Los Angeles - 1937

Elizabeth Emmert & Mary Burnet McAdam

I thought it might be fun to blog about our Los Angeles relatives and a trip that Net and Billy Waning took to L.A. in 1937, while we were in Los Angeles for the Rose Bowl in 2009-2010.  You can read a letter written in 1937 and judge just how much, or how little L.A. has changed over the yaers.

Janet McAdam Waning's oldest sister, Mary Burnet was born 17 August 1863 in Glasgow, the daughter of Mary Burnet.  There is no name for her father listed on her birth certificate - her maternal grandmother, Agnes Robertson Burnet was the witness on the certificate.

Mary was about five years old when she emigrated to the U.S. with her mother, her younger sister Jean Burnet, and Matthew McAdam.  They settled first in Iowa, and then moved to Minnesota.  From 1870 on Mary is listed as Mary McAdam in all census records and other civil registration documents.  The only mention that she is a 1/2 sister is in 1927 -  Matthew McAdam's dated that year lists her and Jean as a "step daughters".    

Mary visited a maternal aunt, Agnes Wallace in Dayton, OH and there she met and married Harris Emert on the 2nd June 1892.They had one child - Robert Emmert born 14 March 1893 in Dayton. Yes, Robert changed the spelling of Emert to Emmert.  Sometime before 1910 the Emert family moved to Los Angeles living just west of Dodger Stadium.  And by the 1920 census they had neighbors in the rapidly growing movie industry - an actor, a mechanic, and an assistant director.

Robert Emmert married Marjorie Corey and they had one child, Elizabeth Emmert born in 1919, she married Del Yount.  The photo above shows Mary Burnet (McAdam) Emert with her grand daughter, Elizabeth Emmert.

Mary's husband Harry died in early 1937, and Janet and Billy Waning took the train down to be with her.  Another sister, Agnes McAdam Ingvalson came out from Blooming Prairie so there was a small McAdam family reunion.  Mary continued to live in L.A. after her husband's death, she died the 21st September 1947.

Letter from Janet McAdam Waning to Margaret Upton Waning

"1401 Glendale Blvd

Los Angeles, Cal

Feb 10 Wed night 9:30

Hello all my loved ones -

My it seems like we've been away for so long - We sleep late so the days aren't so long.  We've been up so late every night - Agnes left last night at 8:40 on the Challenger - She was just fine & made lots of acquaintances - many in to say good bye to her - Mary's door bell has hardly had a rest since I've been here.  

So many making condolence calls folks that have lived in their houses and become friends - She has so many very dear friends.  She is doing just fine - She is sleeping alone now & Billy & I are upstairs.  Yesterday Agnes & Billy went with Marjory to look up those friends of Miss Browns at Huntington Park & that is right near San Pedro & I told Billy to try & locate Carl Johnston - but you know Billy - he didn't bother - I haven't their their address - so if you find it in that address book & send it down I'll try & see them before I come back.  Marjory will drive us around any time - so Robert said - Today Lena Hanson that girl from B.P. took Billy and I to Angeles Temple - and oh say that is a place - The main assembly room has a seating capacity of 5300 - We went thru the building first and then took in the healing service - and I won't take time here to describe that - We'll tell you about that - We stayed to the finish - a little better than Agnes.  We didn't get back until five o'clock.

Mary rented her house yesterday $32.50 per - Mon & wife & two children 5 & 7 or some thing like that - We are listening to the Hill Billies, and Harry took Agnes out to the Barn Dance the Sat night before he went.

Los Angeles has no more flowers at present than Eugene - & not so many green lawns but it is different than I thought in that it is hilly - so many hills in & around it & beautiful residences etc - Lots of wonderful bridges & tunneling to make the roads safer for traffic - but you have to wait to hear about it.

Now about the turkeys - I think it best to get the 30c turkeys. The 10th wouldn't be so late and now I'm going to enclose a letter to Mrs John Sayers & you folks can read it & then send it to her - Now I must get at it -

Beth is tall (quite) & thin, & doesn't laugh much - looks find of fagged out - Her Bob is tall - not very handsome, but they are sort of lovelorn looking - I'm writing & listening to the radio so excuse the writing.  Los is fine but give me home, the "kids" and Newman - Billy will be back latter part of next week.  I'll write again - heaps of love to all three.  Ma

The weather is about like Oregon - only no rain since last Sat - Then it was a down pour during the funeral - too bad - You'd be surprised how Mary bears up - and Jim is to have Harry's wrist watch. 

Love from Mary & Pop "

"Thurs - PM

Dear Margaret,

Your letter came today, so glad you are getting along so well - Guess you and New'm are hooking up pretty good - I tho't maybe the snows were over - I don't see where it all comes from.  We tho't you'd get the message Sunday.  We've had a card from Agnes as she was going thru the desert - She was feeling fine, had double seat, not many on but would get a berth that night.  She said it was getting lots colder & ice over all the streams - A letter came for her today from Blooming P. & it looks like Albert's writing - so he isn't in Rochester - He tho't he'd go to see about his ears.

Papers say storm approaching -

Well I must go and get paper & write Agnes - Your hens would beat mine hey & oh well they are depressed because I'm not in to see them -

Love & kisses to you three

try not to quarrel over them

from "Mom" & "Pop"

You can see what New'm thinks of the letter to Mrs Sayers - You can re write one if he wants any changes - ad Mrs John Sayer, Halsey, Ore

Billy is asleep on couch - Marj & 3 sisters were here this a.m all jolly - Marj is a great kidder."    

Janet McAdam Waning circa 1935