Bill, Doreen, and Chris Cranston – in the ’40’s.
These photos were provided by Chris Cranston from an album his mother created in the 1940’s and 1950’s.
Read More…Category: William Cranston
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 […]
Read More…Helen, Bill & Charlie
Rare photo of Uncle Bill in his Canadian Air Force uniform.
Read More…Bill Cranston, Helen Cranston, & Wood Jett – 1936
Found a photo of Bill, Helen and Wood taken in 1936
Read More…Bill Cranston – 1942
This is a photo of Bill Cranston taken in Canada in 1942. According to Helen, he was at the “Air Observer School.”
Read More…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 […]
Read More…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 […]
Read More…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. […]
Read More…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 […]
Read More…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, […]
Read More…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 […]
Read More…William Randolph Cranston
This was written by Helen Cranston Peterson about “Uncle Bill.”
Read More…Tip’s Story – Ole Melby as Written by John Ashford ~ 2003
These are Tip’s memories of Marion’s, Helen’s, Bill’s and his stepfather, Ole Melby.
Read More…Tip’s Story – Giles Campbell as Written by John Ashford ~ 2003
Giles Campbell was the grandfather of Marion, Helen, Bill and Tip. He was married to Nellie and they are both buried in the cemetery just west of Camp Crook, SD. Photo of Giles as a young man provided by Jean Melby. ~ CCJ
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