Among the many surviving categories of historical artifacts, one of the items often treasured by individual collectors is the autograph book. Unless the autograph book contains signatures belonging to the signers of the Declaration of Independence or a local figurehead, most are not coveted by institutions such as museums or historical societies. Some exceptions exist. For instance, Princeton University has a collection of autograph books belonging to former classmen. An online post for The University of Southern Mississippi, states that during and after the Civil War, people often wanted the signatures of war heroes, which prompted them to write letters requesting an autograph. They also attended speeches hoping to get a signature. These Civil War era books would be undoubtedly held in high esteem by institutions, but the majority of autograph books are those that were created by everyday people. Although the average person's autograph book is not yet aggressively sought by institutions, their day will come. This particular find, hailing from Nanuet, New York, may just be the catalyst that brings about this change. Of course, I might just be biased, but I love this little book.

     The cover is worn and torn, but it is a child's book afterall, and children's books don't always survive their owner's care in pristine condition. In any event, the treasure is not the cover but it is the content. The first entry is actually written on the inner cover. It needs to be transcribed as the paste down has darkened with age nearly obliterating the pencil message. If held up to a good light at just the right angle, it can at least be read, if not photographed or scanned.

     This first entry sets the tone for the "Dear Alice" autograph book. It reads, 

Dear Alice

 You will have many friends

  And many lovers

So to give them all room

I shall write on the cover

Your Friend, Margie

    There is another pencil notation under this entry, but it is illegible. Margie did not sign her last name, but she is the exception. It is other signatories found in "Dear Alice:" to which we owe a great deal of debt, for they provide information that Alice does not. The identity of Alice is as much of a mystery as her friend Margie. Alice did enter that she belonged to the class of 1942. She also provided her grade which was the sixth grade. The dated entries all exhibit "1936," giving the reader a precise date. From this information we can surmise Alice was born circa 1925. Some entries within the book tell us these children resided in Nanuet, New York. Yet, Alice did contribute some information, just little about herself.

     Under the page titled, "Folks I Have Met", Alice filled in five names. They are "Leola Fester, John Stepler, Buster Robbins, Mary Ramsay, and DorisTallman." A quick online search discloses little about these acquaintances of Alice, with the exception of Doris Tallman. The following entry, dated April 19, 1940, is in the "Orangetown Telegram and Pearl River Searchlight."

"A birthday surprise party was given to Helen McGill at the home of Miss Doris Tallman, East Orchard street, last Friday night at 8 o'clock. Her friends had gathered before she arrived. The evening was spent playing games. She received many nice prizes. Refreshments were served. Those,who attended were Shirley and Jer.n Tall man, Mary Risco, George McLain, Doris Tallman. Thomas Sherwood, Florence Stixrud, Harland Markell, Rosella Costigan, Eleanor McLeod, Alice McGill, Helen McGill, Thomas Roth, Catherine Gray, Eleanor Me Leod, Mr. and Mrs. Chris Tallman."

     It is fun to speculate that "Dear Alice" might have been Alice McGill, however there is no evidence to support that claim. Under the heading titled "Social," Alice entered "dancing" and "parties," but, that was probably true of many kids at that age. Alice was a fan of baseball, basketball, rollerskating, football, gulf [sic], and tennece [sic]. She did not clarify whether she played or simply enjoyed the sports. Lastly, under the title "Nicknames & Nonsense," we learn that Alice was called "Mickey Mouse," "Mick," and "Al." Beyond these small clues, Alice's identity is a mystery.

     "Dear Alice" contains upwards of thirty entries, which will be released a little at a time. Although I do not intend to do a full genealogical work-up of the names (their families have to have some fun too), I do want to see what can quickly be learned. For fun and reminiscing, Daniel Silverman maintains a "Memory Lane"-type website, which has offerings devoted to Nanuet. Although the hope is that we can lure Silverman to Passed Time, for now we can direct you his way. As far as I can tell, "Dear Alice" is one of the earliest Nanuet offerings, but many of the anecdotes on "Nanuet: The flawed jewel of the Hudson lowlands" are entertaining. 

                                                                                                                                                                                    History Keeper 28 May 2015

Author Pat Earnest, currently lives in Dover, Delaware, with family, both two- and four-footed. I am a published author and history enthusiast, who has great regard for the past and is especially proud of the Pennsylvania German culture. In addition to Passed Time, I am currently working on a project for the German Historical Institutes Immigrant Entrepreneurship: German-American Business Biographies (http://www.ghi-dc.org). I also contribute to various newsletters and I am working on another book...or two. Feel free to email me at pcsuter@passedtime.com for questions, comments, information, a shared love of history, an idea, or just because you want to share on Passed Time, but are too shy about getting started. Be aware, Files with Attachments will not be opened, but immediately deleted.