Do you have a radio? What is your house built of? Did you work yesterday? The 1931 Canadian census just came out, and I was struck by the meager salaries and months of unemployment our family endured. I thought I would write about how we made it through. I included a family chart at the bottom to help you keep track of everyone mentioned (go to bottom for family charts; see posts Robertson Family, Spence Family, Rushton Family Pedigree Charts, Descendant Charts) My grandmother Bessie Spence Robertson often spoke about how she managed a household during the Depression. Every penny was put to use. She planned with such precision that "at the end of the week, I didn't even have a nickel left over to buy a Coke." There was swimming at Valley Stream Lake State Park not far away, but it cost 10 cents after 9 in the morning. The Robertson kids went swimming, but only before 9 when it was free. Of course it wasn't hot out that ...
Photos, stories, and memorabilia across generations