What Meney Meney Mothers There Are With Whom I Would Not Trade: Scanning & Transcribing the 1916 Diary of Frederika Heinen

Laney Collier scanned and transcribed a 1916 diary owned by Caroline Gilson, passed down from her mother, Arlene Abel Luchsinger. The diary was kept by Caroline’s great-great grandmother, Frederika Heinen. Frederika recorded her daily activities, the weather, community events, household activities, and family member interactions. Laney and Caroline created a manuscript transcription style guide and appendices to aid in the reading of the diary. Diary research included women and diary-keeping practices, personal communication, Kansas history, and history of Clay County/Green, Kansas. This diary serves as a historical artifact that tells the story of a family and community in 1916.