“My grandmother went up and down the stairs between the basement, first, and second floors with new linens, food, water, etc.”

Ancestor: Edith Ann Tate Morton

Descendant: Mary Ann E.

My grandmother, Edith, was the only one in the family who did not get the Spanish flu in the winter of 1918-1919.

They lived in Mason City, Iowa and of course it was cold and lots of snow. My grandfather, my mom (8), her brother (12), and sister (4) were all sick.

My grandmother went up and down the stairs between the basement, first, and second floors with new linens, food, water, etc. She had a wringer washer and had to dry everything on a clothesline in the basement.

Everyone recovered and my aunt was born January 20, 1919. So, now imagine being 8 months pregnant and doing all of the above!