A Genealogical Inquiry (Part One): A Thanksgiving Conversation

My mother, Nancy Karazsia, and my grandmother, Ernie Ferry during Thanksgiving dinner 2015. (By Grant Karazsia)

It is hard to imagine a time when your grandparents were the same age as you. From my vantage, Ernie Ferry, as she is known in the Linton community, appeared throughout most of life as a wise sage -- bursting forth with information and experience. It is perhaps egocentric not to imagine your elders actually lived lives well before you were born.

After finishing Thanksgiving dinner and before dessert, I had the opportunity to ask my grandmother a barrage of questions about her past and her upbringing.

There are a few items which should be noted: My grandmother retains a certain French refinement when dining formerly -- always a glass of robust red wine is sipped during dinner and a cup of black coffee follows after the conclusion of the meal.

Before desert was served, my grandmother, who sat across the table from me, was softly sipping her cup of coffee when I asked the first question about the origins of our family.

Quick note: For narrative purposes, my grandmother will be referred to as Ernie Ferry, which feels often absurd to write considering I have only known her as "grandma."

Also, the etymology of the name Prudhomme directly translates from French to mean proud (prud) man (homme).

Ferry's grandfather, Ernest Prudhomme, worked in the coal mines in Besseges, France before he secured passage to the United States.

"The region they lived in was know for their coal mining and for its silk mining, more specifically for their silk worms," Ferry said.

In 1902, Ernest first immigrated to Arkansas, then moved shortly afterwards to Alabama where two of Ernie's aunts were born.

"I never asked them why they left Alabama. I assume it was because they didn't like the weather, but then they shortly settled in Linton," Ferry said.

One of the drawls of Linton for Ernest was, during the early part of the 20th Century, many other French migrants lived in the Linton community at the time. Following their arrival, Ernest continued his career as a coal miner while my great-great grandmother, Melanie Prudhomme, opened a grocery store in the northwest portion of the city.

Ernest's tenure at the mine would be short-lived.

Both Ernest and Melanie's children died in the 1920s of tuberculous after moving to Linton, which caused a shift in the family.

"What my father (Paul) told me is my grandmother did not want to live anymore after her daughters died. She just laid down and died. I guess she didn't care about grandpa," Ferry added with a laugh.

Faced with a difficult decision, Ernest decided to take over the responsibilities of the grocery store, but faced a greater challenge shortly following: The Great Depression.

The Great Depression afflicted many families across the United States, especially the Prudhomme family, who would often allow patrons to buy on credit even though the ability to pay was limited.

"People could not pay their bills or their creditors, so he had to make the difficult decision to close the store," Ferry said.

Prior to the Great Depression, my great-grandfather Paul Prudhomme married his wife Trella in the early 1920s. Paul was working in Anderson, Ind. at Delco Remy (a manufacturer) when Ernie was born. Paul and Trella had three children: Ernie, Jim and Pauline.

Born Ernestine Prudhomme (named after her aunt Ernestine Prudhomme who died of tuberculous) in 1924, Ferry spent the first five years of her life in comfort before the Great Depression. For those who lived during that point in our country's history, there was little to be optimistic about considering 24.9 percent of the total work force of the United States, or 11,385,000 people, were unemployed.

Following the Great Depression, Paul was out of work. But it was through the programs of the New Deal, where he was able to find employment.

Even to this day, whenever Ferry mentions FDR, it is generally complimented with a tone of gratitude.

"(Paul) worked in the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) and the WPA (Works Progress Administration). What he did during the summer time was he taught young people how to play baseball as a playground instructor. I know a lot of young people really admired him.

"One of the biggest CCC camps was in Shakamak in Jasonville. And they also helped at Humphreys Park by building the stoneware for the shelter houses," Ferry said.

Though a variety of programs and measures would be implemented by Roosevelt's administration, it would not be until the onset of World War II until the Great Depression would conclude.

Upcoming story: Part Two of this series will be published at a later date.

Grant is a staff writer for the Greene County Daily World. He can be reached by telephone at (812) 798-5447. He can also be reached via email at gkarazsia@gmail.com.