I mentioned another favorite of mine, another history hero Margaret Mintz, author of several independently published book on the people and the industry on the Maurice River, two of which are treasures in my New Jersey history book collection. The counter-clerk, whose name I am sorry to say, I didn't write down, and I both spoke of our admiration for Shirley and she said she thought something should have been done to honor Shirely for hier remarkable career saving our history. I agree. If you look her up, you can find her obituary,she died February 20, 2011, age 83. I had called her phone number, listed in the magazine in the mid 2000's hoping the magazine was still in publication and wishing to get a subscription, but it had ceased publication in the earl7 2000's so at least, I was fortunate enough to speak to Shirley Bailey before she passed away and offer my praise for her accomplishment. If I had authored a magazine, it would have been this one. But I could never have made the contacts and connections Shirley had from growing up in the area. We owe an incalculable debt to Shirley and Margaret for their ceaseless efforts on behalf of saving our cultural history in South Jersey, a remarkable place.
There is a mention of the magazine on Barry's Ghosttowns site:
https://forums.njpinebarrens.com/threads/south-jersey-magazine.1513/
Richard Bailey is also deceased and he passed away in October of 2014. Margaret Mintz passed away in 2001 at the age of 92.
Along with these venerable historians and writers, I must mention Louisa Llewllyn of Gloucester City who wrote a book of history on that town which is out of print. I had a copy which I had purchased twice but both times my copy was purloined from my classrooms, once from the high school where I taught and once from the middle school. At least I was gratified to know someone was interested in the local history. During my teaching time, I tried to put local history projects into my curriculum as often as possible. Louisa was not only a respected and evoted historian, she was a mentor to many teachers and students during her long career and received Citizen of the Year awards from her home town. AS is so often the case looking back, I wish I had tried harder to keep in touch with her during her retirement and especially during mine. But I thank her and these other historians for their efforts on our behalf.
Shirley R. (Robbins) Bailey
Shirley R. (Robbins) Bailey, age 83, of Millville, died suddenly Sunday morning, Feb. 20, 2011, at her residence after a brief illness.
Born in Absecon, she grew up in Dividing Creek, Bridgeton and was a graduate of Bridgeton High School, class of 1945.
She was the publisher the "South Jersey Magazine" as well as other books relating to Sough Jersey History. Previously she had worked for Airwork Corporation, Millville as the computer department head. She retired in 2003. She will always be known as an authority on local history. - See more at: http://obits.nj.com/obituaries/southjerseytimes/obituary.aspx?n=shirley-r-bailey-robbins&pid=148790175&#sthash.m2GPEfi4.dpuf
Shirley R. (Robbins) Bailey, age 83, of Millville, died suddenly Sunday morning, Feb. 20, 2011, at her residence after a brief illness.
Born in Absecon, she grew up in Dividing Creek, Bridgeton and was a graduate of Bridgeton High School, class of 1945.
She was the publisher the "South Jersey Magazine" as well as other books relating to Sough Jersey History. Previously she had worked for Airwork Corporation, Millville as the computer department head. She retired in 2003. She will always be known as an authority on local history. - See more at: http://obits.nj.com/obituaries/southjerseytimes/obituary.aspx?n=shirley-r-bailey-robbins&pid=148790175&#sthash.m2GPEfi4.dpuf
Shirley R. (Robbins) Bailey
Shirley R. (Robbins) Bailey, age 83, of Millville, died suddenly Sunday morning, Feb. 20, 2011, at her residence after a brief illness.
Born in Absecon, she grew up in Dividing Creek, Bridgeton and was a graduate of Bridgeton High School, class of 1945.
She was the publisher the "South Jersey Magazine" as well as other books relating to Sough Jersey History. Previously she had worked for Airwork Corporation, Millville as the computer department head. She retired in 2003. She will always be known as an authority on local history.
- See more at: http://obits.nj.com/obituaries/southjerseytimes/obituary.aspx?n=shirley-r-bailey-robbins&pid=148790175&#sthash.m2GPEfi4.dpuf
Shirley R. (Robbins) Bailey, age 83, of Millville, died suddenly Sunday morning, Feb. 20, 2011, at her residence after a brief illness.
Born in Absecon, she grew up in Dividing Creek, Bridgeton and was a graduate of Bridgeton High School, class of 1945.
She was the publisher the "South Jersey Magazine" as well as other books relating to Sough Jersey History. Previously she had worked for Airwork Corporation, Millville as the computer department head. She retired in 2003. She will always be known as an authority on local history.
- See more at: http://obits.nj.com/obituaries/southjerseytimes/obituary.aspx?n=shirley-r-bailey-robbins&pid=148790175&#sthash.m2GPEfi4.dpuf
Shirley R. (Robbins) Bailey
Shirley R. (Robbins) Bailey, age 83, of Millville, died suddenly Sunday morning, Feb. 20, 2011, at her residence after a brief illness.
Born in Absecon, she grew up in Dividing Creek, Bridgeton and was a graduate of Bridgeton High School, class of 1945.
She was the publisher the "South Jersey Magazine" as well as other books relating to Sough Jersey History. Previously she had worked for Airwork Corporation, Millville as the computer department head. She retired in 2003. She will always be known as an authority on local history.
- See more at: http://obits.nj.com/obituaries/southjerseytimes/obituary.aspx?n=shirley-r-bailey-robbins&pid=148790175&#sthash.m2GPEfi4.dpuf
Shirley R. (Robbins) Bailey, age 83, of Millville, died suddenly Sunday morning, Feb. 20, 2011, at her residence after a brief illness.
Born in Absecon, she grew up in Dividing Creek, Bridgeton and was a graduate of Bridgeton High School, class of 1945.
She was the publisher the "South Jersey Magazine" as well as other books relating to Sough Jersey History. Previously she had worked for Airwork Corporation, Millville as the computer department head. She retired in 2003. She will always be known as an authority on local history.
- See more at: http://obits.nj.com/obituaries/southjerseytimes/obituary.aspx?n=shirley-r-bailey-robbins&pid=148790175&#sthash.m2GPEfi4.dpuf
Shirley R. (Robbins) Bailey
Shirley R. (Robbins) Bailey, age 83, of Millville, died suddenly Sunday morning, Feb. 20, 2011, at her residence after a brief illness.
Born in Absecon, she grew up in Dividing Creek, Bridgeton and was a graduate of Bridgeton High School, class of 1945.
She was the publisher the "South Jersey Magazine" as well as other books relating to Sough Jersey History. Previously she had worked for Airwork Corporation, Millville as the computer department head. She retired in 2003. She will always be known as an authority on local history.
- See more at: http://obits.nj.com/obituaries/southjerseytimes/obituary.aspx?n=shirley-r-bailey-robbins&pid=148790175&#sthash.m2GPEfi4.dpuf
Shirley R. (Robbins) Bailey, age 83, of Millville, died suddenly Sunday morning, Feb. 20, 2011, at her residence after a brief illness.
Born in Absecon, she grew up in Dividing Creek, Bridgeton and was a graduate of Bridgeton High School, class of 1945.
She was the publisher the "South Jersey Magazine" as well as other books relating to Sough Jersey History. Previously she had worked for Airwork Corporation, Millville as the computer department head. She retired in 2003. She will always be known as an authority on local history.
- See more at: http://obits.nj.com/obituaries/southjerseytimes/obituary.aspx?n=shirley-r-bailey-robbins&pid=148790175&#sthash.m2GPEfi4.dpuf
Shirley R. (Robbins) Bailey
Shirley R. (Robbins) Bailey, age 83, of Millville, died suddenly Sunday morning, Feb. 20, 2011, at her residence after a brief illness.
Born in Absecon, she grew up in Dividing Creek, Bridgeton and was a graduate of Bridgeton High School, class of 1945.
She was the publisher the "South Jersey Magazine" as well as other books relating to Sough Jersey History. Previously she had worked for Airwork Corporation, Millville as the computer department head. She retired in 2003. She will always be known as an authority on local history.
- See more at: http://obits.nj.com/obituaries/southjerseytimes/obituary.aspx?n=shirley-r-bailey-robbins&pid=148790175&#sthash.m2GPEfi4.dpuf
Shirley R. (Robbins) Bailey, age 83, of Millville, died suddenly Sunday morning, Feb. 20, 2011, at her residence after a brief illness.
Born in Absecon, she grew up in Dividing Creek, Bridgeton and was a graduate of Bridgeton High School, class of 1945.
She was the publisher the "South Jersey Magazine" as well as other books relating to Sough Jersey History. Previously she had worked for Airwork Corporation, Millville as the computer department head. She retired in 2003. She will always be known as an authority on local history.
- See more at: http://obits.nj.com/obituaries/southjerseytimes/obituary.aspx?n=shirley-r-bailey-robbins&pid=148790175&#sthash.m2GPEfi4.dpuf
I have just become aware of South Jersey magazine while looking for information on the Pennsylvania Reading shoreline. Don Wentzel wrote number of articles for the magazine. I think Don and Shirley co-authored a book on the railRoad. I would be very interested in getting involved with scanning the 30 years of issues of the excellent magazine and making them available online
ReplyDeleteDon Wentzel was a member of the West Jersey Chapter NRHS so he had access to a lot of people who knew the railroads first hand (we are losing these people fast) Are there any legal restrictions about scanning and posting?
DeleteDear JW, I could not find your name on your blog, but enjoyed your writing. I found your blog through this post. I found the post because I wanted to know more about Shirley because I found a book of hers, "Yesteryear on the Cohansey".
ReplyDeleteI'm fascinated with the compilation of pictures in the book. I love the detail the photos provide or the historic landscape. I have to say I am a bit saddened by the lack of any internet presence of the book, its pictures or Shirley.
I am an ecologist who recognizes the value of history in understanding the ecology of any place but especially the land along the Delaware Bay. You might be surprised how few people understand the history of the land along the bay especially natural resource folks.
Thanks for your blog. If you care to respond please do so at larry.niles@gmail.com