Social Networking Way Back Before Facebook

Way back before the era of Facebook people used to gather in parlors, saloons and hotel lobbies for afternoon socializing and networking. Instead of "writing on each other's walls" they'd bring leather bound memory albums with them and their pals would compose poetic verses written in impeccable penmanship.  I was lucky enough to acquire my great great great great (and maybe another great?) grandmother's Album of Memory from 1859.  It's a 150 year old version of Facebook except with better grammar and none of those annoying 25 Things About Me surveys.

This is my favorite page.  In 1863, Captain John Willen, Band Master of Lee's Rangers went to great pains inking an original song and music for my ggggg grandmother.  He obviously had the hots for her.

There's always a wise guy in the bunch.  Here we have a young suitor trying to impress with his wit and unusual handwriting.  Either that or he had a few too many whiskeys. "Woman O woman how divine. I wish I had one I could call mine. She'd soothe my sorrows, heal my woes. Pull my hair and wash my nose." 

   

Here's some good advice if you're seeking to unlock the secret to the holy springs of true womanhood. 

Comments

[TwoPotatoThreePotato]

With pen to parchment, of course Fandral sent it, that telepathy that flowered indescribable within, and without.

It was a language that few--only two, Fandral was certain--could understand, because one had to be writing, or to be written upon, to understand it; as he'd written with his fingers, upon the tablet, that sacred surface that she was.

Francesca was fluent in that language, and Fandral was not only sure that no one else spoke it more fluently than he and she, he resolved that he would never speak or write it to another. It would be their form of Esperanto, their Latin, a tongue dead or unintelligible to nearly all of the world, yet gloriously, magically alive to Fran and him.

[Psychochick]

Fascinating.

[Red]

What a great keepsake and reminder of bygone ways. (sniff).

[Beans]

Such a fantastic heirloom! More families should think of hanging onto such treasures.

[ChaosbyDesign]

Love the post and the letters, wondeful hierloom. It all makes me think though I am a direct ancestor to the suitors, and in the present, it is you to persue.

Very Rant Casey

xoxoxxxxxO
L

[Chansmom]

Thank you for sharing such a treasure!

[Renee Khan]

What a wonderful book and you are so lucky to have it.

Renee xoxox

[Vern]

You've found an Uncle Dirty wanna-be in a Treasured Heirloom!

[MJed Lance VT]

While things were much more formal during this era, the end result seems to be as true then as it is today. People communicating with one another; some looking for romance, others interested in making people laugh, and in general, people engaging in the art of expression. How much we have changed, but yet how much we have stayed the same.

[The Courteous Chihuahua]

Geez, you are so lucky to have that!! Are you sure that says "wash my nose" and not mash my nose??

[Sexo Amateur Esposas]

now I'll stay in touch..

[Blood Squirting Prop]

ehh. attractive :)

[Janus Spank Story]

now I know it..

[Dildo Plump Sexy]

well.. it's like I said!