Something of Lasting Importance

Your story is as individual as your fingerprint, part of the historical record, and will have a wider impact than you can imagine.

Moving On, Remembering the Turbulent Years" is available locally at Off the Beaten Path Bookstore in Lakewood and The Bookstore at Chautauqua Institution.

I was contacted by a person whose mother was a patient at the Newton Memorial Hospital in Cassadaga from 1947-1948. As local residents know, the building now housing the Cassadaga Job Corps, was first used as a treatment center for adults and children with tuberculosis from 1919 to 1958. Early on there was no cure for the dreaded disease and healing (hopefully) came through bed rest, good nutrition, fresh air and sun exposure. That would change when a brilliant doctor, Dr. Timothy Liang continued his research at Newton, pioneering the use of streptomycin in the treatment of the disease.

The patient, Eleanor Hinig Davies would later write her memoir, "Moving On, Remembering My Turbulent Years, 1919-1948." A section of the book looks back at her time as at Newton. As she reflects on her time there she writes, "I had a spiritual, emotional and psychological healing to accompany the physical one within those sanitarium walls."

Her story also includes recollections of growing up in Cleveland Heights and Shaker Heights in the '20s and '30s as the daughter of a prominent builder. As the economic mushroom cloud of The Great Depression descended on the country, her father, Benjamin Hinig experienced bankruptcy and ultimately ended his own life. Afterwards, Eleanor recalls moving frequently - often into other people's houses. When she falls in love and marries, another event - World War II once again alters her life.

As the title suggests, this is a compelling story of Mrs. Davies' "turbulent years," demonstrating her strength of character during a number of life-altering events. Her son, Stephen Davies states, " These materials gave me a deeper understanding about her feelings towards the traumatic series of events she experienced... editing it also felt like having a several-month long conversation with her, cathartic in itself." 

The story of Mrs. Davies' resilience and unbounded optimism has inspired her family and readers alike.

A New York Times article dated May 28, 1948, (at right) cites Mr. Liang's outstanding contributions to medicine as an argument for his permanent residency. ➛

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The Take-Away

*We are all witnesses to history and have experiences to share about its impact on our lives. First-hand accounts are an important part of the historical record (think of Ken Burns' use of dairies and letters to tell the stories of the Civil War).

*Family trees are abstract. Stories add depth and greater understanding of the circumstances and motivations of family members and family dynamics.

*You may not be wealthy or famous, but your memories, life events and lessons are important to preserve. What do you wish to pass on to your children, your local historical society or to unknown future generations? 

*Unlike Eleanor Davies' memoir, most personal histories are created for family and friends.