Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Dennis Donovan

(29,262 posts)
Fri Jan 24, 2025, 01:25 PM Jan 24

PopeHat: Who was Mrs. Fred J. Martin (Altadena fire)

Domestic Enemy Hat‬ ‪
@kenwhite.bsky.social‬
20m
Who was Mrs. Fred J. Martin — likely named Carol? Who still loved or even remembered her, 90 years after this condolence telegram that blew from a fire-ravaged neighborhood in Altadena into a distant yard?

A neighbor found this in her yard and posted it on Facebook.

/1


Domestic Enemy Hat‬
@kenwhite.bsky.social‬
17m
/2 Winds are strong in the foothills of the San Gabriels at the edge of the Angeles National Forrest. One year they blew our front doors open, tearing the deadbolt through wood. This year they have scattered the precious detritus of lives, of the history of people, across the area of the Eaton fire.

‪Domestic Enemy Hat‬ ‪
@kenwhite.bsky.social‬
10m
/3 Thousands of homes were destroyed in the Eaton fire. Out of the firestorm, into the winds, arose a cloud of charred letters, documents, photos, pages from books, bits of art. These were how we measure people’s lives.

Domestic Enemy Hat‬ ‪
@kenwhite.bsky.social‬
7m
/4 It’s obviously tragic because of the lives lost, the homes lost, the communities lost. But it makes me pensive. Maybe it’s because I am still going through my father’s things, looking at old pictures of people I don’t know, people whom nobody alive can identify for me.


Domestic Enemy Hat
‪@kenwhite.bsky.social‬
/5 Anyway, if anyone knows a descendent of Fred J. Martin of Los Angeles, a descendent who lived in the Altadena area, someone has some of their memories they thought were gone.
January 24, 2025 at 1:08 PM


https://bsky.app/profile/kenwhite.bsky.social/post/3lgiyhxgo322e
10 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies

chowder66

(10,143 posts)
2. I sent him information about the family. I found them via Ancestry.
Fri Jan 24, 2025, 02:31 PM
Jan 24

A great grandson is in Altadena.

chia

(2,463 posts)
8. Not everyone does. They hesitate, or put it off and someone else does it. You did it. So thank you! :)
Fri Jan 24, 2025, 06:39 PM
Jan 24

chowder66

(10,143 posts)
3. He's going to pass the information along to the neighbor that found the letters/telegram in their yard.
Fri Jan 24, 2025, 02:44 PM
Jan 24

chowder66

(10,143 posts)
5. I just hope it works!
Fri Jan 24, 2025, 02:59 PM
Jan 24

There aren't a lot of genealogists on bluesky yet so I figured I would take a crack at it and see if I could find someone.
Fred Martin is a very common name. Even with the middle initial it isn't easy but the address was the key.

chowder66

(10,143 posts)
10. Oh I definitely found a great grandson... who is 80 years old.
Fri Jan 24, 2025, 07:42 PM
Jan 24

I might follow up with the bluesky poster in a few days to see if there are any updates.

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»PopeHat: Who was Mrs. Fre...