A Glimpse into a Murphy Family Thanksgiving: 1961

As we gather around our modern Thanksgiving tables this year, I share with you photos from a special family Thanksgiving dinner from 1961. These cherished photos capture the warmth, laughter, and timeless traditions that brought four Murphy families together that year. Join me on a journey back to that memorable day, where the scent of roast turkey filled the air, and the house was filled with love and laughter.

The four Murphy families include my father-in-law, Earl Murphy, and his three brothers: Ralph, Raymond, and Glenn Murphy. They also had a sister, Evelyn, who lived in Arizona and was unable to attend. Earl, the youngest of the five, along with his siblings, were the children of Charles Homer Murphy and Dessie Church of Littleton, Wetzel County, West Virginia. The family gathered at Raymond’s house located on Mills Road in St. Clairsville, Ohio to celebrate Thanksgiving. 

Marjorie (looking back), Glenn, Mary, Ralph, Mary Gertrude, Earl,
and Jean Murphy. Raymond was likely behind the camera.

 

Murphy cousins: My husband Charles is in the center in a dark shirt,
while his sister Colleen is on the right in a white shirt.

Mary, Glenn, Marjorie, Jean, Earl, and Mary Gertrude.

Murphy cousins: My sister-in-law Colleen is the young girl facing the camera.

Glenn

 

Raymond

Murphy brothers: Earl, Glenn, Raymond, and Ralph.

Murphy wives: Marjorie (Raymond), Jean (Ralph), Mary (Earl),
and Mary Gertrude (Glenn).

Marjorie (holding the plate), Glenn, Mary, Raymond, Mary Gertrude, Earl,
and Jean. Ralph was likely taking the photo.

Raymond and Murphy cousins

Marjorie and Raymond carving the turkey

Raymond

 

Raymond, Marjorie, and Murphy cousin

 

Marjorie looking at the camera

It looks like my husband Charles kept himself entertained with an Etch A Sketch, which first hit the market in 1960, while sitting on the couch with his father Earl as dinner was being prepared.

Charles and his father Earl

Marjorie 

Glenn and Mary Gertrude

Mary Gertrude, Murphy cousin, and Colleen

Ralph, usually behind the camera, found himself in front of the lens this time

These photos are part of the Ralph Murphy photo archive, which my husband received from his Aunt Jean in 2012, and I digitized in 2015. This extensive collection includes 21 boxes of slides, totaling thousands, all captured by Uncle Ralph. The images span the years from 1947 to 1984 and feature scenic shots from their travels across the United States, glimpses of family members, and candid moments with friends and co-workers. I hope you have enjoyed them. To see others from his collection, click here.

References

• Etch A Sketch; https://www.encyclopedia.com/history/culture-magazines/etch-sketch. 
• Personal memories of Charles Murphy.