This find was in the basement of my grandparent’s house. It’s an autograph album that belong to my grandmother. It’s not filled with autographs of the rich and famous but I found it fascinating. My grandmother is on the right pictured with one of her sisters, Armeda.
The first date in the book is January 13, 1901. It says: Don’t say no except the first opportunity you get, lest in years and years to (word I can’t make out) you may be single yet.
The second entry was written by my grandmother:
George wrote to her: Love me little, love me long, do not flirt, for it is wrong.
This one says: When you go to church and don’t get back till late, remember it is bedtime and don’t stand by the gate.
My grandmother’s sister Sasie wrote this: Strive not to live long, but to live well, how long we live, not years but actions tell.
My grandmother’s cousin gave her this advice: May the bible be your guide, Kind words your delight, don’t buggy ride with pretty boys or spark late on Sunday night. This one made me laugh.
There are more but I’ll leave you with this last one from her teacher: May your joys be as deep as the ocean, and your sorrows as light as the foam — is the wish of your friend and teacher.
Bits of wisdom from a century ago. Most of it still holds up! Did you ever have an autograph book?
Sherry Harris Books 
I had one from first grade, still have it somewhere. But what I love is your family’s names: Is it Ursula? And Armeda and Sasie. Wow. Permission to use in my historical? ;^)
My grandma’s family did have interesting names! Of course you can use them. Interestingly, my grandmother was called Zula instead of Ursula. I didn’t know for many years that her name was actually Ursula. Sadly, I don’t know why and don’t think there is anyone left to ask.
Truly an amazing and wonderful find.
A little piece of history!
I had an autograph book I took to camp one year. New friends signed and some included addresses so we could correspond. None of them wrote anything poetic like in your grandmother’s book!
I have to dig around and see if I can find the one I had when I was around sixth grade.
I have an autograph book from elementary school. My dad gave it to me before he took me to see The Partridge Family. He was on duty at the Civic Center and was able to get me David Cassidy’s autograph. I really wanted Shirley Jones’s signature because I’d seen the movie Oklahoma so many times and listened to the recording my parents had nearly every night. Several years ago I met Peter Tork (of The Monkees) and had left my handy autograph album at home. He had a Sharpie so I let him sign across my heart. My daughter was impressed, but my husband was not amused!
What a fun story, Kim! You have so many great stories. I loved Peter Tork when I was a kid and just saw one of those TV stations that show old shows has episodes of The Monkees.