Post by Betsy Warren on Dec 2, 2007 15:11:42 GMT -6
Zelma Gladys Hird, born on April 3rd, 1908, was James and Ethel Hird's first child. At the time, the little family was living in a sod dugout home near Sumner, NE, and later moved to a frame house in the area.
During the winter of 1908, it was difficult to keep the house warm and little Zelma became ill. She never recovered, and sadly died from what is believed to be pneumonia on May 22nd, 1909. The grave, baby photos, and sparse family stories are the only remaining record of this sweet little girl, as any birth and death certificates have long since vanished over time.
One can only imagine the heartbreak James and Ethel experienced during that time. Ethel rarely spoke of Zelma to her later children, so it can be assumed that the memory of her first little girl was too heartwrenching for her to speak of.
I often wonder about little Zelma, and like to imagine what she would have been like had she lived. Her baby photo, one of only two photos existing of her, shows her as a happy child. In fact, her baby photo is so similar to my own baby photo that it gives me chills. I imagine that we would have looked very much alike, and that brings me great joy to think about.
Zelma's grave, at Box Elder Cemetary near Cumro, NE. Inscription says: "Our Darling" Zelma G. Dau. of James and Ethel Hird
b. April 3, 1908, d. May 22, 1909
Zelma's grave is situated directly behind her grandmother's grave, Josephine Rumbaugh McGinnis (Ethel's mother).
During the winter of 1908, it was difficult to keep the house warm and little Zelma became ill. She never recovered, and sadly died from what is believed to be pneumonia on May 22nd, 1909. The grave, baby photos, and sparse family stories are the only remaining record of this sweet little girl, as any birth and death certificates have long since vanished over time.
One can only imagine the heartbreak James and Ethel experienced during that time. Ethel rarely spoke of Zelma to her later children, so it can be assumed that the memory of her first little girl was too heartwrenching for her to speak of.
I often wonder about little Zelma, and like to imagine what she would have been like had she lived. Her baby photo, one of only two photos existing of her, shows her as a happy child. In fact, her baby photo is so similar to my own baby photo that it gives me chills. I imagine that we would have looked very much alike, and that brings me great joy to think about.
Zelma's grave, at Box Elder Cemetary near Cumro, NE. Inscription says: "Our Darling" Zelma G. Dau. of James and Ethel Hird
b. April 3, 1908, d. May 22, 1909
Zelma's grave is situated directly behind her grandmother's grave, Josephine Rumbaugh McGinnis (Ethel's mother).