I’m Karen – Mommy, Mimi, sister, friend. I guess I’m supposed to say more about myself to make this interesting. Hmmm…
OK. I was born in December 1945 in Oklahoma City and lived there until I was about 2 1/2 when we moved to Tulsa. I’ve been here ever since, except for lots of travels through the years. I had a terrific childhood, went to Oklahoma State University and graduated with a B.A. in English plus some graduate work, married my high school senior sweetheart and had four children, three girls and a boy. I was an active volunteer for most of my life, but that’s the subject of a whole bunch of blogs. I’ve had lots of interesting experiences as a mother, wife, in volunteer work and in paid careers that I hope gives me at least insight into the world around me.
My husband of 31 years, my great love since we were seniors in high school, died of cancer right after he turned 53. I found myself a widow with a whole new life to figure out. A few years later, my son was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 25. He lived almost 10 years and died at the age of 35. My daughters and their families and my daughter-in-law live here and I get to share my 8 grandchildren’s lives with them. We have 6 boys and two girls – all a great adventure.
There’s so much more for me to tell, but that’s why I started a blog. I’ve always wanted a column, which is what a blog kind of is. I’ll try to add more about me, but I think you’ll figure it all out as you read along…
Confetti Thoughts 
My goodness you have certainly had your fair share of challenges. I live in Australia and have just started blogging a couple of months ago. I look forward to reading more of your column.
Thank you so much! I’d love to come to Australia sometime! The blogging is pretty fun. I keep learning!
I must admit I’m still learning as well. But I enjoy everyone’s blogs and I like the fact that it keeps me to my goals of writing creatively more regularly.
Hi Karen… Enjoyed your post regarding your Uniontown ancestry and was wondering if your family was connected with the Kellenaers family?
Not that I know of. My Uniontown families were the Hamiltons on my grandfather’s side and the Spaldings on my grandmother’s side. Obviously, there are others linked to those. My grandfather’s family is buried in the Uniontown Cemetery and my grandmother’s family is in the Catholic cemetery on the other side of town, which I didn’t get to visit on my last trip due to it getting dark. I just found some things my grandmother’s nephew wrote about some of their family, which gives me more information on life in Uniontown. What an interesting place it was before the floods devastated it. Is your family from Uniontown?
Hello Karen… I have the names of the nearly 1,700 people buried in Uniontown’s St. Agnes Cemetery, which I published in our 2010 parish directory. Included among these names are 12 Spaldings, the oldest grave dating to 1890 and the latest, 1991.. If you’d like, I could send them to you… I also have a copy of the 1903 Illustrated Industrial Edition of The Telegram, Uniontown, Kentucky. There is an interesting paragraph in this newspaper regarding Hamilton & Rathman, “Extensive Grain Buyers, Good Business Men, and Worthy Citizens”….. Through the Interlibrary Loan system, I ordered “The Sun Shines Bright” by Sue Hamilton Jewell. ( I was going to purchase a used copy on Amazon until I found the price a bit much for me at $169.00!) As a life-long Uniontown resident now living in Mt. Washington, Kentucky, for the past several years I’ve did considerable family and county history research. I co-authored my dad’s auto-biography for family use and published the last two St. Agnes Parish church directories. I also authored “Face Boss – The Memoir of a Western Kentucky Coal Miner”, published by the University of Tennessee Press in 2009. Unfortunatley, the copyeditor eliminated much of the Uniontown history that wasn’t related to coal mining but if you interested in anything about underground mining, this book may answer some of your questions. Sincerely, Mike Guillerman
Hi Michael,
Wow, that would be terrific to get the list of those buried in St. Agnes Cemetery. I have some biographical information written by my grandmother’s nephew. Several of them moved to Oklahoma, but there were quite a few Spaldings. If you could scan or copy of the article from the 1903 edition of The Telegram, that would be very interesting. I have a copy of my great-grandfather’s (J. C. Hamilton) obituary, which was quite lengthy. He must have been a wonderful man from all that I have read.
I hope you enjoy reading “The Sun Shines Bright.” I remember when my great-aunt Sue wrote it and brought my parents copies. I have purchased a couple of more and need one more copy to have one for each of my children’s families. I grew up reading that book and cherish the stories. This last time, I was a little frustrated as she sometimes added dates and sometimes didn’t. She gave her own grandmother’s name as “Mother” and never her real name. It made me interested in the Louisiana ties to that side of the family.
You can get really wrapped up in all of this. I love hearing from someone who grew up in Uniontown and I’d love to hear stories of that charming place.
Thanks so much for writing. I have no idea what happened with my blog this weekend, but it kind of exploded and you’re the third person who has written me about this particular piece on Uniontown.
Let me know how you can send the info & I’ll send my address/email address.
Karen
Hello Karen.. Apologize for the delay. Send me your address and I will mail the above inormation… Sincerely, Mike Guillerman
Karen Fraser
1948 E 35th St
Tulsa OK 74105
Thank you!
Karen,
Read your Uniontown piece. Great piece. There was enough information to determine that we are cousins. I am originally from Waverly. My 4th great grandfather Alexander Hamilton and Edward Lioyd Hamilton were brothers. I have quite a bit history of Thomas Hamilton, our common ancestor back.
Thank you for writing, Tom. I have always loved the stories of Uniontown and my Hamilton relatives. I have a genealogy book on the Hamilton family that traces everyone back to Thomas Hamilton as he left Scotland, but I don’t know much about him before that. The book is “Imprints 1608-1980 Hamilton, Allied Families” by Sister Mary Louise Donnelly.
Hi Karen, I am from Uniontown too, my family lived in the Hamilton house in the 40′ s. Two other families lived there too when we did. I think we moved out in 1950. I have pictures of us kids at the house. I loved that old house and have always been interested in it’s history. I live in Waverly, Ky. now about 15 miles from there. If you ever get back down this way I could show you where it was located if you want. My name is Treva Robards, 190 East Union St, Waverly, Ky.42462 my email is sissy42462@yahoo.com
That touches my heart, Treva. I’m so glad the house continued to be a home for many families until it was torn down. The stories of my grandfather’s childhood there are enchanting. My father was born there, too. I want to come back and learn more about my grandparents & other relatives. I haven’t even started with the Spaldings!! Thank you SO much for writing. I’ll let you know when I get that way!
Karen, your blog post about the hospital is SO moving… that long, long list of hospital trips–some of which I remember…a powerful life story, beautifully written.
Thank you, Judy. That was one of those therapeutic posts that helped me get all those emotions I was feeling out on paper.
Karen, I was trying to find some information regarding Barnard. Is there anyway you could email me?
I posted a comment at the end of you Uniontown blog.
Dear Mrs. Fraser,
I am glad I found your Uniontown posts. I just got The Sun Shines Bright and am trying to pursue some of your grandmother’s anecdotes further. My ancestors left Uniontown around 1900. I visited for the first time two weeks ago. The Hamilton family papers (as you surely know) are in the Filson Library. Please drop me a line. I have a question.
TJohnJamieson@aol.com
Did you get the email I sent?
Sorry, I mean your great aunt’s book.
Hi Karen
My name is Kathleen Collins and I am photo editor here at The Daily Meal in New York, I am interested in using some of your photos of Lotsee, OK. I was wondering if I may use the photo for our story on smallest towns in each state. Here is a link to some of our work: https://www.thedailymeal.com.
Hi Kathleen,
That would be fine. It’s a fun story!
Karen
Hi Karen,
Do you have any idea where a person can purchase The Sun Shines Bright these days? I’ve researched and researched and can’t find it anywhere.
Thanks,
I don’t know. I have found copies randomly through the years on eBay, Abe’s Books & other sites. My cousin found one online, too. My advice is to keep looking!
Good luck!
Karen
Hello Karen! I stumbled across your entries on “The Sun Shines Bright”, and would like the chance to correspond with you, if you would agree. My husband, now deceased, is descended from the Uniontown, Ky Hamiltons. I am working on the genealogy so that I can share it with my two sons. I have the book – it’s my second copy actually, as I loaned my first one to a nephew and he seems to have misplaced it! The first copy that I had was actually given to me by my husband’s grandmother – Helen DeWeese Hamilton, wife of Alexander Phillips Hamilton, son of James Clay Hamilton & Ella Alexine McJilton, brother to Sue Steel Hamilton Jewell – the author of the book. I have been to Uniontown…I believe I found the Hamilton home. I would love to have some pictures….and if it’s possible, to see them online, or in some other way have access to them, to get copies. And, I have enjoyed reading your “confettithoughts” entries. I look forward to hearing from you.
Kay Hamilton, Troy, Ohio
Hi Kay! It’s so fun to meet the other descendants of this wonderful family. Last year, I met some of Max Hamilton’s family. I remember Tide from long ago. You said you found the house, but it was been torn down for years. I visited the lot where it was & will send you some pictures of the house that is there now along with a map I was given of where it was located. I had tried to locate it when I was there, but I was way off. I think most of the pictures I have of the house are on my blog, but I can send them to you also. It’s been quite a journey since I wrote about our family. I’ll send you some things now.
Karen
Hello again, Karen! THANK YOU so much for the photos!! I appreciate it so much. I was actually there prior to 2004…..not sure the year exactly, but my husband, Steve passed away in 2004, so I know it was at least a couple of years before that. Do you by any chance have the street address where the home was located. Back then, we found it easily, but do not have the physical address – and even though it is now gone, I’m not sure I could just drive there now without an address…..memories fade at this age! I know we drove along the Ohio River for miles, but have no idea of how far it really was. We also went to the cemetery, but I can’t recall where that was exactly either. Any information would be helpful. I want my sons to know where it was…..in case they ever want to take a drive down there to see the area!! Appreciate your help!
Hi Kay! I haven’t had time to get back to label the photos I sent you, but the newer house on the corner with street signs is the house that is on the lot where the Hamilton House used to be. I think the police chief lives there now. The map with the drawing of the house also shows that corner with names of streets. Not sure I ever saw a street address, but I took photo so I could find the corner again. I think I’ve written 3 blogs about Uniontown and one of them talks about the people I have heard from who lived in the house after the Hamiltons left – very interesting stories. The cemetery is located on the north end of town – I asked for directions. I’ll send some photos from there. The Catholic cemetery is on the south side. If you’ll send me your address, I have an interesting newspaper from 1903 that was done to promote Uniontown & tells a lot about the town. There is some info on the family in it. I need to get some information & it may be next week before I have time since i have my granddaughter here all weekend. I’ll dig through all I have! Karen
Hello Karen – I was just wondering if you know the names of each of the Hamilton family members in that wonderful family photo….or, if you don’t know them, I have a photo that has the names on it. I just came across it as I was looking through some old pictures, As I recall, Steve’s grandmother, Helen Hamilton (Tide’s wife) gave me the names as we were looking at the photo. So I wrote them on a xerox copy…..I’d be happy to share/compare them with you if you’d like. It is from a photo that was included in a Miami County Ohio pictorial history book – which has a Family History section. There is also a story that accompanies it…history of the Hamiltons in Troy Ohio. If you would like, I can send you a copy.- either by snail mail or by email if I can get our scanner to work.
I would love to have a copy. I have the names from the photos but would like to confirm them. My mother & I went through them & then I met Max Hamilton’s granddaughters last year & they helped with the one we questioned. My email is khfraser@cox.net.
Hi again – I just now read your reply that you sent before I sent my latest note to you. So…I would love to see the article, and hear the stories about other people that lived there…..but you have fun with your grand daughter…I love spending time with mine — and this genealogy search can surely wait. In the meantime…I can send those names if you don’t have them.
You had asked for my mailing address:
Kay Hamilton
2575 Rosewood Dr.
Troy, OH 45373
Karen, I really love this.
Thank you, Lucy!
OMG. You have had hard life. All the best you.
My life has been pretty easy compared to many in the world, but thank you for your note. I try to deal with life and death as we all have to and hope my writing helps others. Have a great day!
How can I post my memory stories?
I have a subscription to Word Press. I pay $99 a year. You should look into it. You are great at telling a story & it’s a nice way to preserve them. I have met some very interesting people & even conbected to relatives.
Hey there Karen Hamilton,
Bea Notley’s daughter here. Gathering up kind comments made by my mother’s former students to present to her in a album. (Large print, of course!) Was delighted to find Karen’s “Confetti Thoughts” article about her visit with Mom a few years back.
You’re right, Karen Farris writes beautifully. Spent the morning reading (and savoring) her work. Such insight and humility is a rare gift.
A gift her family, friends and even perfect stranger will treasure.
Marianne Notley
Thank you – I’m pleased to have my blogpost included in Bea’s album. I hope to get up to see her very soon now that I’ve had my vaccinations! Hooray!
Caught With Their Pants Down
During the sixth grade during 1954 in an elementary school located in the West Tulsa area, our six-grade homeroom teacher was “stunning” to say the least. She was the subject of conversation then and many decades later in life as the same guys that were in that class would get together and mention her name just to remember her, at least, one more time. Whatever she was teaching us she always had our attention. To carry books for her from her car, erase the blackboard, empty the trash bucket for her at the end of class or just anything she wanted not one of us boys would ever refuse.
It was during one spring day that all of the girls left the classroom to follow our homeroom teacher to see a special movie that wasn’t allowed to be seen by the boys. That upset us guys because we boys weren’t told of why just the girls got to go to the movie. Well, later in life we were told why but, that’s not important in this story. Our lovely teacher accompanied the girls after telling us boys left in the classroom what pages of the lesson book we were to read while they were gone.
After about 5 minutes, four of the guys got to stirring around just to do something other than reading the required book pages. Running a race around in the room was suggested and those few boys did just that while the rest of us watched. Then a more daring idea was shouted out by one of the four and that was to drop their jeans and race around inside the classroom with the jeans around their feet and their underwear still in place. The laughter was plentiful as they “scooted” in their race until the classroom door opened up. A higher-pitched voice than ever was heard from our lovely teacher when she called out to the boys caught with their pants down, “Pull up your pants and follow me to the office!” As those four left the room while buckling their belts the rest of us were totally quiet for the rest of that hour.
It was later found out that a lady living in the house across the street had seen through the school class window what was happening and called the school’s office to report the event. I never inquired, nor was ever told, as to what happened once those four boys got to the office. I assume it was just what I would expect had happened, no doubt.
What a great story. Thank you for sharing.
Ave,
Bea Notley’s daughter here. You’ll be pleased to know that the intrepid “Mrs. Notley” is still with us. Imagine living 100 years!
As they say, “Old Latin teachers never die, they just decline.” (ouch)
Wanted to thank you for the delightful “Confetti Thoughts” article describing your visit with my mother some years back. You write beautifully, you know. Such honesty and humility are a rare gift.
Thank you,
Marianne Notley.
Thank you, Marianne. I enjoyed talking with Bea a couple of weeks ago and will call her agin soon! She is such a treasure!
Karen
I just read your work on Nylajo Harvey. Wonderful story that touched my heart.
Thank you so much. She was very special.