Lillian's Diaries: Whispers From Galena's Past
In 1913 a sixteen-year-old girl commences a series of diaries, and decades later, a very lucky ancestor discovers the written treasures in her great-great-grandparents' home. Lillian's Diaries chronicles the daily life of Lillian, her sister Ruby, parents Charles and Amelia Dittmar Trudgian, and other close family members, neighbors and friends. The personal journals span seven years, from 1913 to 1920, giving readers a rare glimpse of life on a thriving family farm in Guilford Township, just outside of Galena, Illinois.The book is chronologically arranged with chapters headed by year, and within each year entries are double-spaced by date. Lillian's spellings, corrections, punctuation and terminology are intact, exactly as originally written. A brief introduction offers background information and some family history. The author explains her connection to Lillian Trudgian. Sheryl Jones' great-grandfather and Lillian's father were brothers. Included in the introduction is a relationship list of "Lillian's People" arranged alphabetically by the same names used in her entries. Immediate family members are identified in a few photos scattered through the text.Much of the book records the rhythms of rural life. There are endless farm and household chores and hardships to endure. Papa raises grain crops and livestock creating seasonal cycles of labor. Women pitch in with the men while cooking, sewing, cleaning, gardening and putting up everything from nuts to chow-chow. Several recipes discovered in Lillian's kitchen are reprinted in the book including chow-chow, a green tomato relish. Thankfully there is also time for leisure reading, parties, socials, picnics, church services, visiting, and shopping excursions to Galena, a prosperous town that meets all of the family's needs.Although the scope of the diaries is local, events of the time are observed. The young author is not shy about voicing her opinion when West Galena goes "wet" endorsing the sale of liquor. She calls it a "disgrace." During World War I Lillian sadly follows the flow of young soldiers to training camps and the front. As she grows older new freedom is gained when she learns to drive a car and votes for the first time.Lillian was not a genealogist, but she fortunately recorded many local births, marriages, deaths and property sales. She also lists names of attendees at box socials and other events. Names of dear ones who died and dates of their funerals are given. Genealogists with ancestors from Guilford Township should definitely check the surname index at the back of the book. The index contains over two hundred alphabetically arranged names with changes made to correct spellings.  Each surname is accompanied by diary year, not page number, the only shortcoming of the book. --"Reviewed in the Illinois State Genealogical Society Quarterly (Vol. 41: No. 4, Winter 2009) by Arlene Lane, Book Review Editor."