Oyster Stew – Christmas Eve

Apparently there was some sort of tradition in some of the Cranston clan families for having oyster stew on Christmas eve. Certainly I remember having it with Helen and Wood, and it looks like the same tradition was prevalent with the Painters and Melbys. So . . . . Here’s the recipe that I found […]

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Who Was “Auntie Pearl?”

Marion and Helen stayed with “Auntie Pearl” in LaGrange, Illinois where they attended and graduated from Lyons Township High School. “Auntie Pearl” was Louise Pearl Burnside and daughter of Marcus Terry Burnside and Maude Taliaferro Cranston who was some 14 years older than her younger brother, Christopher “Doc” Cranston. Marcus and Maude married in 1883.when […]

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Bill Cranston – CCJ’s Memories

Uncle Bill. That’s who he was and who he will always be to me. He had a terrific smile and was always fun to be around. I knew him when I was a little kid on the ranch in North Dakota, but got to know him better during the four years after we moved to […]

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Bad Man’s Butter!

When Marion, Helen, Bill and Tip lived with Giles and Nellie Campbell at (I think) the Shaw place, Helen, Bill and Tip were playing down by the Grand River.   One of them had to go to the bathroom (#2) . . . . went . . . and then covered the “stuff” with dirt. […]

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Bill Cranston Gets “Steamed!”

Sometime around 1949 or 1950, I was at the 7-11 ranch staying with “Uncle Bill” and “Aunt Doreen” and having fun with Chris. Uncle Bill had just purchased a new Lionel “O” gauge electric train and set it up with the track running completely around the living room. He was very proud of it. Somehow […]

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Photos from Chris Cranston

These photos were uploaded by cousin Chris Cranston . . . please make comments if you identify specific individuals.  I’ll do the best I can.  ~ CC Tip and Bill sometime in the ’30’s Tip, Bessie, Bill, Wood Jett, Ole Melby OK Cousins – Who are these folks?  Use the “Comments” below.  ~ CC Bess, […]

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Death of Bill Cranston – April 18, 1951

On April 18, 1951, William Randolph Cranston (Bill) was killed in a two car crash near the town of Tyndall, South Dakota.  He was riding in the back seat of a Cadillac and the driver attempted to pass a car on a hill but met another car coming up the hill.  The driver swerved to […]

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