QUILT INDEX RECORD

2-33-9

Where are the records for this quilt housed?

Signature Quilt Pilot Project

Who documented this quilt?

Signature Quilt Project Public Submission

This is a:

Finished quilt

Quilt's title:

Navy Signature Quilt 1941-42

Names for quilt's pattern in common use:

embroidered names

How wide is the quilt?

66.5 onches or 168.9 centimetrs

How long is the quilt?

90 inches or 228.6 centimeters

What color is the quilt?

Beige or Tan; Blue or Navy; Gold

Type of inscription:

Date; Initials; Message; Multiple Names; Place

What is inscribed on the quilt?

The names with an *asterick are in the circle at the center of the block. I have put a question mark (?) beside those names for those which I am not quite certain of the spelling. R1-BL1 Howard* Adele R1-BL1 Smith Bessie R1-BL1 Newman Elizabeth R1-BL1 Price Hazel R1-BL1 Glancy Jennie R1-BL1 Millburg? Anne R1-BL1 Pow_e(?) Marjorie R1-BL1 Hall Lola R1-BL1 Duffy Lillian R1-BL1 Voeth Clothild R1-BL1 Bond Sarah R1-BL2 Whitmer* Margaret R1-BL2 Jones Grace-1941 R1-BL2 Thompson Clara R1-BL2 Thomlin Catherine R1-BL2 A__e(?) Lennis R1-BL2 Thompson Betty R1-BL2 Fowler Ella R1-BL2 Krause Pearl R1-BL2 Phelps Laura R1-BL2 Foster Helen R1-BL2 Foster Jack R1-BL3 Townsend* Blanche Laura R1-BL3 Rubin Harry R1-BL3 Freeman Jean R1-BL3 Gardner Agnes R1-BL3 Freeman Robert R1-BL3 Wilson Ann R1-BL3 Gardner Jessie Indianapolis, Ind. R1-BL3 Hale Mrs. Irvin R1-BL3 Heilbereger Christine R1-BL3 Harrell Mabel R1-BL3 Reynolds Walter E. R1-BL3 Woods J. T. Chief of Police, Norfolk, Va. R1-BL3 DeMilt Margaret Brooklyn, NY R1-BL3 Townsend Mrs. J. R. R1-BL3 DeMilt Sr. Milton Brookly, NY R1-BL3 Killiem? Ruby Detroit, Mich. R1-BL3 De Mitt Jr. Milton Brookly, NY R1-BL3 Flemming Christine Washington, D.C. R1-BL3 Hall Josephine R1-BL3 Kirch Nellie R1-BL4 Reynolds* Renie Josephine R1-BL4 Reynolds Teddy R1-BL4 Reynolds Malcolm R1-BL4 Reynolds Rose R1-BL4 Reynolds Robert R1-BL4 Reynolds Alice R1-BL4 Reynolds Lewis R1-BL4 Reynolds Pearl R1-BL4 Reynolds Ruth R1-BL4 Reynolds Harry R1-BL4 Reynolds Minnie R1-BL5 Diani* Julia R1-BL5 Harris Patricia R1-BL5 Long Doris R1-BL5 Long Mrs. J. L. R1-BL5 Beamon Mr. R1-BL5 Ellen Mary R1-BL5 Morgan M. R1-BL5 Carty Mary R1-BL5 Barber Jane R1-BL5 Warrington Bruce R2-BL1 Slaughter* Elsie R2-BL1 Miskell Ella R2-BL1 Slaughter Norma R2-BL1 Smithwick(?) Martha R2-BL1 Smithwich(?) Jo---n? R2-BL1 Holland Eric R2-BL1 Holland Bertha R2-BL1 Jackson Diana R2-BL1 Smith Mable R2-BL1 Gilderlure(?) Catherine R2-BL1 Smith Tommie R2-BL2 Whitmer* Margaret R2-BL2 Wynn B. J. R2-BL2 Goldstein M. R2-BL2 Whitmer C. F. R2-BL2 Fowler L. F. R2-BL2 Massey T. A. R2-BL2 Thomas N. A. R2-BL2 Richards Lulu R2-BL2 Wynn Grace R2-BL2 Rinnsburg(?) J. H. R2-BL2 Driveena? C. B. R2-BL3 Townsend* Blanche Laura R2-BL3 Wilson Katherine R2-BL3 Lang Catherine R2-BL3 Land Francis R2-BL3 Lang Winkie R2-BL3 Morhan Clara R2-BL3 Williams Ellen R2-BL3 Portlock Josephine R2-BL3 Chippendale W. H. R2-BL3 Townsend Peggy Bear R2-BL3 Strecter? Roy R2-BL3 Wilson John R2-BL3 Ballard John R. R2-BL3 Townsend Honey Rose R2-BL3 Rattie Lila P. R2-BL3 Whitmer Charles F. Phoebus, Va. R2-BL4 Seager* Anne Lou R2-BL4 Lufsey Elizabeth R2-BL4 Lapetina Bernadine R2-BL4 Lapetina, Jr. Herbert R2-BL4 Lapetina Audrey R2-BL4 Lapetina Herbert W. R2-BL4 Lapetina Magenta R2-BL4 Lapetina Bernard R2-BL4 Bell Corine R2-BL4 Church Alice R. R2-BL5 Diani* Julie R2-BL5 Carty Mrs. J. J. R2-BL5 Warrington May R2-BL5 Warrington Edward R2-BL5 Diani Charles R2-BL5 Barber Mrs. C. S. R2-BL5 Tebault Elizabeth R2-BL5 Tebault Dian R2-BL5 Blow H. L. R2-BL5 Blow Mrs. H. L. R3-BL1 Kearny* Helen Lucretia R3-BL1 Kuhns Jean R3-BL1 Fehnel Amandus R3-BL1 Kearny Ed R3-BL1 Haney Lillian R3-BL1 Weisel Shirley R3-BL1 Rice Minnie R3-BL1 Fehnel Ray R3-BL1 Guth Edna R3-BL1 Huhns Harry R3-BL1 Fluck Sally R3-BL2 Whitmer* Margaret R3-BL2 Haesloop(?) Lily R3-BL2 Rappold Laura R3-BL2 Smith W. S. R3-BL2 Townsend J. R. R3-BL2 Maury Nina Cox R3-BL2 Mayberry L. P. R3-BL2 Gibbs H. G. R3-BL2 Middleton R. H. R3-BL2 Massingil Bob R3-BL2 Peltz Anna G. R3-BL3 Townsend* Blanche Laura R3-BL3 Folend, Joan Indianapolis, Ind. R3-BL3 Lawrence Shag R3-BL3 Moore Leut. Edward F. Leut. Indianapolis, Ind. R3-BL3 Barber Cora Oertly R3-BL3 Minatel Joe Indianapolis, Ind. R3-BL3 Barber James R. R3-BL3 Holdren Virginia Indianapolis, Ind. R3-BL3 Stupeka Joseph R3-BL3 Holdren Clifton Captain Indianapolis, Ind. R3-BL3 Morganson Odie R3-BL3 Minatel Tony Indianapolis, Ind. R3-BL3 Percival W. M. R3-BL3 Hanchett Joseph Indianapolis, Ind. R3-BL3 Gray Newton R3-BL3 Hanchett Jennie Wrenn Indianapolis, Ind. R3-BL3 Gray Charlotte R3-BL3 Minatel Roy Indianapolis, Ind. R3-BL3 Lawrence Fred C. R3-BL3 Pitts J. Franklin Indianapolis, Ind. R3-BL3 Lawrence Mary Rebbeca R3-BL4 Seager* Anna Louella R3-BL4 Bishop Louisa E. R3-BL4 Seager C. Fred R3-BL4 Moore Peggy B. R3-BL4 Domme Freida B. R3-BL4 Green Dorothy E. R3-BL4 Otterbourg Leland L. R3-BL4 Huffman Grace R3-BL4 Huffman Chuck R3-BL4 Bell Thelma R3-BL5 Crouch Mabel R3-BL5 Hinton I. D. R3-BL5 Hagard Mike R3-BL5 Hoffman E. L. R3-BL5 Ford Mrs. F. H. R3-BL5 Hinton Virginia R3-BL5 Parke James R3-BL5 Hinnanh Glen R3-BL5 Davis Willian R3-BL5 Hinnanh John R3-BL5 Gard Thomas R4-BL1 Lowell* Hannah R4-BL1 Lowell Wally R4-BL1 Hornberger Lee R4-BL1 Gehr Mary R4-BL1 Lowelll Ethel R4-BL1 Dauber Stella R4-BL1 Clark Mary R4-BL1 Hornberger Sadie R4-BL1 Yoke Grace R4-BL1 Hornberger Iva R4-BL1 Gehr Sophey R4-BL2 Hale* Geraldine V. R4-BL2 Hale, Jr. Irving W. R4-BL2 Hale Irving W. R4-BL2 Lamore? Clayton W. R4-BL2 Green(?) Charles H. R4-BL2 Lamore Guy M. R4-BL2 Stewart(?) Virginia D. R4-BL2 Abbott Crystal A. R4-BL2 Bruce Jean R4-BL2 Butler Elsie R4-BL2 Richards Nellie LOYALTY, PROTECTION, SERVICE Ladies Auxiliary Fleet Reserve Association. Unit No. 5. Norfolk Virginia. 1941-42 The above words and date appear on R4-BL3 below: R4-BL3 Townsend Blanche L. Pres. R4-BL3 Slaughter Elsie V.P. R4-BL3 Coutta. Elsie Ja. V.P. R4-BL3 Thompson Josie Chap R4-BL3 Townsend John R. Past Reg. V. P. R4-BL3 Wagnew Millard R4-BL3 Percival Eleanor R4-BL3 Freeman Jean G. R4-BL3 Freeman Robert E. Pres. R4-BL3 West Mrs. W. D. R4-BL3 Reynolds Harry S. Sec. R4-BL3 Scott Maggie L. R4-BL3 Scott Alfred M. R4-BL3 Whitmere Margaret P. P. R4-BL3 Urick Josephine P. P. R4-BL3 Davis Rose R4-BL3 Seager Anna Lou Sec. Regn. V. P. R4-BL3 Diani Julie Treas. R4-BL3 Sally Mabel Nat. V. P. R4-BL3 Kerney Helen R4-BL3 Ryenolds Renea R4-BL3 Fiedemann Anna R4-BL3 Hanold Anna R4-BL3 Francese Mary Z. R4-BL3 Lambert Anne R4-BL3 Lambert Beverly R4-BL3 Davis Maynard R4-BL3 Hadley J. H. R4-BL3 Flournoy W. E. R4-BL3 Diani Charles R4-BL4 Hale* Elizabeth M. R4-BL4 Hale, Jr. Elizabeth M. R4-BL4 Freeman Illa Pearl R4-BL4 Hoffman Annette R4-BL4 Cool Sarah R4-BL4 Boyce Illa M. R4-BL4 Wilson Mary Y. R4-BL4 Wilson Upahur R4-BL4 Wagner Edith M. R4-BL4 Hale Barbara C. R4-BL4 Black June N. R4-BL5 Percival* Eleanor R4-BL5 Howard Adela R4-BL5 Frawley William R4-BL5 Percival Nina R4-BL5 Conley Therese R4-BL5 Percival Wilbur J. R4-BL5 Flynn Louise R4-BL5 Percivil Francis R4-BL5 Conley Margaret R4-BL5 Percival Wilbur M. R5-BL1 Lambert* Annie R5-BL1 Sullivan Mike R5-BL1 Taylor Alvin Alvin R5-BL1 Lambert Howard A. R5-BL1 Smith Pearl R5-BL1 Odonnell Dick R5-BL1 Gardner Virginia R5-BL1 Bear Robert R5-BL1 Wright Catherine R5-BL1 Vecender Eddie R5-BL2 Gossman* Annie R5-BL2 Wilson John R5-BL2 Miller Harold R5-BL2 Grimsley Laura R5-BL2 Hadden Analow/Onalow(?) R5-BL2 Grimsley Myrtie/Myrtice(?) R5-BL2 Smith Russell R5-BL2 Lester Maude R5-BL2 Grimsley Henry R5-BL2 Suddith Virginia R5-BL3 Townsend* Blanche Laura R5-BL3 Boyle Hazel Rossville, Ill. R5-BL3 Baughman Viola R5-BL3 Willman Herbert Greenfield, Ind. R5-BL3 Oertly Nettie R5-BL3 Willman Ruth Greenfield, Ind. R5-BL3 Weiss Nettie R5-BL3 Willman Robert Greenfield, Ind. R5-BL3 Townsend Bud R5-BL3 Willman Estelle Gem, Ind. R5-BL3 Breitenbach H. C. R5-BL3 Willman Theodora Gem, Ind. R5-BL3 Breitenbach Ruby R5-BL3 Spilker Nannie Gem, Ind. R5-BL3 Townsend Eldena R5-BL3 Boyle Phyllis Rossville, Ill. R5-BL3 Overburg Dorothy R5-BL3 Boyle Charles Rossville, Ill. R5-BL3 Overburg Lawrence R5-BL3 Boyle Henderdon Rossville, Ill. R5-BL3 Townsend J. R. R5-BL4 Urick* Josephine R5-BL4 Ross Violet R5-BL4 Urick Llewellyn R5-BL4 Miars(?) Miriam R5-BL4 Elliott Della R5-BL4 Murphy Margaret R5-BL4 Jones Dorothy R5-BL4 Lawler Nora R5-BL4 Preuitt Eva R5-BL4 Urick Josephine R5-BL4 Lawler Nora (yes, name appears twice) R5-BL5 Wright* Louise R5-BL5 Subratudt(?) Johanna F. R5-BL5 Barnes Lolita A. R5-BL5 Wright, Jr. Willard S. R5-BL5 Long J. Clifford R5-BL5 Oliver Eva M. R5-BL5 Clayton Elsie H. R5-BL5 Suhratudt Mae R5-BL5 Wright, Sr. Willard S. R5-BL5 Clayton Nellie R5-BL5 Lowry Jo Clifford R6-BL1 Coleman* Nellye R6-BL1 Nimmo Ella R6-BL1 Ward Ernestine R6-BL1 Ward Mildred R6-BL1 Coleman Tom W. R6-BL1 Coleman Priscilla R6-BL1 Coleman Walter R6-BL1 Coleman Louise R6-BL1 Ealy Lula R6-BL1 Tompkins Jennie R6-BL1 Nimmo Margaret R6-BL2 Gossman* Annie R6-BL2 Gossman N. W. R6-BL2 Martin Bell R6-BL2 Wright Foy R6-BL2 Woods Ruth R6-BL2 Gaston Ada R6-BL2 Wilson Bell R6-BL2 Gibson Nick R6-BL2 Lance Alva R6-BL2 Graham A. G. R6-BL2 Lester G. K. R6-BL3 Karp* Benjamin R6-BL3 Karp* Freada R6-BL3 Oconnor Maurice R6-BL3 Glover Mary Maud R6-BL3 Tiedemenn Anne R6-BL3 Jordon Jennie R6-BL3 Hebert George R6-BL3 Windslow Mabel R6-BL3 Lamb William T. Long Becah, Cal. R6-BL3 McKiblen Inice R6-BL3 Rives Dexter R6-BL3 Borum Milton L. R6-BL3 Collins John E. R6-BL3 Story Maud R6-BL3 Rattie John A. R6-BL3 Story Ollie R6-BL3 Dyson George P. R6-BL3 Oconnor May R6-BL3 Hanlove(?) Sadie R6-BL4 Urick* Josephine R6-BL4 Klemm Mrs. R6-BL4 Urick Josephine R6-BL4 Julian Ann R6-BL4 Urick Rose Mary R6-BL4 Redell Nickey R6-BL4 Bushmith Ann R6-BL4 Urick Hyacienth R6-BL4 Wood Jack R6-BL4 O'Brien Betty R6-BL4 White Augusta R6-BL5 Martin* Nancy Martha R6-BL5 Sansona(?) Maria R6-BL5 Taylor Kay R6-BL5 Underdown Lottie R6-BL5 Carter Winnie R6-BL5 Ryols Mildred R6-BL5 Grosender(?) Annie R6-BL5 Watson Cecil R6-BL5 Jones Mamie R6-BL5 Lewis Margaret R6-BL5 Martin Shirley R7-BL1 Hanold* Anna Victoria R7-BL1 Genghan(?) Anne R7-BL1 Faulkner Cora R7-BL1 Green Agnes R7-BL1 Carlson Esther R7-BL1 Staff Selma R7-BL1 Gr_nol(?) Emma R7-BL1 Bonnwell Alphonso? R7-BL1 Burris Adele R7-BL1 Witcher Jane R7-BL1 Ott Emma R7-BL2 Lick* Clara Vandalia R7-BL2 McGown(?) Alton R7-BL2 Worrell Clyde R7-BL2 Lick Frank R7-BL2 McGowan(?) Elizabeth R7-BL2 Sadler Lloyd R7-BL2 Manning Daisy R7-BL2 Trimble Porter A. R7-BL2 Corbelt Charles R7-BL2 Trimble Glayds R7-BL2 Bible Ruth A. R7-BL3 Reynolds* Alice R7-BL3 U.S.S. Mayrant R7-BL3 LaGuardia Firello Mayor New York R7-BL3 My Johnnie R7-BL3 DeMilt Clayton H or W(?) R7-BL3 Burrough Horace R7-BL3 Naval Hospital New York R7-BL3 Johnny the Great R7-BL3 DeMilt Ella Clark R7-BL3 U.S.S. Naval Academy R7-BL3 U.S.S. McCawley R7-BL3 DeMilt Wallingford R7-BL4 Urick Josephine R7-BL4 Lawler Nora R7-BL4 Urick Milton R7-BL4 Gibbs Grace R7-BL4 Hillman Nan R7-BL4 Barkley Rose R7-BL4 Urick Milton R7-BL4 Elliot Della R7-BL4 Kenyon Cora R7-BL4 Urick Josephine R7-BL4 Florence Sara R7-BL5 Thompson* Jose Louise R7-BL5 Growell Linda R7-BL5 Williams Johanna R7-BL5 Clark Lucy R7-BL5 Williams Bill R7-BL5 Williams Hazel R7-BL5 Clark Minnie R7-BL5 Thompson Esther R7-BL5 Malbow Kilby R7-BL5 Williamson Lillie R7-BL5 Thompson Tom

What is the date inscribed on the quilt?

1941-42

Method used to make the inscription:

Embroidery

Location of inscription:

multiple locations

Time period:

1930-1949

Date estimated by an antique dealer, quilt historian or appraiser:

1941-42

Further information concerning dates:

There are two dates on the quilt: 1941-42 [see Row 4-Block 3] and the date 1941 under the name of Grace Jones in Row 1-Block 2.

Describe the quilt's layout:

Block pattern

Fiber types used to make the quilt top:

Cotton

Fabric styles used in the quilt top:

Solid/plain

Features or notes about the quilt's appearance, materials, or construction:

Quilt is handed quilted in the ditch around each block, around the circle in the center of each block and along each spoke of the signature wheel of each block. Each circle has something extra embroidered in it along with the signature, like tiny flowers or linterlocking circles or xxx's but nothing that stands out as symbols of the Navy.

Quilt top made by:

Ladies Auxiliary, Fleet Reserve Association, Unit No. 5, Norfolk, VA

Where the quilt was made, city:

Norfolk, Virginia

Where the quilt was made, country:

United States

Describe anything about the history of the quilt that wasn't already recorded in a previous field:

I posted a short story about the quilt on Rootsweb genealogical website in 2001 and had about 40 responses. One person is probably the daughter of a neighbor of one of those from Gem, Indiana who signed the quilt in 1941-42. All of these emails are in my file on this quilt. Some were helpful leads. Some led me to information on the two ships mentioned on the quilt. Then research was set aside for several years.

Why was the quilt made?

Fundraising

Describe the source of the pattern:

Public domain

Describe anything about the design of the quilt that wasn't already recorded in a previous field:

MAYOR FIORELLA LAGUARDIA The only name I immediately recognized on this quilt was that of Mayor Fiorella LaGuardia Born December 11, 1882 in New York City, to an Italian father and Jewish mother of Austrian heritage, Fiorello LaGuardia “The “Little Flower” as he would eventually become known, served with Consular Service in Budapest, Trieste and Fiume, Hungary from 1901-1906 and from 1907-10 as an interpreter in the U.S. Immigration Service at Ellis Island. He must have been studying law at the same time for he received his law degree from New York University in 1910. From there he served in various political positions in New York until elected to Congress from upper Manhattan’s 20th District in November 1922, serving five consecutive terms. November 7, 1933 he was elected the 99th Mayor of New York City. Under his tutelage corruption was reined in; the city’s finances were brought under control and the budget balanced yet new housing was built for the poor and 50 some playgrounds and 60 some parks were built. How? Because LaGuardia willingly worked with Roosevelt’s New Deal to land millions of dollars in funding for bridges, tunnels and airports as well as parks. In 1946 he was appointed as the Director General of the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration, providing food, clothing and shelter to millions of Europeans displaced by World War II. It is said that he paid particular attention to the needs of the children throughout the war ravaged continent. And those are just a few of LaGuardia’s accomplishments. Unfortnately he returned from Europe quite ill and died within the year of pancreatic cancer in September 20, 1947 at the age of 64. DEMILT FAMILY DeMilt is another well known New York/Brooklyn name on the same block as Fiorello LaGuardia. The DeMilt Despensary of New York City was founded in 1851 by a wealthy Quaker family but I haven't yet done enough reserach to definitively tie that family with the six DeMilts on this block. NAVAL SHIPS The following information about the TWO ships comes from http://www.history.navy.mil/ USS Mayrant was named in honor of Lieutenant John Mayrant (1762-1836), who served in the South Carolina and Continental Navies during the American Revolution. USS Mayrant (DD-402), 1939-1948 USS Mayrant, a 1500-ton Benham class destroyer, was built at the Boston Navy Yard, Massachusetts. She was placed in commission in September 1939 and, during the following year, twice served as an escort to President Franklin D. Roosevelt as he inspected defense preparations along the U.S. coast and in the Caribbean. In 1941, as the U.S. drew closer to active participation in World War II, she was present during the August conference between President Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Churchill, and was employed on escort duties. Her convoy escort service continued after the U.S. formally entered the conflict in December 1941. In the spring and early summer of 1942 Mayrant operated with the British Home Fleet and, in November, she played an active role in the invasion of Morocco. USS McCawley was named in honor of Colonel Charles G. McCawley, Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps in 1876-1891. USS Mayrant (DD-402), 1939-1948 USS Mayrant, a 1500-ton Benham class destroyer, was built at the Boston Navy Yard, Massachusetts. She was placed in commission in September 1939 and, during the following year, twice served as an escort to President Franklin D. Roosevelt as he inspected defense preparations along the U.S. coast and in the Caribbean. In 1941, as the U.S. drew closer to active participation in World War II, she was present during the August conference between President Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Churchill, and was employed on escort duties. Her convoy escort service continued after the U.S. formally entered the conflict in December 1941. In the spring and early summer of 1942 Mayrant operated with the British Home Fleet and, in November, she played an active role in the invasion of Morocco.

Related items such as diaries, obituaries, wills, household inventories, or pictures of the quiltmaker:

I have all my correspondence with Roy Minatel (one of the people whose name is on the quilt) plus two photos Roy gave me, one of his family taken in 1948 and the other of Joseph Hanchett, a friend of his parents, whose name is also on the quilt. I have taken a photo of each block and also have photos of each exhibit this quilt has appeared in to date.

Quilt owner's name:

Karen Biedler Alexander

Quilt owner's city:

lopez Island

Quilt owner's country:

United States

Description of quilt:

A Fund Raising Quilt for Ladies Auxiliary, Fleet Reserve Association, Unit No. 5, Norfolk, VA, 1941-42 consisting of 35 blocks and over 400 names.

Essay:

ESSAY: Norfolk, Virginia Signature Quilt Size: 66.5 inches x 90 inches (168.9cm x 228.6 cm) Quiltmaker: Fleet Reserve Association Ladies Auxiliary Unit No. 5 Place: Norfolk, VA Date stitched on quilt: 1941-42 What a wonderful vehicle of history every quilt is! I stumbled across this gem at a large antique show in Chantilly, Virginia, in January 2000. I made a valiant effort to get the name of the person and estate in Virginia from which the dealer had purchased it but the dealer did not follow through in spite of several calls. All I was told was that it had recently come out of a Virginia estate sale between Richmond and Norfolk. I posted a short story about the quilt on RootsWeb genealogical website in 2001 and had about 40 responses, most of them from Navy-connected folks. However, one respondent was the daughter of a neighbor of one of those from Gem, Indiana who signed the quilt in 1941-42. Some were very helpful suggestions. Some led me to information on the two ships mentioned on the quilt. After a brief flurry of emails and excitement, research had to be set-aside for several years. Then, alas, we moved from Virginia to the West Coast. But the Internet and the telephone is mightier than the 3,000 miles that now lay between my current home and the quilt’s original home in Norfolk, Virginia! Since most names on this quilt do not include a geographical location, research may continue slowly for years. There are 440 “entries” with 31 possible duplicate names. Also stitched on the quilt are the names of two Navy organizations (in addition to the organization that made the quilt) and two Navy ships. However, there are some exceptions to this lack of geographical identity, most notably 16 names with Indiana locations: Indianapolis (10), Gem (3) and Greenfield (3). Also Rossville, IL (4), Brooklyn-New York (3), New York City (1), Washington, D.C. (1), Long Beach-CA (1), Detroit-Michigan (1); Phoebus-Virginia (1); and one from Norfolk, Virginia—the Chief of Police! Each block consists of an embroidered circle at the center with a name in it and other names radiating off the circle like spokes. Thread colors reflect the rainbow and alternate so that two with the same color never wind up side-by-side. There are many variations of handwriting on the quilt but at the same time, I don’t think every signature is unique as they would be if everyone had signed with Micron pen as we do today. Some blocks have beautiful “penmanship” and embroidery but I still haven’t quite figured out how the signature was transferred to the fabric. Is it possible that they were originally done with pencil and the pencil has not simply washed away? This is still an unexplained mystery for some definitely do look like real signatures. Row 4-Block 3 is different from all other blocks. Rather than a circle at the center containing a name with other names radiating off like spokes, this block consists of an embroidered unilateral triangle within a triangle. The triangles contain the words: LOYALTY, PROTECTION, SERVICE Ladies Auxiliary Fleet Reserve Association. Unit No. 5. Norfolk Virginia. Surfing the Internet, I learned that the Ladies Auxiliary of the Fleet Reserve Association (LA FRA) was organized in 1930 and chartered to “aid, assist and promote all matters pertaining to welfare, social, and patriotic works of the Fleet Reserve Association, its members and their families.” Over 200 LA FRA Units are located throughout the United States and overseas. The quilt was most likely made to raise money to help fund their causes. I also learned the Unit No. 5 is one of the oldest chapters of this organization. The names on the officers' on this special block are: Townsend Blanche L. Pres. Slaughter Elsie V.P. Coutta Elsie Jr. V.P. Thompson Josie Chap Townsend John R. Past Reg. V. P. Wagnew Millard (maybe Wagner) Percival Eleanor Freeman Jean G. Freeman Robert E. Pres. West Mrs. W. D. Reynolds Harry S. Sec. Scott Maggie L. Scott Alfred M. Whitmere Margaret P. P. Urick Josephine P. P. Davis Rose Seager Anna Lou Sec. Regn. V. P. Diani Julie Treas. Sally Mabel Nat. V. P. Kerney Helen Reynolds Renea Fiedemann Anna Hanold Anna Francese Mary Z. Lambert Anne Lambert Beverly Davis Maynard Hadley J. H. Flournoy W. E. Diani Charles Other interesting names on the quilt are: Fiorello LaGuardia, Mayor of New York City; J. T. Woods, Chief of Police, Norfolk, Virginia; Naval Hospitality N.Y.; U.S. Naval Academy; U.S.S. McCawley and U.S.S. Mayrant. This quilt has been displayed three times since I purchased it: (1st) AQSG seminar in Williamsburg Oct 2001; (2nd) Museum Of The Oregon History-Portland, OR, Oct 12- Dec 31, 2002; and (3rd) July 13-16, 2006 in the exhibit “World War II Era Quilts” curated by quilt historian Sue, Reich of Connecticut. This third exhibit took place during The Quilters Hall of Fame’s annual Celebration in Marion, Indiana. Indiana seemed a good place to start since there were 16 geographical references on the quilt but it wasn’t until the spring of 2006 that I took up serious research again on the quilt. Since I knew the quilt was going to be displayed in Indiana that summer, I felt it imperative to find someone still living in Indiana related to those from Indiana on the quilt. It seemed like looking for a needle in a haystack, but I got lucky and struck gold with the first name I decided to look-up — Minatel (Row 3 Block 3). I began by simply looking up the phone numbers of all those with the name Minatel in the Indianapolis area White Pages via the Internet! It took three tries before I got a real person to answer the phone and even then, she almost hung up on me. She thought I was a sales person trying to sell her something; totally understandable in this day and age! After all, how many people receive a phone call asking if they are the person whose name is on a quilt that is 65 years old! However, I finally persuaded the lady of the house that I was a quilt historian looking for genealogical information so she handed the phone over to her husband. He became very excited as he began to hear and grasp my story. Roy Minatel had been a child when the quilt was made and had no idea the quilt even existed. He confirmed the names of five other Indianapolis residents whose names appear on the quilt. One was his father (Tony) and another his brother (Joe). The other two names he recognized were friends of his parents. He was only 10 years old at the time the quilt was made. In July 2006 he and his brothers Mario and Joe and two wives drove to Marion, Indiana, to see the TQHF quilt exhibit. The local paper did an article on their appearance at the quilt show. It was a very exciting experience for all of us at the show! Again research went dormant for a time but the Quilt Index Signature Quilt Pilot Project went into high gear so it was time for me to get my research on this wonderful quilt going again. The person whose name appears on the quilt the most times is Blanche Louise Townsend, the President of Unit No. 5.. This seemed a good one to start with this time around. In the spring of 2009 I found a Townsend Family Association on-line and contacted the Director. This kind soul did some legwork for me and discovered J. R. Townsend, Jr’s enlistment record (John Roy Townsend, born 1915), plus his parents’ names: John Roy Sr. and Blanche Louise. However, we still don’t have a maiden name for Blanche but the 1920 census says her father was born in Switzerland and her mother in Virginia! This was very exciting to me since I am related to at least eight Swiss-German families from the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. I even found my ancestral Swiss village through genealogical research and was able to visit it several times while in Switzerland on business with my husband 1994-2001 and took all three of our children back one at a time. But let’s return to the Townsend search. The 1910 census says J.R. Sr. was born in Indiana; that his father was born in Illinois; and that his mother born in Indiana. So now we know that J.R. Sr. had family and contacts in Indiana and ties to Illinois and Virginia. This is also a clue to where some of the names on Blanche’s blocks may have come from. There is also a common name between Blanche’s block Row 1 Block 3 and Row 7 Block 3 that contains the name of Mayor LaGuardia. That common name is DeMilt of Brooklyn, New York. Were the DeMilt family and the Townsend family friends? More possible clues to follow-thru on. The 1900 census revealed J.R. Sr. living in MARION, INDIANA (of all places!) with his parents, his birth date being1885! This too was a very exciting revelation since I have been trekking back to Marion almost every year since 1996 to attend The Quilters Hall of Fame’s annual induction of the new Honoree. However, I have yet to meet a Townsend in Marion but will look into this the next time I fly back there for sure! There may well be more Indiana signatures on this quilt besides those 16 who added the name of their hometown. However, without a signer specifically identifying his/her location, it is hard to prove where individuals resided. If one person identifies her location, then a good starting point is to look in that state for the possible residences of others on the same block. It tedious research unless the individual has an unusual name but the research does continue. My next step is to follow through on some of the contacts I now have with current members of Unit No. 5 in Norfolk, hoping that someone there has squirreled away some files in her attic from the years Blanche Louise Townsend was president of Unit No. 5, Ladies Auxiliary Fleet Reserve Association in Norfolk, Virginia.

Who photographed this quilt?

Karen Biedler Alexander

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