Friday, February 28, 1936 - Mother Got Paid Tonight

"Mother got paid tonight.  Grandpa Kenfield fixed Joyce's chair.  Mother and Daddy went to the show.  Jack went over to Junior's and played.  Bill went down the hill with is schoolmates then he went to his [Junior's?] house."


Junior is another friend I don't know about.  I guess it's time to plan more researching!

 

Wednesday, February 26, 1936 - Joyce's Perfume Bottle

 

"Jack is sick in bed with a cold.  I went to school today.  Joyce has got a perfume bottle and lets everyone smell it.  Daddy went after Mother.  Jack feels better now.  Mother made Joyce's doll a bonnet."


I'm guessing Joyce was given an empty perfume bottle to play with.  I wonder if Marie knitted, crocheted, or sewed that doll's bonnet?

Wednesday, February 19, 1936 - The Busy Bee Club

 

"Mother didn't go to work this morning because she didn't feel very good.  Mother and Joyce went over to Server's to the busy bee club.  Daddy went to Grandma Kenfields."

This was the second day in a row that Marie didn't go to work, yet she attended the Busy Bee Club.  I am wondering if she was having "female issues."  Searching for Busy Bee Clubs online yielded lots of results, mostly women's church groups not limited to any particular denomination, but also as social reform groups.

Tuesday, February 18, 1936 - Another Letter from WKBZ

 

"Mother didn't go to work today.  Marie didn't come to school.  I got a letter from W. K. B. Z. Spelling bee.  Mother is making Joyce a neckscraf [sic].  Mother also made a hat.  Mother made the beds for me.  I don't know if I am going to the Spelling bee."

Will Marie get to participate in the radio station's spelling bee?  Or will she be disappointed like last time?

Monday, February 17, 1936 - Candy and Pennies

 

"Jack's teacher gave every pupil candy.  Marie didn't come to school this morning.  Joyce is learning to cut paper with her shears.  I have been saving my pennys.  I have 26¢ now.  Jack has 15¢ ($1.15) now."

I used this Inflation Calculator to figure out that 26 cents is about $4.89 today. Fifteen cents in 1936 is about $2.82 today, and $1.15 is $21.64 in today's money.  I am wondering if Jack had a dollar bill in addition to 15 pennies.

Doing a little digging on the internet told me I could get a 2.5 oz. Snickers barfor five cents, and a loaf of bread for nine cents in the 1930s.

Saturday, February 15, 1936 - Trying to Take Mr. Taylor Home

 

"Mother and Daddy are trying to take Mr. Taylor home.  I hope they don't get the car stuck.  Mother and Daddy got home alright.  Mother bought Joyce a pair of shears.  She dosen't know how to use them.  Mother bought us some candy."

Between the deep snow, the bitter cold, and the rural roads, I can imagine trying to travel anywhere by car would be an anxious venture.

Sunday, February 9, 1936 - A Homemade Puzzle

 

"Jack, Joyce, and I played Sunday School.  It is so cold out that they didn't have Sunday School at our School.  Jack and I didn't know what to play.  Mother cut a picture into peices.  She gave it to us.  We tried to put it together.  It was a hard puzzle to put together.  Mother and Daddy went o Grandma Kenfields."


It's obvious that the snow and cold are starting to take a toll.  No school, no Sunday School.  I'm not sure if Sunday School was held at the school building or the church, after reading Shirley's entry.  I'm guessing that the frequent visits by Bill and Marie to the Kenfields were to help out the elderly couple with the snow removal and to check up on them.

Wednesday, February 5, 1936 - Calendars for the Bedrooms

 

"I went down to Elsies and ate supper.  I made a calendar for Bob, Bill, and Jack to hang upstairs.  I made one for our Bedroom.  I gave Joyce my crayons so as to color.  I didn't have to go to school today.  The snow is so deep and the roads not plowed, so they shut the school up."

What is interesting about this entry is that it explains the sleeping arrangements.  The boys slept "upstairs", which I believe was probably a half story or attic, given the photos we have of the house.  There is a window in the south gable.  It appears that Shirley and Joyce shared a bedroom.  Where did Bryan and Marie sleep?  Did they share a room with the girls or did they sleep on a fold out sofa in the living room?  Were there two small bedrooms on the main floor?

Zillow states this house has only one bedroom and one bath, and 552 square feet, but then again, it states the house was built in 1938, which is obviously wrong!.  The square feet is probably considered usable space only and the upstairs is likely not counted.  Another real possibility is that there was no bathroom at the time my family lived there.  They likely had an outhouse and used a tin tub for bathing; and then later on, one of the bedrooms was converted to a bathroom.

Sunday, February 2, 1936 - Sunday School, Paper Dolls, and Candy

 

"I went to Sunday School today.  We bought a Sunday paper.  I cut the paper dolls out of it.  Jack and I went to Grandma Lewis.  She gave us peanuts and candy.  She gave me some paper dolls for Joyce and I to play with.  Bob gave us a penny to buy candy.  Mother gave us some candy too."

Saturday, February 1, 1936 - Time with Aunt Elsie

 

"Mother had to make her coat shorter.  I went down to Elsie's house.  While I was down there she washed a few clothes and baked biscuits and a cake and moped the floor.  Mother and Daddy went down town.  I had supper at Elsie's.  Angie got a job, he has to work in the after noon till 8 or 11  P.M.  I stayed at Elsie's about four hours.  Mother bought me a pair of mittens.  Joyce got shoes and broom."

At only four-foot-eleven, my great-grandmother Marie had to make a lot of her clothing shorter, I imagine!

It sounds like Angie worked a swing shift.  I'm sure Elsie appreciated Shirley's company (and probable help) while her husband was at work.

Was that a toy broom for Joyce?

Tuesday, January 28, 1936 - Mid Term Results

 

"We got our mid term tests back today.  I got B on mine.  I got a new tablet at school today.  Mother and Dad gave Joyce, Jack, and I a penny.  Jack pulled us over to the store on the sled.  Joyce had a sucker.  Jack and I had a candy bar.  Mother and Daddy went over to Grandma and Grandpa Kenfeild."

Wednesday, January 22, 1936 - Shirley is Ill

 

"I didn't go to school today because I was sick.  Joyce brought me some papers to look at.  I stayed in bed.  When we were eating supper, I layed on he davenport.  Joyce called for me to come to the table.  I didn't come.  I was hungry at suppertime but I didn't eat very much."

Joyce had had an earache only five days earlier.  Perhaps this was a shared illness.

Monday, January 20, 1936 - A Cold Walk Home from School

 

"It was snowing outdoors.  We had to face the snow on the way home.  I was walking with Marie Server home.  We got cold and stop to her sister's house.  She has one boy and one girl.  The boy's name is Donald and the girl's name is Gloria.  Donald is five days younger than Joyce."


Marie's older sister, Genevieve, was married to Graydon Brooks Wheeler (b. c. 1907).  Donald (b. 31 December 1933, if he was five days younger than Joyce) and Gloria (b. c. 1936) were the first of at least five children born to them, according to the 1940 Federal Census.  Mary Ann was born c. 1937, followed by Lillian (b. c. 1938) and Thomas (b. c. August or September 1939).  The latter two children were named for Genevieve and Marie's parents.

Sunday, January 19, 1936 - A Letter from WKBZ

"I didn't go to Sunday School because I didn't get up in time to get ready.  Yesterday I got a letter from W.K.B.Z. Spelling bee.  Billy got the mail and mislaid my letter, but he found it in is [sic] pocket.  Jack is in bed, he doesn't feel very good.  Joyce had three or four pennys, but I can't find one.

A mislaid letter and mislaid pennies!  I wonder what the spelling letter from the radio station was all about.  There's some history online about radio station WKBZ. 

Saturday, January 18, 1936 - A Wedding Supper

"We went to Don and Bertha's house to eat a wedding supper.  We gave the supper for Angie and Elsie Robbins.  We gave them a basket of food.  I put a coffee cup in for their coffee pot.  Our cousin Don wanted to hug Joyce.  Joyce didn't want him to."


Angelo Merrick Robbins, II married Elsie L. Vogt on January 17, 1936 in Muskegon County.  I have not yet been able to obtain a copy of their marriage record.  It would be of interest to me who the witnesses and officiant were.

Don Robbins Jr. ("Sonny"), Don Sr. and Bertha's first child, was almost 18 months old.  Joyce, the youngest of Bill and Marie's family, had just turned two years old a few weeks previously.

 

Friday, January 17, 1936 - Three Movies

 

"I did not go to school this morning because Joyce had a ear ache, but I went this after noon.  I went to the Strand to see Shirley Temple in the littlest Rebel, and our gang Frollies [sic], and The little mice.  The little mice were in color."


I could not find a movie or cartoon named The Little Mice by searching Google, IMBD, or Wikipedia.  I did find a short color cartoon called Three Lazy Mice, released July 15, 1936 which can be viewed on YouTube here. 

According to CinemaTreasures.org, the Strand Theatre, 22-27 East Broadway Avenue, was built in Muskegon Heights in 1923 in a mixed-use retail and apartment building.  It had one screen and 843 seats.  A photo of what it probably looked like when Shirley attended movies there can be see here.  Since 2001, attempts have been made to restore and renovate the historic building.

Friday, January 10, 1936 - A Spell Down and Sledding

 

"Today at school we had a spell down. our side won. next week we are going to have a mid-term-test.  Bob, Jack, I and Lyle Server and Marie Server went down the hill.  I took Joyce out doors today.  We went down the hill on Lly's toboggan.  he made it himself.  Billy Bought a toy airplane to make."

This photo of Joyce playing in the snow, Winter of 1935-6,
may well have been photographed on January 10.

Friday, January 3, 2020 - I hope daddy gets a job

 

"Jack and I put snow in some of the cracks in the snow house. Jack and I played cards. Billy popped corn. Joyce had a orange and gave Mother, Jack, and I a peice of it. She's very unselfish. Mother is working at the Amason. Today was pay-day. I hope daddy gets a job."

It was poignant that at 10 years old, Shirley knew when payday was, and that her wish was for her father to get employment.

Thursday, January 2, 1936 - The Snow House

 

"today Bob, Jack, and I built a snow house. We have every thing but the roof built. Jack, Bill, and I had a snow ball fight. Mother and daddy went to the show. Daddy and Jack and I took down our Christmas tree. Joyce wanted to scribble in this diary. Joyce went to bed tonigt at 9.30 P.M. instead of 8.30 P.M."

This photo of Bob Robbins was taken in the backyard
 of the Austin Street house, January 1936.
It's possible that is the snow house behind him and to his right.

Shirley's Immediate Family

 

The Robbins Family
Back row, left to right: Jack, Bryan, Bill Jr.
Front: Marie, Bob with Joyce, Shirley
October 1942 - six years after the diary was written
5 Acres farm, Coopersville, Michigan

In nearly every entry of her diary, Shirley mentions either one or both of her parents and at least one sibling.  Her family was obviously an important part of her everyday life.  Here's a little background about the family she grew up in and how old they all were at the time of this diary.

Shirley's dad was William Bryan Robbins, Sr.  Born June 5, 1896 in Hesperia, Michigan (which lies on the Newaygo-Oceana County border), he was named for that year's Democratic presidential nominee  and famed orator, William Jennings Bryan.  Sometimes he was called Bryan and sometimes he was called Bill.  He came with his parents and siblings to Muskegon Heights, Michigan from Ensley Township in Newaygo County around 1916.  I'm calling him Bryan in this diary when I mention him, to clarify that it's not Bill Jr.  He was 39 and 40 years old during the year this diary was written.

Shirley's mother was Marie Lewis.  She was born May 15, 1902 in Whitehall, Muskegon County, Michigan.  Her family moved to Muskegon Heights around 1913.  She was 33 and 34 years old the year this diary was written.

Bryan and Marie met when Marie's maternal grandfather, John Wilkinson Sr., died September 10, 1917.  Bryan was working as a chauffer and drove the hearse for John's funeral.  They started courting the next few years, through Bryan's service during World War I in North Russia as part of the American-North Russia Expeditionary Forces (read more about his service at my AnceStories blog here).  When Bryan returned to the U.S. after his service, he and Marie married on Christmas Day 1919 at her parents' home at 1132 Hoyt Street, Muskegon Heights.  They lived there until after the birth of their first two children.  They had been married 16 years the year the diary was written, and celebrated their 17th anniversary the last week of 1936.

Robert Louis Robbins ("Bob") was their first child, born September 21, 1920 in Muskegon Heights.  He was my paternal grandfather.  Two years later in the same city, William Bryan Robbins, Jr. ("Billy") was born, on May 22, 1922.  Bob was 15 and 16, and Billy was 13 and 14 the year this diary was written.

Marie, with Shirley and Jack
Probably around 1929 or 1930

In 1923, the couple was enumerated for the Michigan census of WWI Veterans in the city of Muskegon, which borders Muskegon Heights on the north and west.  In 1924, they lived in Conklin, Ottawa County for a short time, before returning to Muskegon by the summer of 1925, where Shirley Marie Robbins was born August 14, followed by Lloyd Jack Robbins ("Jack") on June 3, 1927.  The family was enumerated in 1930 15 416 East Broadway, Norton Township, Muskegon County. However, Joyce Elaine, the "bonus baby", was born in Muskegon on December 26, 1933, 87 years ago today.  They lived on Broadway at least until 1935, then moved to their home on Austin Street, at what is now 2874 Austin, where this diary takes place.  Shirley was 10 and 11, and Jack was 8 and 9 when the diary was written.  Joyce was mostly two years old in 1936 and turned three the last week that the diary was written.

Joyce and Bryan (with doll), 1935,
 at the house on Austin Street,
 where this diary takes place.

At the time of this diary, Bryan was an unemployed, disabled WWI veteran.  He was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and one of the triggers of his disorder was sudden, loud noise.  Because of this, it was nearly impossible for him to work in his trade, automobile mechanics, for a while.  In addition, there was wide-spread unemployment due to the Great Depression.  Bryan stayed home and cared for toddler Joyce, while Marie worked at the Amazon Knitting Mill, also known as the Amazon Hosiery Mill, in Muskegon.  Bob contributed to the family income by working on a farm in Grant, Newaygo County, about 30 miles east.  Billy, Shirley, and Jack attended the local elementary school (I'm still researching which one).  Billy had a paper route and Shirley did a lot of the household chores and even prepared meals and baked.

In skimming through the diary, I have not come across a mention of any family pets.  But I've seen photos of a dog named Jack taken around this time.  That has got to be confusing, given the fact that Shirley's younger brother had the same name!

Joyce with Bryan and a dog ("Jack"?)
on the back porch of the Austin Street house, 1934.
Notice the electric wringer washer.