If you have been within earshot of me in the past few months, you’ve heard me talk about All Aboard! The Adventures of Miss Ratcliff. My most recent (7th) book was a work of the heart and a mini-memoir of my paternal grandmother. The nutshell version is this:  A young, single, pioneer school teacher took a year off to travel by train from Kansas through Colorado, Utah, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, and California before returning home to resume teaching in a one-room school house. Alone. In 1913!

What a joy to unpack her journal and discover why she went, what she saw, where she stayed, and who she visited on her cross-country adventure. Interestingly, I knew nothing of Grandma’s trip until I discovered her tiny journal years after she died in 1984. I was fascinated and had to know more. I read and reread her journal looking for clues in what she left unsaid. In the process, I fell in love with the area – especially Idaho where she stayed several months. I had to see that area for myself; to retrace her steps.

Thanks to a supportive husband, we did that about 111 years after Grandma did. Though we only retraced a portion of her trip, I could easily write a sequel. Maybe I’d title it The Misadventures of the McAllisters? Just kidding. But, I will share my thoughts and pics via my blog. You can subscribe at elainemcallister.com if you want to follow our adventures. The book is available on my website or at Amazon, if you’re intrigued. All Aboard! is an enjoyable, easy-to-read book written in a conversational style and sprinkled with wit and wisdom.

Albert & Ann Ratcliff with Eleanor 9, Enos 7, Bertha 4, and Lester 1

Let me begin by introducing my paternal grandmother, Bertha A. Ratcliff. She was born in 1889 in a Quaker Community in North Central Kansas, the third of eight children. In the earliest known photograph of the Albert and Ann (Hollingsworth) Ratcliff family (circa 1893), Grandma is pictured with her older siblings Eleanor and Enos, and their younger brother Lester. Four more children completed the family.

Years later an elderly tribe of seven gathered for the last known picture of the Ratcliff family (circa 1967). My grandmother is in the center, flanked by her sisters. Their youngest sibling, Marion, died much too young on the school playground, as mentioned in my book.

L-R: Loren, Frances, Eli, Bertha, Lester, Eleanor, and Enos Ratcliff

Grandma’s year-long journey began at the Mankato Kansas depot on July 29, 1913. The depot no longer exists, but the rails do. I captured a photo of those west-bound tracks as Jim and I began our adventure.

By delving into Grandma’s journal I discovered the story of a young, strong Quaker maiden. I researched the era, area, and people she visited. Through her meticulous entries, she introduced me to aunts, uncles, and cousins who provided her with a home away from home along the way. I can picture Grandma and her cousins doing chores and fancy work together while also exploring the areas on horseback; and later, in what she called “machines” (automobiles).

I lovingly refer to this genre as Generational Storytelling, since it combines genealogy, pioneer stories of the late 1800s and early 1900s, family history, and Quaker history in a genre more traditionally known as Creative Non-Fiction.

We are a people of stories – all of us – yet so many stories are forever lost because they’re not preserved. Actually, my passion for generational storytelling led me to develop and lead a five-week course to encourage others to capture their own family stories before it’s too late. There are so many valuable lessons to be learned from the lives of those who came before us.

If you’ve already read All Aboard, you know I had many unanswered questions. (If you haven’t, you can find it on my website or Amazon.) Some mysteries were solved during our trip so stay tuned. Some were not. But, one thing is certain…my appreciation of our pioneer ancestors grew exponentially while writing this book. We owe a debt of gratitude to those hard-working, adventurous souls who paved the way.

I’d already visited the states Jim and I visited, HOWEVER I never cease to be amazed by the beautiful country God has created. I love to travel. There’s such diversity. Such amazing vistas. Such incredible scenery. My photos don’t begin to capture the memories in my mind, but I’m forever grateful to have taken this trip. And, God’s beautiful creation can’t be captured with an iPhone, but let me share a glimpse of my favorite shots. Care to guess the locations? I’ll tell you in my next post so stay tuned!

Come along as I unpack our recent adventures while also reflecting on Grandma’s 1913 adventures. I hope you enjoy the trip as much as we did.

Blessings,

Elaine McAllister (c) September 2024

(P.S. My next post will focus on the faces and places we visited AND don’t forget to GUESS the locations of these photographs.)