Social Media: Newspaper Social News

When our ancestors lived in small towns, their weekly newspapers were usually full of news about the social activities of their residents. The Anaconda Standard, published daily, was no exception. The eight- to twelve-page newspaper covered local, state, and national news. The Anaconda news usually began on page 4 and would run a couple of pages. There were also pages concerning other local towns, such as Butte and Missoula. On the Anaconda pages, there would be short briefs from the column “About the City.” These papers covered news of individuals, clubs, schools, and churches.

My great-aunt, Ethel Sullivan, who was the next youngest of five children of John H. Sullivan and Anna M. Gleeson, was mentioned several times in this newspaper, sometimes with her younger sister, Anna Sullivan. Below are excerpts of articles found about her as a child and teenager.

In June 1902, she was part of the celebration of Corpus Christi Day at St. Paul’s Catholic Church. It said the girls wore white dresses, stockings, shoes, and veils, and carried flowers. They marched in procession to the church, where they renewed their baptismal vows.[1] Ethel was born on 11 February 1891, so she would have been eleven years old.

The society page on 13 March 1904 gave an account of the birthday party of three-year-old May Ethel Layton and Ethel and her sister Annie, were guests. Normally, birthdays were not celebrated during Lent, and this article stated that May Ethel insisted a party was due.[2]

Ethel was listed on the honor roll at St. Angela’s Academy and a graduate of the eighth grade.[3]

In February 1905, she was invited to a sleigh party given by Miss Evelyn Boland along with her sister, Annie.[4]

Later that year in June, she was part of the play given by pupils from St. Angela’s academy, called “Joan of Arc.” It was held at the Margaret Theater and Ethel played one of the cousins.[5]

A party, given by Miss Edna Tuchscherer for her twelfth birthday, was enjoyed by her friends. They played games and had refreshments. Both Ethel and her sister, Annie, were guests.[6]

Ethel and her sister, Anna, were invited to a party at Rosemary Hamilton’s home where games and music were the entertainment, after which refreshments were served.[7]

In June 1907, her sister, Anna Sullivan, graduated from the eighth grade at St. Angela Academy. Anna and Ethel were listed on the honor roll, and it was noted that Ethel had the highest average in each department. Anna recited “The Bugle Song” by Alfred Tennyson and was part of the German class performance.[8]

The best article I found was about the Anaconda High School graduation in 1910, which included a photograph of the graduating class.[9]

In September 1910, Ethel was in the performance, “The Lesson with a Fan,” a Japanese song and dance.[10]

#52Ancestors: Week 6: Social Media

This is my sixth year working on this year-long prompt, hosted by Amy Johnson Crow (https://www.amyjohnsoncrow.com/) at Generations Cafe. I write each week in one of my two blogs, either Mam-ma’s Southern Family or My Trails into the Past. I have enjoyed writing about my children’s ancestors in new and exciting ways.

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[1] “Large Class Taken In,” Anaconda Standard, 12 Jun 1903, p. 5.

[2] “May Ethel Layton,” Anaconda Standard, 13 Mar 1904, p. 9.

[3] “Many Parents Present,” Anaconda Standard, 22 Jun 1904, p. 5.

[4] “Society,” Anaconda Standard, 19 Feb 1905, Sect. 2, p. 6, col. 2.

[5] “Joan of Arc Drama,” Anaconda Standard, 18 Jun 1905, p. 3.

[6] “Pleasant Birthday Party,” Anaconda Standard, 1 Oct 1905, p. 4, col. 3.

[7] “Society,” Anaconda Standard, 19 Aug 1906, p. 10, col. 2.

[8] “Commencement Exercises at St. Angela’s Academy,” Anaconda Standard, 27 Jun 1907, p. 6.

[9] “Anaconda High School Graduating Class,” Anaconda Standard, 11 June 1910, p. 4.

[10] “Drills, Marches and Dances in The Pixies,” Anaconda Standard, 26 Sep 1910, p. 2.

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