Category Archives: Genealogy

An Officer’s Salary (Roscoe)

: August 17, 1943 envelope

: August 17. 1943, p. 1

: August 17, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60 F.P.O. San Fran Calif.
Aug. 17, 1943

Dear Mother,

Yours of Aug. 2, 4 and 6^th came yesterday – The one with the financial statement was missing but you repeated a little so I have a fair idea. I don’t believe I would pay Ruth & Earl anything now that you have bought the bonds, etc. better keep a small reserve on hand – buying a bond once per month if you can. That was a false rumor about our pay so I couldn’t send any if I wanted to. If I were you I’d pay off the piano and then buy one bond per month unless of course it cuts you too short. We can always turn the bonds in and pay Mutch provided the our tax isn’t more than the bonds. So it’s just what you might call dealer’s choice.

I got a letter from Wayne W. and he was complaining about the amount of work he had to do and also said he hadn’t gotten away for a vacation as yet. Poor boy. No doubt people are working harder and trying to do more but they just can not forego the pleasures and vacations they once had with out some amount of complaining. I’m not feeling

[page 2] sorry for myself because an officer’s life isn’t so bad but it’s a 24 hour job seven days per week and it’s really tough on the boys that have to work hard. Of course that is true not only in this area but on all fronts – so it is a little “vexing” to hear one complain about not having a vacation.

Sacky has been was on the verge of being drafted when I left according to him and probably is still a little alarmed but maybe the hot breath of the draft board is finally blowing on the back of his neck. Officer’s salary does sound pretty good but I just have a $130 board bill to pay and what board especially in the beginning. Of course in the States there is also room & board – an enlisted man has none of that to worry about so there isn’t so much difference in the pay as one would expect.

My total salary now runs around 4000 but that is not all taxable and as I said above there is a deduction for food.

Well this letter has been more or less on the complaining side but I’m not that way all the time. I’ll try to be different next time.
Love Daddy

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/12/15/an-officers-salary-roscoe/

Something Like Whistle (Gladys)

1 Reply

: August 17, 1943 envelope

: August 17, 1943, p. 1

: August 17, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
Aug. 17 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

No letters again today but didn’t really expect any for a while after getting Aug. 3, 4, 5, 6 & John’s the 12^th. I know it comes in bunches. Had a letter from your mother that she would be up tomorrow if Dad doesn’t start hay fever – He has been taking shots and doesn’t know whether they will work or not. Had a letter from Glenn’s and they said they would come for a visit if I thought Mother could stand company. I wired them to come if possible. The way Mother is doing I am afraid she won’t get any better. She looks so frail – hasn’t eaten much for such a long time. She thinks after hot weather she will get better – The hot days last week were awfully hard on her. Last week so melting hot, now it’s so cool we have the house all closed. It was so cool last night I thought the heat might kick on, but we closed doors & windows and that kept the house comfortable. Mark’s 4-H outing will have a chilly time. Also Funks will find Northern Wisconsin a little cool I am afraid.

Zells told us we could gather their tomatoes while they are gone – I think we will get enough to can a few this evening but that won’t take long. I don’t particularily want many but we use a few along in the winter.

[page 2[ They are selling for 10¢ a lb now – and with so many people having gardens – I would think they would be lower in price – We have all we need in our garden but there is not enough yet to can. We have canned about 30 qts. beans from our garden. There are more coming on.

I took David out in the sunshine to give him his bottle just a few minutes ago. It was so cool this a.m. he wasn’t out – also John took his music lesson & couldn’t stay out of doors with him. He wants to go places when he gets out of his bed, pen, or buggy. Last nite while we were eating supper I took him out of the buggy, because he was climbing out and let him stand by it – he walked to the table they then walked under the table and played on the chairs. He isn’t satisfied unless he is getting around – the past two days he has been trying to do something like whistle. John asked me when he whistled & I told him it was when he was 11 mo. old. We say no no to David and he shakes his head – he knows what it means. When I slap his hands or tap him someplace else – he can’t cry hard but will pucker up and try to get a cry out. He is making a fuss now but needs dry pants so think I’ll have to go change him.

This change in weather had made my hands feel like sand paper. I had to quit eating tomatoes – just would eat a piece now & then – but that much was telling on me.

Love Mother

1943-01-22 Foster, Emma with John, Mark & David

Emma with the boys, January 1943

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/12/14/something-like-whistle-gladys/

Big News!

17 Replies

Yesterday was the big day! It happened! My first book was finally published. Titled Alfred M. Dicks of Crawford County, Illinois, this book is a genealogical study of one of my ancestors, from Gladys’ side of the family. The manuscript began as a proof argument for my ProGen Study group. Over the years, I have found little direct evidence of Alfred’s parentage, but I have uncovered lots of indirect evidence. So I finally put all the little bits of evidence together, and here it is!

The book also provided a good test run of the self-publishing process through Amazon.com’s publishing company Create Space. Overall, I would recommend the process. Because the book is more academic in nature, i.e. lots of footnotes, it doesn’t work well as an eBook so the only way to read the book is to buy a physical copy. Follow the link: http://www.amazon.com/Alfred-Dicks-Crawford-County-Illinois/dp/150330728X/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1418429952&sr=8-2&keywords=deborah+sweeney

This spring I am hoping to repeat the process with the first volume of letters written by Roscoe and Gladys from 1942. I have several relatives who would rather read the letters in book form, instead of on the blog. In comparison, the WWII letters book will be a much larger volume with lots more details for me to “get right.” The first volume with contain over 300 letters.

I only have about three more months until I finish the ProGen program. My last major project is a kinship-determination report. I’ve already started organizing my family files in preparation for this project. This time I will be writing about one of Roscoe’s ancestors, Michael Schiele.

Short Wave Band (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: August 16, 1943 envelope

: August 16, 1943, p. 1

: August 16, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60 F. P. O. San Fran. Calif.
Aug. 16, 1943

Dear Mother,

I’m a little late this A.M. due to just plain conversation, but in plenty of time to catch the outgoing mail because it doesn’t go out until P.M. I think.

Wash day and a fine day if the clothes come back in time. Sometimes the boys get a little lax in taking them to the laundry and in returning them so even if the day is sunny they don’t get dry.

I think we will be paid again today but I’m not going to draw any because it might cut me too low in that reserve but will try to get some off to you at the next pay day. Now As I have it figured with the excess of the 500 and your regular 200 you should be OK for the time being. So I’ll try to help you out with some extra next month.

[page 2] In the last letter I got from Harry Storm he said Christmas packages could be sent without request between Sept. 15 and Oct. 15 but my suggestions is to send nothing. Take the money you would ordinarily spend and buy the boys stamps and just write me about it. It’s too uncertain to try to send anything. Seems funny to be talking of Christmas in Aug. but it’s only one month now before that Sept. 15 rools [sic rolls] around. So rather than have you send something or be writing about it I’ll get the order in early –

We had Red Skelton on the radio last night but it wasn’t very clear from that station. If you are ever up until midnight 2:00 A.M. and turn the radio on to 9.7 megacycles, That would be on the short wave band you could get the same programs we get. I’m sure our set would pick them up – because this little old battery set we have here does a very good job of getting K.W.I.D. and also Tokyo at 8:00 PM which would be 4:00 AM. There – don’t stay up to[o] late to listen to them because the[y] over state things – we know.

Lots of Love Mother [yes, he actually signed it Mother!]

Russell Islands
Image by Kelisi at Wikipedia.com (Wikipedia Commons license)

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/12/13/short-wave-band-roscoe/

White Cap (Gladys)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

MRS. R.S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
8-16-43

Dear Daddy – I rec’d your Aug. 1 letter – but had rec’d up to Aug. 6 last week. Mrs. R. called me this a.m. She had word from Joe – he told her “all about” your being together and how much you both enjoyed the visit. – It is cooler today – Mother is about the same. I told you in yesterday’s letter what Dr. Cole said after examining her. It’s what you didn’t want to think – what I was afraid of and hoped wasn’t. He said just to continue with the same medication. – Mark left with the 4-H group for Dunes State Park this afternoon – He was so happy to get to go. Jim sent the boys each a white cap – the kind he wore before getting a chief rating – so Mark wore one. I had to take it off his head at the table – he was going to wear it all the time. John is talking to David. David & I were both having a good nap when a fly bothered around and disturbed David. I first heard a plane go over that woke me up. They go so low and so many a day – they fly almost over our house sometimes. Every time I hear one I do some wishful thinking about a passenger that could be aboard. Could be – Pinky got a ride home. Funks left today for Land of Lakes, Wis. The detassling business just about got Bill down. Krulls are going up next Sun. for a week. They just keep their restaurant open from 7:30 to 11 – then 3 p.m. to 7:30 – serve breakfast & short orders – Dorothy said they couldn’t get food or help so why stay open 15 hrs. a day.

Love – Mother

James L. Foster in his sailor uniform. Photograph courtesy of Gerry McCarroll.

James L. Foster in his sailor uniform (but not with the white cap). Photograph courtesy of Gerry McCarroll.

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/12/12/white-cap-gladys/

I Like Mail (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: August 15, 1943 envelope

: August 15, 1943, p. 1

: August 15, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Aug. 15, 1943
Lieut. R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60 F.P.O. San Fran C.

Dear Mother,

I reread your letters again yesterday and find that I commented on most of the things you asked about or wrote about. The address you use is OK but the USNR should follow my name – putting it after the Navy 60 might be a little confusing. It’s a small matter but anything that might be confusing should be done away with because you know how I like mail.

You asked if we had heard Fibber in a certain radio program – we didn’t some how we haven’t been able to get any of those programs since getting our radio. I think we just haven’t had it on at the right time. We do get the news pretty good and some music – if you want to call it that. The best station has a recording of a

[page 2] base ball game which lasts about ¾ hour. That is really the height of something of other. We want entertainment and they put on a ball game which has been played hours before and they would give the final score and be done with it. One listens to a ball game to see what the final score will be – anyway I don’t like it.

I was very glad to hear that the folks could spend a few days with you. I imagine they got a big kick out of the trip and the visit. I’m sure John will enjoy himself on his own for the week or rather I mean traveling alone. I think things like that are good for them – Lets them know how to get along for themselves.

Well, I’ve got to write the folks today so will get started on that right now –
Love Daddy

Russell Islands
Image by Kelisi at Wikipedia.com (Wikipedia Commons license)

Music Or Furniture? (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: August 14, 1943 envelope

: August 14, 1943, p. 1

: August 14, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Lieut R. S. Yegerlehner USRN
Navy 60 F. P.O. San Fran Calif.
Aug. 14, 1943

Dear Mother,

Received several letters yesterday. Yours along about the 17^th & 18^th of July and also of July 30 & 31. That one Those came or rather were written after the folks were there and after you had bought the piano and also after you had received the big check. So they really brought things up to date pretty well. This is catty – did you get the piano for music or furniture? Both I hope – what I mean is I hope the musical side is good. Really I’m glad you got it because that old one was so heavy and cumbersome and I’m sure this one must be much easier to handle and nicer to look at.

[page 2] I didn’t make any specifications on what you spend that money for only that you pay the insurance loan which as I remember was around $170 plus, of course, interest. Glad you bought the bonds but don’t cut yourself to low – Maybe I can send some more in a month or two.

The tent is filled with conversation so concentration is a little difficult so will have to reread your letters and see if there is anything else that I should or want to comment upon.

Well, I’ve got to close this before I get something here that shouldn’t be for your ears because the convo is still going –

Lots of Love Daddy

Russell Islands
Image by Kelisi at Wikipedia.com (Wikipedia Commons license)

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/12/09/music-or-furniture-roscoe/

Taylor Tot (Gladys)

2 Replies

Letter transcription:

MRS. R.S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
8-14-43

Dear Daddy – Another Sat. not so hot today – no mail but had your Aug. 6 letter on Aug. 12 – I was in town a few minutes this a.m. to get some groc., etc. Saw Lucile with Jimmy Ed – his eczema is about gone. She can put sun suits on him now & not cover his hands. He is a cute little fellow. She still has to be careful about what she feeds him & what he wears – no wool. She loaned me the buggy again – a tire came off David’s and Jimmy won’t stay in the buggy – he prefers the taylor tot – as soon as I get David’s cast off will try him in his taylor tot, but I am afraid he will try to climb out – he does so much reaching and climbing – Dorothy was out to see him this a.m. He was showing a little temper & she told him his Daddy would spank him if he were here. He knows what No! No! means and scolds when we say No! to him. Dorothy Diedam is thru nurses training – at present is home but is to go back to the hospital Sept. 6 in O.B. She came out this a.m. I gave Mother a Vit. B shot Tues. & going to give another today – I hope they help pick her up. Diedam told me Dr. Flack was back in Laf. on leave and another Dr. or two but don’t remember who. Flack had been in Panama. If Cole comes tomorrow he can tell me who has been back. Buddy is here today playing with Mark – they are fishing – It’s a good pastime if not profitable – We never overeat from their catch.

Love – Mother

The Romantic Type (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: August 13, 1943 envelope

: August 13, 1943, p. 1

: August 13, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60 F.P.O. San Fran. Calif.
Aug. 13, 1943

Dear Mother,

The picture would not be complete unless I told you the laundry got dry yesterday. So that is that for another few days.

You remember I wrote you one day about the topics to write about – Laundry was one, weather was one – mail was one – well I’ve hit laundry pretty hard in the past few days – weather hasn’t come in for much only in an indirect way relative to laundry – at that time I said the mail topic was always good. The topic might be good but the mail is again slow. I believe I forgot to tell you a letter came day before yesterday from E. Towers, Sr. It was written on Jan. 5. Seven months – I haven’t answered it yet. If you see he or the girls you might mention that I received such. I’ll try to answer it someday but writing is really a problem as I’ve so often told you.

If I were the romantic type I guess I’d have no trouble writing to you but you know

[page 2] how that is with me. I’ve read pages of stuff like that there! from boys to wives and girlfriends. Really it’s peculiar how many words there are that, shall I say possibly, sound well that have so little meaning to anyone else except the receiver of the letter – and in some instances I wonder! Some of those letters are fun – shame on me! I think someday I’ll fill a letter to you with the different ways a letter might start. There a lot which I hadn’t thought of, or rather a combination of words that are fitted together to express greetings which are I won’t say sensible but usable.

Now to criticize my own letter – most of it is just plain fitting words together in order to fill up space so that I can say I keep up the habit of writing every day maybe that is being a hypocrite but if we understand each other the hypocrisies (awful big word) are meaningless – anyway il I’ll close and let a lot of meaning be conveyed in

Lots of Love Daddy

Russell Islands
Image by Kelisi at Wikipedia.com (Wikipedia Commons license)

Teeth Like Yours (Gladys)

1 Reply

: August 13, 1943 envelope

: August 13, 1943, p. 1

: August 13, 1943, p. 2

: August 13, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
Aug 13 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

Another hot Aug. day but a cooling breeze – The upstairs is very comfortable. Just went up to see Mother. She says she hasn’t any pain or soreness in stomach or bowels – but one spot in the bowel is shore – not being a Dr. or knowing too much about the anatomy I would say it is her colin [colon] that is sore. She was a lot of gas but I think that is due to not eating enough solid food. Her diet is more on the liquid order. I feed her the canned foods I give David. At noon I thickened some bouillon and gave you some pudding. She drinks milk every meal. Mrs. Jarrel had a chance to come up yesterday & go back today so she is here. Spent the night and has had a nice visit with Mother. I think your Mother is coming next week. Jaunita is planning to come sometime. I have the idea to let J. stay here and run things a few days and let me get a little vacation – not that I am feeling sorry for myself or anything of the sort but I am beginning to get a little tired and feel I should get away for a change. Dr. Cole said he would take the cast off David’s

[page 2] leg next Sat. – a week from tomorrow – and that will be a relief to me as well as to D. He should be easier to handle then – He is getting a little spoiled as things are now. However he has been very good thru it all. Dr. Cole didn’t make it here yesterday so I suppose he will come Sun. He said either Thurs. or Sun.

Emmett Miller & Olene were at Statons last night – they were going to spend the night and today here but got a call from Emmett’s home to come immediately – his father wasn’t expected to live thru the night. I haven’t heard any further about his father. They think E. will soon be sent out. He is to go to Tenn. next. By leaving so unexpectedly I didn’t get to see them.

Buddy is here this afternoon playing with Mark. Mark had to go to the dentist this P.M. Had one pulled & some fillings. He said Dr. Limp said his teeth are like yours – he can stand to have drilling done – and was he proud to think he is like Daddy about having his teeth fixed. Speaking of teeth – I am going to try & get a good picture of D. now with all his 5 teeth shining – they make him look even cuter – and his hair lays in soft ringlets all over his head – you can imagine the ah’s & oh’s he gets about his hair. Mary Parttens said it was a shame to waste that beautiful hair on a boy but I

[page 3] disagreed with her. I said that was just part of being “David.” Then she said yes it did help to make him cute – She says he is the cutest baby she has ever seen. Listen to the proud mother run on & on.

The detassling camp is broken up – They had some bread left over & Arlene sent the neighbors each a loaf. Bobby delivered. Donnie will soon be big enough to do things. Just think this time next year they should have a baby 8 mo. old.

The breeze seems to have stopped and am I sticky – I had such a big washing today – have to get Mark’s clothes ready to go to camp Monday.

We are to have a black-out next week but think I had better skip lightly over the subject. Just don’t tell anyone I told you.

Mr. Zell has to go with the 4-H group next week – Virginia is going to camp too, Mrs. Zell, Betty & Martha Jane are going to her mother’s so with Mark gone, we should have a quiet time from Mon. till Thurs. When all the children in the neighborhood get together it gets noisy around here.

David has awakened from a nap and John is in talking to him. He should talk early if talking to him will help.

The papers have come this week but I will try to relay the news in the next letter.

Love Mother