Ávalos Picnic from Long Ago

Back in December 2010, I posted some pictures that I scanned from negatives that belonged to my grandparents. Here are four more photos showing a picnic in the Ávalos Colony garden. My guess is these were taken in the 1940′s. I love seeing my family in these photos.

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Ávalos Smelter Baghouse Report

At one point in my grandfather Renie Wilson’s career at the Ávalos smelter, he worked in the baghouse. Below is a March 5, 1945 report detailing work on the baghouse. I know nothing of the smelting process but after reading this report I felt I needed to at least understand what a baghouse is! Maybe [...]

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Black and White Negatives of Ávalos from Long Ago

I’m scanning this stack of old negatives which include the images below of an Ávalos smelter picnic in the Colony garden. I’m not sure of the date of these photos but I see my grandparents Renie and Catherine Wilson and my great aunt Julia Morris in a few of them.

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In the Garden

This video taken between 1939-1941 comes from my grandparents, Renie and Catherine Wilson. I believe most of it was taken during 4th of July celebrations in the Colony. It seemed to be a time for everyone to relax and enjoy the day. I’m so grateful that my grandparents took the video and that their daughters [...]

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Marriages in Ávalos

Familysearch.org is a great resource to discover marriage records for Iglesia San Jose in Ávalos. If you visit the site, be sure to include under location Ávalos, Chihuahua, Mexico. My grandparents, Renie Wilson and Catherine Felicitas Wilson, were married in Iglesia San Jose on August 16, 1934. I thought you might enjoy seeing their marriage [...]

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My Family…the Morris and Wilson Sides

This video shot around 1941 by my grandparents, Renie and Catherine Wilson, shows children at play during a birthday party (including my mom Flossy Wilson and my aunt Catina Wilson) and a few members of the Morris and Wilson sides of my family. Fred Wilhelmi, first cousin to my mother Flossy and my aunt Catina [...]

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Inside Quinta #21

A few photos of my grandparents, Renie and Catherine Wilson, with their grandson David Shupe and my mother, Florence Wilson. These were taken inside Quinta #21 at the Ávalos smelter colony in the late 1950′s.

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American Smelting and Refinery Company 25 Year Club

Below is a certificate my grandfather received for his 25 years of service with American Smelting and Refinery Company in 1950. He would continue with the company until his death in 1959.

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Colony Housing at the Avalos Smelter

Below is a partial scan of a Contrato de Arrendamiento for my grandfather, Renie Wilson, to lease his home, Quinta #21, from ASARCO for $9.00 a month in 1939.

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“Growing up in Avalos was like paradise on Earth.”

Today, I received a wonderful call from Catherine Austin Thomas, my second cousin on my mother’s side. Catherine lived in Avalos from 1931-1948. Her mother, Nellie Wilson Austin, was my grandfather Renie’s eldest sister. My grandfather’s family included his parents William and Catherine Decker Wilson, their children, Nellie Wilson Austin, twins Renie Wilson and Marcelle [...]

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