Welcome to our blog, where we embark on a captivating journey through time, exploring the rich tapestry of history and genealogy.
In this edition, we'll delve into the treasure trove of historical news articles dated July 31, unearthing stories that resonate with genealogists and history enthusiasts alike.
From local happenings to global events, we'll uncover the stories that shaped the lives of our ancestors, providing valuable insights for those on a quest to discover their roots.
So, grab your magnifying glass and step into the past as we unravel the July 31 historical headlines that may hold the missing pieces of your family's history puzzle.
Fairlee, Vermont, USA (Ely)
Fairlee, Vt., July 30. - Fire that destroyed the Danforth House here today caused the death of four persons and the injury of two others, one probably fatally.
MISS EFFIE PERKINS of Flushing, L. I., and MISS FLORENCE ALBEE of Springfield, Mass, were burned to death.
MISS PERKIN'S parents, MR. and MRS. C. E. PERKINS, were so badly injured that they died within a short time.
MISS BERNICE BEAN of Springfield, Mass., who jumped from a third-story window, is believed to have been fatally... Read MORE...
The New York Times - New York, New York - July 31, 1912
Comments
1912 - FOUR KILLED IN HOTEL FIRE. C. E. PERKINS, WIFE, AND DAUGHTER OF FLUSHING DIE OF BURNS AT FAIRLEE, VT.
Fairlee, Vt., July 30. - Fire that destroyed the Danforth House here today caused the death of four persons and the injury of two others, one probably fatally.
MISS EFFIE PERKINS of Flushing, L. I., and MISS FLORENCE ALBEE of Springfield, Mass, were burned to death.
MISS PERKIN'S parents, MR. and MRS. C. E. PERKINS, were so badly injured that they died within a short time.
MISS BERNICE BEAN of Springfield, Mass., who jumped from a third-story window, is believed to have been fatally... Read MORE...
The New York Times - New York, New York - July 31, 1912
Comments
Joliet, Illinois, USA
MORNING MAIL TRAIN STRIKES AN OPEN SWITCH JUST WEST OF COAL CHUTES AND CRASHES INTO GRAVEL TRAIN--SEVERAL PEOPLE SERIOUSLY INJURED, ONE OR TWO, PERHAPS, FATALLY.
Joliet, Ill., July 31 - The morning mail train, passing Morris, going east, shortly after 5 this morning, was wrecked near the coal chutes in Joliet.
While running at a high rate of speed the train struck an open switch and crashed into a gravel train. Several cars were thrown from the track and the engine badly smashed up.
On ... Read MORE...
Morris Daily Herald - July 31, 1905
Comments
1905 - ROCK ISLAND TRAIN IS WRECKED AT JOLIET
MORNING MAIL TRAIN STRIKES AN OPEN SWITCH JUST WEST OF COAL CHUTES AND CRASHES INTO GRAVEL TRAIN--SEVERAL PEOPLE SERIOUSLY INJURED, ONE OR TWO, PERHAPS, FATALLY.
Joliet, Ill., July 31 - The morning mail train, passing Morris, going east, shortly after 5 this morning, was wrecked near the coal chutes in Joliet.
While running at a high rate of speed the train struck an open switch and crashed into a gravel train. Several cars were thrown from the track and the engine badly smashed up.
On ... Read MORE...
Morris Daily Herald - July 31, 1905
Comments
Manhattan, New York, USA (New York City) (New Amsterdam) (Washington Heights)
Five-Story Fall Didn’t Feaze [sic] Him
Seven-Year-Old, Emulating Feats of Firemen, Drops Through Tenement Clothes Lines. Four Broke Under Him
Fifth Held and a Neighbor Rescues Him-”I Ain’t Hurt; I Could Do It Again,” His Comment.
The conventional hero of melodrama whose life hung by a single thread was only a humdrum hero compared to 7-year-old Isidore Bloom of 25 Market Street, whose life hung successfully from five clotheslines in a roof-to-courtyard fall yesterday afternoon. Four of the ... Read MORE...
The New York Times - New York, New York - July 31, 1910
Comments
1910 - Saved by a Strong Clothesline
Five-Story Fall Didn’t Feaze [sic] Him
Seven-Year-Old, Emulating Feats of Firemen, Drops Through Tenement Clothes Lines. Four Broke Under Him
Fifth Held and a Neighbor Rescues Him-”I Ain’t Hurt; I Could Do It Again,” His Comment.
The conventional hero of melodrama whose life hung by a single thread was only a humdrum hero compared to 7-year-old Isidore Bloom of 25 Market Street, whose life hung successfully from five clotheslines in a roof-to-courtyard fall yesterday afternoon. Four of the ... Read MORE...
The New York Times - New York, New York - July 31, 1910
Comments

1800s Cooking Tips and Recipes
A Simple Apple Sauce

Camden, New Jersey, USA
200 HURT - CAUSE OF BURNING OIL AND CHEMICALS IN FACTORY NOT DETERMINED - PHILADELPHIA AND CHESTER FIREMEN AID.
Camden, N.J., July 31 - (UP) - Firemen, grotesquely clad in asbestos suits, began the grim search today through the rubble and still smouldering debris of the Camden fire for the bodies of nine men and women known missing and believed to have perished in the $2,000,000 blaze.
Two men were dead, a foreman and an employe of the R. M. HOLLINGSHEAD and Company, the world's largest... Read MORE...
Chester Times - Chester, Pennsylvania - July 31, 1940
Comments
1940 - CAMDEN FIRE LOSS SET AT TWO MILLION. SEARCH CONTINUES FOR NINE PERSONS REPORTED MISSING AFTER FIREMEN CONQUER FLAMES THAT CAUSE DEATH OF TWO - 54 HOUSES DESTROYED, RENDERING 1,000 WITHOUT HOMES -
200 HURT - CAUSE OF BURNING OIL AND CHEMICALS IN FACTORY NOT DETERMINED - PHILADELPHIA AND CHESTER FIREMEN AID.
Camden, N.J., July 31 - (UP) - Firemen, grotesquely clad in asbestos suits, began the grim search today through the rubble and still smouldering debris of the Camden fire for the bodies of nine men and women known missing and believed to have perished in the $2,000,000 blaze.
Two men were dead, a foreman and an employe of the R. M. HOLLINGSHEAD and Company, the world's largest... Read MORE...
Chester Times - Chester, Pennsylvania - July 31, 1940
Comments
1869 The first passenger car through from Sacramento arrived in New York at 8 a.m., on the 24th. It was Pullman's palace sleeping car Wahsatch, which left Sacramento at 6:30 p.m. on the 17th.
St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
July 31, 1869
Visit Sacramento, California, USA!
1790 July 31, 1790: George Washington signed the first United States Patent Grant to Samuel Hopkins of Pittsford, Vermont, for a new method of making Potash
The Old Farmer's Almanac www.almanac.com
July 31, 1790
Visit Pittsford, Vermont, USA!
1880 Scared Almost to Death.
At Asbury Park, N. J., a new $4,000 steam engine recently purchased was ordered out for trail. Engineer Bartine Greene, trying one of the steam-cocks, found there was but little water in it, and hurriedly turned on the pump-tank, but it would not admit water into the boiler. Thoroughly frightened, he forsook the engine, returned, and made frantic efforts to turn the pump. The boiler seemed at white hear, and now thoroughly convinced that an explosion must take place, he fled. After running...
Read MORE...
The Stevens Point Journal
Stevens Point, Wisconsin
July 31, 1880
Visit Asbury Park, New Jersey, USA!
St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
July 31, 1869
Visit Sacramento, California, USA!
1790 July 31, 1790: George Washington signed the first United States Patent Grant to Samuel Hopkins of Pittsford, Vermont, for a new method of making Potash
The Old Farmer's Almanac www.almanac.com
July 31, 1790
Visit Pittsford, Vermont, USA!
1880 Scared Almost to Death.
At Asbury Park, N. J., a new $4,000 steam engine recently purchased was ordered out for trail. Engineer Bartine Greene, trying one of the steam-cocks, found there was but little water in it, and hurriedly turned on the pump-tank, but it would not admit water into the boiler. Thoroughly frightened, he forsook the engine, returned, and made frantic efforts to turn the pump. The boiler seemed at white hear, and now thoroughly convinced that an explosion must take place, he fled. After running...
Read MORE...
The Stevens Point Journal
Stevens Point, Wisconsin
July 31, 1880
Visit Asbury Park, New Jersey, USA!

America - Did you know?
January 1, 1863 - Homestead Act becomes law, allowing settlers to claim land (160 acres) after they have lived on it for five years.
Quebec - Did you know?
Before its completion in 1919, the Quebec Bridge collapsed twice on September 11th, 1907 and August 29th, 1916.
Picture of the Day
Visit Milton, Massachusetts, USA!
Discover the people who lived there, the places they visited and the stories they shared.

Milton Water Front, 1907