Dina Sleiman: 19th Century Family Treasures & Giveaway

This week we welcome Dina Sleiman to Author Memories.

Dina Sleiman writes lyrical stories that dance with light. Most of the time you will find this Virginia Beach resident reading, biking, dancing, or hanging out with her husband and three children, preferably at the oceanfront. 
Since finishing her Professional Writing MA in 1994, she has enjoyed many opportunities to teach literature, writing, and the arts. Dina is represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of The Steve Laube Agency. She has recently become an acquisitions editor for WhiteFire as well. Join her as she discovers the unforced rhythms of grace.

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19th Century Family Treasures
by Dina Sleiman

My great grandfather, affectionately known to us as Great Pop pop, was also a great story teller. He would regale us with tales of life at the turn of the century. With stories of our eclectic relatives. Everything from Native Americans, to inventors, to a real life signer of the Declaration of Independence. Having a bit of the story telling bug myself, I always wanted to get his tales down on paper.

I have such fond memories of this old man. Toward the end of his life I started cleaning his house. He would pay twelve-year-old me an exorbitant amount to dust and vacuum. Of course at twelve, such things are actually fun. And his treasure trove of a house made it even more fun. The lovely antiques I dusted with care. The ingenious mechanical stairway leading to the attic that he'd invented himself. But perhaps most precious were those moments when, through a glimpse in the mirror, I'd catch him watching me clean. The beatific grin on his face as he leaned back in his recliner with his hands crossed over his ample belly was priceless. Then afterward he would take me out to eat, which, if you've ever driven with a man in his eighties, you will understand was quite a harrowing and exciting adventure in and of itself.

We never got Great Pop Pop's stories down on paper. But when he passed away unexpectedly, we were left with the treasures at his house. I inherited an antique bedroom set which legend claimed belonged to a Pennsylvania governor, and I still use pieces from it today. My mom claimed an old chest filled with even more treasures. A 19th century family album and an authentic Victorian gown. These treasures told stories of their own, and I'd like to share some of them with you.

Here's a great one to start with. I'm guessing Civil War era. Union soldier. Love the sword. Not sure how many generations back that would be. Maybe six. Likely his name was John Scutter Dickey, as there were several of them around that time.

And I suppose these ladies in their hoop skirts must be from about the same period. Sisters of the soldier? Look at how incredibly long their skirts are. I have to wonder if they were standing on something for the pictures. The first appears to be in mourning. Hopefully not for the soldier.

Don't you think either of these ladies could make a lovely heroine for a novel. Oh, oh, for the sake of the story, maybe they're not his sisters.  Maybe the one in black is mourning the loss of her fiance in the war and in sweeps handsome hero above who managed to survive. What should this one's story be? Quite a refined lady, isn't she?

What about this funny looking little guy? I wonder what he thinks of the outfit and the curls. Bet he just wants to go outside and play. Although, if I'm not mistaken, he looks rather resigned to the situation. Perhaps a small bribe on the part of his parents?

In case your wondering if this is actually my family or if I'm making this all up, here's a picture from a little later in the album.

And here's a picture of my brother, Jonah Dickey, in 1996. Yeah, I'm pretty sure this is my family.

From towards the end of the album, this is my full-blooded Seneca great great grandmother with a baby on her lap who might well be my great grandfather. Of course it looks more like a girl, but I believe she had six or seven boys and only one girl. So odds are, it isn't a girl. And didn't they dress baby boys in fancy dresses back then? (See boy in curls above.) Note that this baby is sitting on a log. Not quite the upscale scene of the earlier photos.

And now for the finale, here's a picture of me at age fifteen in that Victorian Era gown that we found. The wrap is actual horsehair. Note the lovely jeweled buttons, the velvet hat, and the authentic muff. Of course, I didn't have the bustle to properly fill out the back. Our best guess is that this belonged to the same great great grandmother in the picture. It was long, even for 5' 10" me.

So I hope you enjoyed this little trip through our family treasures. I know my mom and I had a fun time preparing it for you.

Have you ever found any family treasures? What are some of your favorite keepsakes? What sort of stories do they spawn in your mind.

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GIVEAWAY!
Leave a comment with a valid email address by midnight, January 29th
to be entered for a free ebook version of Dina's  debut release,
Dance of the Dandelion

Note: If the winner already has Dance of the Dandelion, 
they can use the promotion code for any WhiteFire novel.
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Dance of the Dandelion, WhiteFire Publishing, Oct 2011 

Love's quest leads her the world over.

Dandelion Dering was born a peasant in the English village of Arun, but her soul yearned for another life, another world. One filled with color and music, with adventure and passion  . . . with more. Haunted by childhood memories, Dandelion determines to find a better existence than the life every peasant in the village contents themselves with. Even if her sweetheart William’s predictions prove true, and her journey leads straight to heartache.

From her sleepy hamlet to the intrigue of castle life, from the heart of London to the adventurous seas, Dandelion flees from the mistakes of her past, always seeking that something, that someone who will satisfy her longings. Will Dandelion ever find the rhythm to her life's dance . . . or did she leave her chance for true love at home in Arun village?

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You can find Dina Sleiman online at the following sites:

www.dinasleiman.com
www.inkwellinspirations.com