DADDY'S BIRTHDAY

My dad’s birthdate was April 29, so we’re celebrating here with a slideshow of his birthday postcards.

Of course, my dad passed away 25 years ago – 1987 – at the age of 83. We think he was 83. We think he was born in 1904. I say, “we think,” because as he was showing me the Dobson family Bible one day, he noticed that his mother listed his birthdate as April 29, 1905. “1905!” he said. “Why, I always thought I was born in 1904. I’m just sure I was born in 1904. Mother must have been confused when she wrote that.”

Hmmmm. Was Grandma Ina confused -- or wasn’t she? Did my dad grow up thinking he was a year older than he actually was? Well, if he thought he was born in 1904, so did the extended family. Postcards from relatives noted his 10^th birthday in 1914, his 11^th in 1915. So, in all likelihood, he was born in 1904.

Before official marriage, birth and death certificates, the family Bible provided a means of noting these important life events, but mistakes occurred, especially if the entry wasn’t made in a timely manner. Once the parents were gone, the Bible was handed to just one child, usually the eldest son, sooner or later making it useless to the rest of the family. The family Bible of John and Lucy Dobson, my great-grandparents, which listed the births of Grandpa Julian and his twin brother Junius, was entrusted to their older brother, Tell, and subsequently lost in a house fire. At the time, criticism ensued over what items were saved (a few clothes) and what was lost (the family Bible). Oh well! As for Julian and Ina’s Bible, it’s not in my keeping and that’s fine.

My dad was born before birth certificates were routinely provided. When people began to need proof of age, obtaining a birth certificate could be problematic for adults if parents, other relatives, or those present at birth were deceased or otherwise unavailable. My dad was lucky. His parents were still alive in 1941 and completed an affidavit stipulating the facts of his birth which was submitted to the State of Idaho. He was then provided a birth certificate. In 1970, Daddy received a certified copy of that affidavit which is among his documents. I learned that my dad was born at home at 4:00 p.m., delivered by Mrs. Cunningham, who was listed as deceased. This was a full-term pregnancy and a live birth. Question 9 on the form is “legitimate?” to which Ina responded “yes.” Grandpa Julian signed the form before notary public Frank Kimble in Orofino. He probably had forms for all six of his children.

[The picture of Vance Dobson was taken upon his graduation from Orofino High School in 1924 when he was 20 years old. I don't recall the circumstances that delayed the completion of his high school education. The location of the picture is a house on Orofino's Kalaspo Avenue where he lived while attending high school.

Oh! And about the postcards in the slideshow to the right -- I was surprised by the feminine nature of the cards. Regardless, a look at the postcard collection and the album itself show that the cards were cherished -- much read and admired -- throughout the years. Perhaps the album was shared with others when times were quiet and entertainment sought here at the farm.] KW