San Antonio Rd . Painting Donated
By Pamela Baird MVHA President
Several weeks ago the MVHA received an offer of a large painting from Charlie Holman . While we often receive offers of historic items , this item especially caught our attention .
It ’ s large format ( 40 ” x 46 ”) depicts a scene showing the former Sears department store on San Antonio Road during the late 1980s , with our city ’ s iconic view of the Santa Cruz Mountains in the distance . Mr . Holman initially purchased the painting for his office in Palo Alto and later moved it to the home he shares with his wife in Paradise , California . His desire to donate the painting is because , “ We enjoyed it for many years and it ’ s time for others to do the same and we don ’ t have room .”
Unfortunately , the artist is unknown , as the signature on the painting is only the initials ( AHS ) of the artist . No other markings are on the back of the painting . If anyone knows who the artist might be , please reach out to us !
Fond memories of the store prompted Mr . Holman to write , “ I remember going to Sears all the time as a kid . I could never pass up the popcorn and candy kiosk in the middle of the store .” The Sears store had an iconic California look when constructed . Twin bent palm trees graced the front of the building . A large cursive Sears logo was illuminated from behind by neon lighting . In 2011 the Sears store , as well as the surrounding shopping center , was torn down . In its place , the mixed-use Village at San Antonio Center was built over the next six years .
MVHA Board members remarked about the Sears store as well . The wide sparkly sidewalk framing the store was remembered by many . Nick Perry remarked “ My mom ’ s ( Gloria Perry ) first job was working the candy counter and popping the popcorn at Sears .” We hope to find a good place to display the painting in the History Center so it can spark fond memories or curious questions about this rapidly-changing corner of Mountain View .
Financial Report
By Emily Ramos MVHA Treasurer
Checking Account Balance as of 1 / 01 / 2022 : $ 21,204.06
YTD Income : $ 2,264.10 Majority Sources : Memberships and Donations YTD Expenses : $ 3,632.06 Majority Sources : MVHA Gateway Sign , Website Redesign , Zoom Subscription , Newsletter Printing , Adobe Building Rental .
Checking Account Balance as of 9 / 1 / 2022 : $ 19,836.10
Finding Your Family History
By Robert Cox MVHA Vice President
Can I research my family history for free or do I need to subscribe to online services or even hire a professional genealogist ?
When it comes to researching your family history in the USA , there is a lot you can do today online for free . The Mormon church ’ s website www . familysearch . org is a great free source of census , birth , death , and military enlistment records . Most people who have American ancestors can trace their family tree back to at least 1850-1870 using this site . The other two great free sources to check out are www . findagrave . com ( for cemetery records ) and www . wikitree . com ( for submitted family records ). You should check out these free resources before spending any money .
If you are willing to spend some money , a subscription to Ancestry is probably the best place to start . Watch for sales around the holidays if you are cost-conscious . A subscription to USA records is also less expensive than an access to worldwide records . Ancestry ’ s worldwide records are primarily from the British Isles and Canada . They include some USA records , like the Social Security Claims Index and recent birth records from some states , that are not available on Family Search . They also include photos from high school yearbooks and public family trees submitted by members . Ancestry also lets you contact other subscribers through their private e-mail service . I have met many of my distant cousins this way , with whom I have shared interesting family stories .
Another paid service worth exploring is www . newspapers . com , which provides searchable online access to newspapers . Note that there are two level subscriptions provided . The more expensive one provides access to a much larger collection of newspapers . Small town newspapers often provide an insight into our ancestors ’ day-to-day life . For example , I found notes in a local Ohio newspaper about when my great-grandfather Perry Cox lost his hat at a Methodist revival and when his son headed out to California to seek his fortune .
Hiring a professional genealogist can be useful , but expensive . Understand that you will pay by the hour , not by what results are obtained .
In my next column , I will talk about military records and why they are so useful .
Mtn . View Family History Fun Fact !
Mayor Lucas Ramirez ’ s grandparents were founding parishioners of St . Athanasius Church on Rengstorff Avenue . Here they are with Father John Cooper , long-time pastor of the church .
Certificates of Deposit Balance as of 9 / 1 / 2022 : $ 60,562.38
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