Category Archives: World War II Letters

Radio Interference (Roscoe)

April 25, 1944 envelope

April 25, 1944 envelope

April 25, 1944, p. 1

April 25, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Apr. 25, 1944

Dear Mother,

Just listening to Fibber & Molly and trying to write but haven’t made much headway. Again the orchestra is playing so I’ll write until they start talking again.

Your letter came today – This afternoon – I suppose you had just as well pay the coal bills and get things cleared up a bit. They have to be paid sooner or later so – .

I’m learning things around here every day – namely – many of the Drs. back from foreign duty have stopped here only a short time and are then transferred to some other duty – in the States. I’d hate to rent a house and pay a month’s rent before moving in and then hav not use it because of being transferred. But I have not rented one yet so I don’t need worry about that, and what you suggested about the weekend – why not just move up period – Let the kids board out or leave school early – but I guess we don’t need to cross that bridge just yet.

You have a few days to wait as yet for D. and the measles as I told you

April 25, 1944, p. 2

April 25, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] in last night’s letter.

Bob Hope is now on and I’m not just sure what I’m writing. Vera V. is now on and I can’t concentrate.

Just re-read your letter and I think I’ve answered all the questions – I started this letter about one hour ago but I’ve had too much radio interference.

I hate to think of it but this is a must – a bath in the tub. It’s a little cold in here but I’ve gone long enough now. Just about can’t stand myself anymore but I know of no other solution.

Joe is writing now and Bob Hope is over and I’ve about run down so must get going on that bath. I’ve been thinking – If I don’t have OD duty week after next I’m going to try to get off. It may be only a try but I’ll let you hom know later –

Love Daddy

P.S. Red Skelton is on now.

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/01/30/radio-interference-roscoe/

Cut Lip and Puffy Nose (Gladys)

April 24 & 25, 1944 envelope

April 24 & 25, 1944 envelope

April 24 & 25, 1944, p. 1

April 24 & 25, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
4-24-44

Dear Daddy –

Will start writing this evening while I have a little time – not that I am rushed any time, but just finished dishes and John is working on another “dangerous room” so will sit here at the table where he is working & write. Mark is upstairs working on Bobby’s plane. David isn’t asleep yet, but has had a bad time. While I was starting supper he came running into the kitchen and fell face down. He cried like he was hurt and upon examining his face saw he had bursted his upper lip and made his nose bleed. His lip is hanging over and his face is a little swollen. I wouldn’t be surprised if his nose is broken the way it looks. Is there anything to do in case it is? He looks a little funny with his lip hanging down and puffy nose. I couldn’t see anything in the doorway he could trip over but he trips easily and where the linoleum ends there may be a rough place he could catch his shoe on.

I went to town and mailed Mrs. Stanish a money order and incidentally cashed the M.O. I took from you. I may need that to buy new glasses. Mr. Rinard said he couldn’t fix my glasses and didn’t have any frames like them. So far I haven’t had any headaches but haven’t done any close work yet. My eyes feel a little tired. While in town saw Geo. Monroe and he had been out here after I went to town, but he looked at the belt and it is about ready to break. He has ordered a new belt – I hope it doesn’t break before the new one comes – unless it gets warmer. It is very cool here and must be positively cold where you are. I was going to put my fur coat in storage if I went to Laf. but unless it warms up will need to wear it.

April 24 & 25, 1944, p. 2

April 24 & 25, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] Mrs. Dixon is on a committee with me and I called her today. She had just returned from Fla. – arrived this morning. She knew you were back and said she supposed she would miss seeing you. She and Nettie were in Fla. three months and would come back in weather like this.

Tues. a.m. – I am sitting in the “powder room” on the hamper. David is on the throne and I am trying to keep him quiet. His upper lip still hangs down some but his nose looks quite natural. He seems to feel pretty good so no measles yet. He woke me at 6:30 and I took him up and put him on the toidey. He had gone thru the night dry. So far this morning he is still wearing same pants. – – A pause to dress David. I put panties on him – I hope I am not too optimistic.

It is still cloudy today but looks like it may clear off. I will have to wash and dry things indoors if this rain keeps up. The grass has grown so much this week it will have to be cut wet I am afraid. The back yard is quite “thick” looking. I broke the news to the boys but didn’t get much reaction. I suppose I will have to take the lawn mower down to John Krug and have it oiled and sharpened. He keeps the old “hunk of junk” in pretty good shape.

I noticed we have one tiny blossom on the Forsythia bush. That is the yellow flowering shrub we see early in the spring usually, but it is late this year. The Lilac bush Onargo set out for me last fall is showing signs of life. The Spirea has opened out since you were here Sunday. So much for the horticulture.

If it keeps clearing, David will get to go out in the yard while I hang up clothes. It was too cold yesterday to take him out. I am going to watch him closely for signs of measles and I don’t want him to get cold or get a cold if he is having measles (or otherwise).

The sun is out now so must get a tub started.
Love Mother

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/01/29/cut-lip-and-puffy-nose-gladys/

Finding A House (Roscoe)

April 24, 1944 envelope

April 24, 1944 envelope

April 24, 1944, p. 1

April 24, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Apr. 24

Dear Mother,

The day passed without too much happening – Joe seems to have gotten settled fairly well but will be worked pretty hard if no more Drs. are attached to their place. He has the nose & throat work of the station.

I got a call today about a house but decided not to do anything about it. It was a large house which rented for $150 per mo. and the gal thought since I’d said the Roberts and us wanted to be near one another we could take the house but I’m afraid that would have its drawbacks. The biggest probably being the chance that one or other might be ordered away leaving the other to hold the bag or rather the house at $150 per mo. I’ve given two Drs. who live in Chicago the word to keep looking in their area for vacancies – maybe if there are enough strings out one will be fastened to something. So we’ll keep

April 24, 1944, p. 2

April 24, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] looking and inquiring. One of the fellows wants me to ride into Chicago with him and look around. He really wants me nearby so we can share cars – a pregnant idea for all concerned.

When I was talking about not giving D. any sulfa drug with measles I didn’t mean it shouldn’t but in case ears or throat develops then it would be OK. I’d also forgotten. I looked it up last night – The contagious period may run up to 16-21 days rather than the usual 10 days to 2 wks. so it may be longer before he takes them if he does. Watch for the knots behind his ears. Those appear first.

Well, I’m going to see if I can find a book to read tonight, and relax for a while –
Love Daddy

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/01/28/finding-a-house-roscoe/

Birds and Bees (Gladys)

April 24, 1944 envelope

April 24, 1944 envelope

April 24, 1944, p. 1

April 24, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
4-24-44

Dear Daddy –

Another “gray Monday.” It has rained and there is quite a wind today. My neighbor braved the weather and hung out clothes, but I didn’t wash any today.

We came home about 4 o’clock yesterday. After we came back I was going to take David for a walk, but the wind was so strong we didn’t stay out very long. I don’t want to do anything that might not be so good for him if he is taking measles. This is the 8th day and no signs so far, but I’ll watch him closely. I would like to go to Laf. sometime this week. I didn’t get to town this morning to see Mr. Rinard about my glasses, but

April 24, 1944, p. 2

April 24, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] I doubt if he can fix them. I will try to go down this afternoon. I think I’ll wait until J. & M. get home from school, so I won’t have to take David. I don’t want to expose anyone, and we might do that if we don’t keep David home.

Yesterday on the way home Mark asked me how a Dr. could tell when a woman was going to have a baby. I told him a woman had to tell the Dr. first, then he wondered how the woman knew. I was floundering around for a suitable answer and he said, “Oh I get it, after a woman gets married, she gets a seed that grows.” Now the next time you are home I want you to do some more explaining to Mark. That was the first time he had asked such a question and I wasn’t very well prepared to answer him.

David is in bed, but hasn’t gone to sleep yet. His bowels were normal again this morning. I put him on the toidey after breakfast

April 24, 1944, p. 3

April 24, 1944, p. 3

[page 3] and he had his stool. So far that has been all today. He wanted to go bye-bye this morning. He could see the car in the garage and would point to it and say “car.” Once this morning he took his overalls off and put them in the drawer. I think he is going to sleep now, after an hour of playing in his bed.

I opened the box of candy yesterday and it is quickly vanishing. Maybe it is just as well for me to have help on it – I might eat too much if I didn’t have help.

I wrote Mrs. Stanish a letter and will get the M.O. to put in it this afternoon. I didn’t mention the flowers. I suppose if Vince wants her to know how they were ordered he can tell her. I wrote Reader’s Digest your new address. Called Monroe & left word for him to come out and look at the belt. So far he hasn’t come.

April 24, 1944, p. 4

April 24, 1944, p. 4

[page 4] David is awake and I measured him – he is 33 ¾” – ¾” taller than a month ago.

I am cleaning out the desk and found T. J. Murphy’s letter – his address is 1508 Banks Place – Lakeland Fla. – in case you want to write to him.

I found the coal bills – $25 & $22 – should I pay them? I paid the Hancock Ins. $70.70 and Mrs. Stanich and our balance is $184.00 – However in another week the $200.00 will come and I can dep. $170.00. Maybe we should pay those bills now (?)

I just had a thought, idea or what have you. In case you would find an apt. now and would have to take it in order to get it, maybe we could come up for a week-end, even if you had duty – Just an idea, in case something comes our way. I think I could drive thru without assistance of anyone else. Of course the chances are we won’t get one so soon, but in case we do it would be a pleasant way to spend the week-end.

John & Mark are home and I must go to town –
Love Mother

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/01/27/birds-and-bees-gladys/

Back at the Station (Roscoe)

April 23, 1944 envelope

April 23, 1944 envelope

April 23, 1944, p. 1

April 23, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Apr. 23 Sun. Eve

Dear Mother,

We arrived at the station about 5:15 after an uneventful trip. Had our chow at the hospital. Joe got all singed in in about 10 min. That is all that was necessary for today. He really could have taken about 6 more hours. Six hours we lost – Too bad. We really did enjoy ourselves at least I did and I hope you did. Hope you didn’t have any difficulty in getting home.

While waiting for Joe abt we were parked out behind the hostess house – I just waited in the car. A sailor and his wife or girl friend came out and engaged in a terrific embrace, or at least she did. He just more or less stood there with his arms at his sides but she didn’t – You know how I mean. Then after two hitches he backed off a little way and got out a big white hankie and wiped his mouth to remove the lipstick. The last I saw of them they were going back into the house he still wiping his mouth. Was that good or was that good?

April 23, 1944, p. 2

April 23, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] Joe and I went for a walk but it was cut very short by a storm – or rather thunder and lightning cut the trip short. So far it seems to have missed us, however, and it is now about 9:00 and will soon be bed time. Our radio is going – seems to work good with only a short antennae.

Joe is writing also so maybe you both will get letters Tue. I’m running out of things to write much just now. It’s been only a short time since I’ve seen you and things haven’t happened so much as yet. I guess I should write the Folks one of these days but just can’t seem to get started on such.

Well, hope you aren’t too down in the dumps tonight –
Lots of Love
Daddy

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/01/26/back-at-the-station-roscoe/

Home for the Weekend

Roscoe did indeed make it home for the weekend. David reached the milestone of his 19th month while “Daddy” was home. Without an exchange of letters, the only remaining details of the weekend were recorded in the baby book.

David's baby book, dated April 23, 1944

David’s baby book, dated April 23, 1944

April 23, 1944

David’s 19th month – 26 1/2 libs – 33 3/4″ tall

Daddy is on duty at Great Lakes (reported Apr. 13) and got to come home for the weekend – was home the 23rd the day David was 19 months old. We took some pictures of Daddy and David together. David has learned to say, “No” and shake his head accordingly when asked if he wants to be put in his bed for misbehavior. He is saying Mammy at present for Mother but we hope to teach him to say Mother correctly. He says “tee” for train. He doesn’t try to tell us when he has to toidey. Still has [to] wear thumb guards – Apr. 24 – David doesn’t wear thumb guards now – We put “Thum” on his thumbs and he quit putting them in his mouth – Now wears training panties but doesn’t cooperate much. Apr. 26 – climbed up on the radio in John and Mark’s room, pulled it over on himself – cut his lip and had to have two stitches taken. One upper front tooth is pushed back out of line.

© 2016 Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/01/25/home-for-the-weekend/

Monthly Update – January 2016

My genealogy calendar began to wind down at the end of 2015, and to be honest, between a heavy workload at school and life in general, I ran out of steam. However, with the arrival of the New Year, several upcoming events and my personal goals, I am looking forward to 2016. It is looking to be an exciting year filled with new adventures and new genealogy friends.

Dear Mother, Love Daddy coverThe WWII Project

Instead of having a section devoted to just my book Dear Mother, Love Daddy, I am going to condense this section to everything related to the books and the letters.

About the letters:

  • Almost 1,200 letters have been transcribed and organized so far (since December 2012). I will continue to post a letter a day (or military related document) until all the letters have been transcribed. I still do not have a final tally of how many letters there are in the collection. According to my records, I have published 1,169 blog posts in which a letter was transcribed. This does not take into account the number of posts that did not contain a letter but rather a transcription of a document from Roscoe’s personal military papers nor does it account for the occasional letter which has been discovered amongst my father’s papers and has subsequently been forwarded to me. Often these rogue letters do not make the blog because they are so far out of sequence or context. It does not make sense to publish them at the time. They will appear in the published volumes of letters however.

Dear Mother, Love Daddy:

  • The first volume of letters has been in print for exactly 11 months. It is hard to believe that the first anniversary of its publication is quickly approaching, February 24, 2016. This last week I finally prepared several copies for donation to a few of the major genealogy and state library collections. For readers who may live in the Sacramento area, the library owns a copy of the book and it can be requested through the library’s loan system. Otherwise, copies of the book are available for sale through Amazon.com or contact me through the website to purchase an autographed copy of the book.

Lots of Love, Daddy:

  • I am hoping to have the second volume of letters ready by Memorial Day. I had hoped originally to publish this book around the anniversary of the first book. However, my schedule has not afforded me the time needed to successfully release the book at that time. This volume will also be 150-200 pages longer than the first volume and will include letters written during October through December 1942 while Roscoe was stationed in Noumea, New Caledonia. My first draft of the book is currently 400 pages. This does not include the index, author’s notes, illustration/photo credits, or the cast of characters. I have tentatively engaged the services of a genealogy colleague to be my copy editor for this next volume. I am very excited to be working with her on this project. As the spring progresses, I will make a more official announcement. In addition, I need to begin work with my book cover designer. At this point, I have an idea but nothing concrete.

Sacramento Library

Genealogy Programs Central 2016I continue to volunteer one Saturday a month dispensing genealogy advice at my local library branch. Typically, my sessions are on the fourth Saturday of the month. Upcoming dates are January 30, February 27, and March 26. These sessions are by appointment only.

Yesterday, I presented my second lecture – A Beginner’s Guide to DNA & Genetic Genealogy. The audience was wonderful! They asked lots of great questions, and hopefully, I did not confuse them too much. I am looking forward to putting together a third presentation later this spring, likely in April or May.

The Central Branch has their genealogy program schedule published for the year. All presentations are given on Sundays from 1:00-2:30 at the Central Branch on I Street, downtown Sacramento. There are some wonderful speakers on the list, including my colleague, Gena Philibert-Ortega, who reviewed Dear Mother, Love Daddy last fall on her blog. Gena will be presenting a lecture on Finding Institutional Records in July while fellow ProGen alumna Janice Sellers will be delivering her lecture Get Me to the church: Religious Records in June.

Certification

It has long been my goal to become a certified genealogist. In order to achieve this goal, the applicant must submit a portfolio of work to the Board of Certification of Genealogists. This last week BCG president, Jeanne Larzalere Bloom, announced a new application process for certification. Some of the new requirements include evaluation of the applicant’s educational experiences and a limit of 150 pages for the entire portfolio. The new application can be found on the BCG website.

835

My ProGen Certificate

At this point, I feel fairly confident about my educational experiences. I have completed Boston University’s Genealogical Research Certificate program and the ProGen study group. I will continue to attend local learning experiences, like those offered at the library or the genealogy societies in my region. I still would like to do a couple of the home study courses from the National Genealogical Society, and maybe someday, I will be able to attend a week long institute like SLIG or GRIP. Although part of me is not really thinking of attending an genealogy institute as a student, why not think higher and bolder, like as an instructor?!? But let’s be realistic for 2016…

Another colleague of mine suggested that I blog about my journey to certification (Thank you Jake!). I have long been a fan of Jill Morelli’s blog Genealogy Certification: My Personal Journal. Jill is another ProGen alumna, and I had the pleasure of meeting her in person last year at Jamboree. Jill is already “on-the-clock,” as we like to say about the certification process. She has already submitted her application and currently has 3 months remaining before she must submit her portfolio. As I stated in my year in review post last month, I want to have my plan in place for certification by the end of this year. Most of the advice I have read (from people who have gone through the certification process) recommend having one’s ideas and preliminary research started before submitting the application. Blogging about my progress will hopefully keep me on track for my goal.

Roscoe with his wife Gladys and their sons, John & Mark (circa July 1942 in Kentland, Indiana)

A branch of my family that I will NOT be using for my portfolio!

One of the main requirements for any item submitted in the portfolio is that: “No material in an initial application may have been reviewed, critiqued, or proofread by another individual.” For me, this means that none of my prior work submitted as coursework for Boston University or ProGen is eligible to be used for my portfolio. Over the last few years, I have tried to be careful about not writing and posting about every aspect of my family genealogy for precisely this reason. I had to keep branches of the family dark since they were potential portfolio fodder.

So for January…

One element of the portfolio is a Kinship-Determination Project (KDP for short). Three generations of a family must be presented in a narrative genealogy, narrative lineage, or narrative pedigree format. Within the narrative, proof summaries or arguments must be used, as appropriate, for at least two parent-child relationships. This month (OK this morning…) I think I have decided upon which branch of the family I am going to use for the project. My next step for the project will be to begin analyzing the documents I do have and begin assessing what documents I need to obtain.

Jamboree

Jamboree 2015

Jamboree 2015

This month pre-registration for Jamboree began. I had so much fun last year and I am looking forward to attending this year. Stay tuned for more updates! I have signed up to take one workshop so far. I still consider myself extremely fortunate that Blaine Bettinger was in my ProGen study group. His knowledge of DNA and genetic genealogy is incredible and I looking forward to taking his workshop on Third Party Tools for Autosomal DNA. If you ever have the chance to hear him speak or lecture, do not miss the opportunity!

Until next month….

©2016 Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/01/24/monthly-update-january-2016/

Walk to Town (Gladys)

April 19 & 20, 1944 envelope

April 19 & 20, 1944 envelope

April 19 & 20, 1944, p. 1

April 19 & 20, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
4-19-44

Dear Daddy –

I wrote one letter this morning but thought I would start one this afternoon while I was thinking about what I wanted to write.

I took David out for a walk and he kept going until we were on Main street so I got the paper & a few articles I needed at the drug store. I saw Coke and she wanted to know about when you would be home. Said they wanted to see you, etc. I asked her about Dr. Baer and he is a MacIntyre. They live in a town close to Great Lakes, but it isn’t Lake Forest. She told me the name but I don’t remember. Maybe it was Highland Park. I am not sure. At any rate coke wants you to see Dr. B. He is a Commander now. I saw Alma and she said the evening we tried to call them was the only evening they were away from home, and on Wed. evening

April 19 & 20, 1944, p. 2

April 19 & 20, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] before you went to G.L. they didn’t go to the show, but were downtown. We just didn’t see them.

I stopped to see Mrs. Krull and she says the suits wouldn’t make over for John. Says she wouldn’t tackle the job and a tailor would charge $15.00 to do the job. I was wondering if Ralph or Clarence could use a suit or two. Mrs. K. just made one of Nick’s old suits over for Dorothy. I wish I had used one of yours for myself instead of buying the one I did. I still would like to have a black suit and could take the pin strip and have one made for myself.

I stopped at Johnsons and Jimmy had been sick. I saw someone sitting in the living room and opened the door and David ran in. Lucile came and said Jimmy had been sick but was feeling better and temp was normal. He was quite sick last night and had a temp of 104 4/10 (rectally). He had a convulsion last night

April 19 & 20, 1944, p. 3

April 19 & 20, 1944, p. 3

[page 3] but seemed perfectly normal today. The Dr. thought he might be taking measles or something but evidently not or he would be breaking out. His throat was sore and the Dr. swabbed it. David was with him Sun. & Mon. afternoon and Lucile thinks he was starting a temp Mon. so if he has anything D. has a good chance of getting it from being with him Mon. Of course at the time Lucile didn’t know he had a temp, but we were in the restaurant together and before that she had Jimmy out here, and when she started home from the restaurant with Jimmy, said he got fussy and she had to carry him home. I hope he doesn’t develop anything. Are children who are subject to allergies more apt to have convulsions than others? The thought just occurred to me, because of Jimmy and the Wilson baby, Michael, was like Jimmy when he was small (covered with eczema) and he is subject to convulsions. Or is it due to the high temperatures?

April 19 & 20, 1944, p. 4

April 19 & 20, 1944, p. 4

[page 4] Bobby came up with 25₵ and asked Mark to buy him a plane to build so Mark is at Funks now making Bobby a plane. John asked me if he should go to a party Sat. nite, since you were planning to come home he wasn’t sure it would be the thing to do, but I told him he could see you Sun. and I thought he should attend the party since he stays home most of the time.

It is 6 PM by the living room clock, so that means chow time for David. He should have a good appetite after walking to town and back. I thought maybe he had walked too much and John said, “Do you realize if he had been home he would be walking around here all the time?”

Thurs. a.m. – the mail hasn’t been delivered yet – I am finishing this for Mark to take as he goes to school. It is cloudy this morning and looks very much like it will rain anytime. I did have ideas of washing some but now have a good excuse not to.

Love Mother

P.S. Highland Park is right.

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/01/24/walk-to-town-gladys/

Strong Woman (Gladys)

April 19, 1944 envelope

April 19, 1944 envelope

April 19, 1944, p. 1

April 19, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
4-19-44

Dear Daddy –

The mail carrier was around earlier than usual – in fact before we had breakfast, so I had your letter mailed yesterday to read before breakfast. It is nice and sunny today. I will have to take David out for a walk. He does love to go out of doors. Martha came over to ask if I wanted anything from town (her mother was going) and David cried when Martha left. I gave him a cookie and that fixed things up pretty fine. I have been upstairs cleaning some this a.m. I didn’t go into spring cleaning, just dusted and straightened and cleaned the bathroom floor. I think I’ll have to get back on my vitamins. I feel a little out of pep after I work a while.

April 19, 1944, p. 2

April 19, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] I just have one unicap left. I think I’ll get another bottle. I believe they help me as much as anything I have taken. I think I forgot to tell you I got a heart reaction from the last liver & Vit. B shot I took, so am afraid to try that again for a pick-up.

Our neighbors arrived home from Fla. yesterday. It was nice in the morning but by mid afternoon it had clouded up, turned cool and rained, but the weather is ideal this morning so maybe they won’t feel a chill.

Mrs. Zell had their car yesterday and I went to town with her and got David’s milk. She was having dinner guests (Shanlaubs) so I helped her get ready for them. She didn’t have the house straightened up at 4 PM and I didn’t have anything in particular to do so helped her. She is having a birthday party

April 19, 1944, p. 3

April 19, 1944, p. 3

[page 3] for Virginia after school today. It is for the girls in the 5th grade. This is one party J. & M. will miss, no boys invited.

I think I’ll go see Mrs. Krull today about cutting a suit down for John. I wish I knew someone your size who would buy some of those things and just buy John a new suit. I am going to have to do something soon if he keeps growing because his legs & arms are getting too long for the suit he has now.

Bun Walkup delivered some peat moss to Statons yesterday. I told him to haul our clinkers the next time he hauls trash. He was asking about you. Thought you hadn’t been home long enough to be back on duty. He said Iva Jean wondered how I held up under your being away. I suppose she was greatly

April 19, 1944, p. 4

April 19, 1944, p. 4

[page 4] relieved that Bun didn’t have to go. I told Bun to tell her I am a “strong woman” – however I don’t feel that way at all sometimes, but I don’t go around sounding off my weakness. She would find out like anyone else whose husband is in Service who we stand it. It isn’t easy.

So far today David hasn’t had any accidents in his panties, but that isn’t his fault. I have been trying to watch him. He woke up about 1 a.m. and I put him in bed with me. He was wide awake and kept bothering me so I put dry pants on him and put him back in his bed. About 7:45 he woke me and I put him on the toidey. He had a B.M. After breakfast I put him on and he went, then again while I was working upstairs. It is time to check again – He just ran by me and I missed it – pants wet. I made thumbs stalls but didn’t get them just right – he can slip them off – but he hasn’t been bothering his thumb at all so maybe our battle is about over.

Love Mother

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/01/23/strong-woman-gladys/

I’ll Be Home (Roscoe)

April 19, 1944 envelope

April 19, 1944 envelope

April 19, 1944, p. 1

April 19, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Wed. Apr. 19, 1944

Dear Mother,

No letter again today. I’m just beginning to wonder if you are writing every day as you used to do, etc. I suspect the letters are getting crossed up in the mail and two will come tomorrow, at least I hope so.

Well, it’s all set. I’ll be home Sat. eve. I got the papers all filled out and in my pocket now so I’ll be there for supper but possibly you had better not wait too long as I’m not sure what time I’ll leave here. I’ll try something during the PM but may not get away until after working hours which would be 4:30 and that would get me there by 7:30-8:00.

Nothing much has been different today just the same old measles & mumps or rather German measles & mumps. We get rid of several each day and

April 19, 1944, p. 2

April 19, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] get in several new ones each day just to keep things on an even basis.

It’s going to be a close run on the gas tickets but I think I’ll have enough to get the car back. That seems a dirty trick. Bring the car back to you with no tickets. Joe and I together can get a book for his car when he comes up and I’ll make him share a few tickets. When one gets a C card they want someone else to sign that he is riding with the C card owner. I didn’t have anyone else to sign for me and even if I had I couldn’t have signed for Joe – That must all sound very clear. I’ll explain more fully when I get home.

I’ll not write now until I see you again so lots of love, etc.,
Daddy

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/01/22/ill-be-home-roscoe/