'Turnback Tuesday' highlights book used by siblings for 2 different reasons

Turnback Tuesday looks at a book that was used by two family members for very different reasons.

William J. Murray worked for R. N. Bassett Co. in 1902 and 1903 as a clerk. He used this book to keep a record of wire gauges that were used.

The R. N. Bassett Co. at this time was located on the corner of Third and Housatonic Avenue in Derby. They made skirts and corset wire.

William’s sister, Virginia, got a hold of this book and decided to make it her own. She used it to record school events especially her graduation year from Shelton High School in 1911.

Virginia ((or “Ginger” as her classmates called her), was one of 17 to graduate. She also used this book to paste and write down recipes.

Virginia became a teacher, moved to Derby, and her first teaching job was at Lafayette School in Shelton in 1915. She held this position for three years. In 1918, she taught at Hawthorne School in Shelton and then in 1920, Virginia became a teacher at Irving School in Derby. She transferred to Lincoln School to teach in 1924, and in 1927, Virginia moved to Waterbury.

This book is a recent donation to the Library from Joseph DiRienzo.

Thank you to the Shelton Public Library for their help in locating Virginia's listing in the Shelton High School yearbook.

Thanks goes to the Derby Public Library staff for sharing interesting local history each week.