Tag Archives: genealogy

Indiana Coal (Gladys)

: October 25, 1943 envelope

: October 25, 1943, p. 1

: October 25, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
Oct. 25 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

About all I have done today besides get lunch is write letters. I baked a cake and John & Mark assured me I am the best cake baker. John came in & when he saw the cake & steak hugged & kissed me. I told him he was like Dagwood in the funnies. He saw what was “cooking” before he embraced me. However I appreciated the gesture anyway. Had a letter from Jim & Pauline (she writes for Glen & Co. now) this a.m. and an Ins. receipt. Also rec’d a jar of Morruguant I ordered from Massengill salesman last week. That is the best ointment, bar none, I ever saw for burns. I give “dabs” to the neighbors when they have burns & thought I had better get a new supply. I smeared it over a place on my arm I touched on the hot grill & presto! No burn. It works like magic.

It is blowing today & cloudy. I was going to take David out in the sunshine but don’t see any now. There was some around noon but he was asleep and I was busy getting lunch ready. It feels like winter is blowing its cold breath the way it comes in around even the windows & storm windows. I am going to try a stoker full of Indiana coal. Chet says he has some that is pretty good. I have had our order in since last spring & no Va. Coal has been rec’d here. Floyd said Bluffton was the same way. I saw a load of stoker coal going out at Garrison’s, Earl Pack. I called Bun Walkup about getting me some there but he said he wouldn’t have it so it must be like the kind McCartney had that time. Now I wish we had an oil burner because there seems to be plenty of oil around here. But wishful thinking won’t do any good, so will do the next best thing & try Indiana coal.

David is taking a nap. He is some tired from his visiting. He doesn’t walk alone yet, gets tired of his pen and has too many spills out in the broad open spaces, so little fellow has a hard time once in a while. He certainly has a mind of his own about what he wants to do. I just wonder if Daddy wouldn’t spank a little more than Mother does. So far he hasn’t gotten very many but I think he will get them in time.

[page 2] I have a roll of film so will get some pictures in a day or so, depending on the sunshine. I would take the whole roll & send them this week but don’t know when I can get more so will make this roll last longer.

Today was music club but hardly felt up to social gatherings. Thought I would take David for a walk & mail the letters I have written but it seems so chilly, don’t know whether to take him out or not. He is still asleep – his second nap toady – but I think he was pretty tired from all our visiting around.

J. & M. can write you about their grades. John is getting ready for stunt night. He has a part in the 8^th grade play. Mark plays football all the time. He is trying so hard to get a muscle & get heavy – by the way he is in the 5^th grade this year.

Love Mother

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/05/04/indiana-coal-gladys/

Rommel’s Defeat (Roscoe)

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#Navy

: October 24, 1943 envelope

: October 24, 1943, p. 1

: October 24, 1943, p. 2

: October 24, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Fran. Cal.
Oct. 24, 1943

Dear Mother,

Just finished writing the Folk. Reversed the order for a change. I thought that perhaps while writing to them I might get an Idea or two to write you. It didn’t work so well because the idea hasn’t hit as yet.

Yesterday in the news Oct. 23 was being discussed as a date that would go down in history because of the start of Rommel’s defeat in Africa. They should have also added that was the day I learned of D. arrival. At least I think that was the day. It was near enough to that anyway to be important.

[page 2] I’ve finished my running around for this morning so far I think but have some little to do this P.M. The tropical atmosphere does give one a type of lassitude which is hard to shake off at times and one is about as comfortable while on the move as while sitting still.

I’m taking a long time to write this letter or rather a long time trying to think of something but the time as I figure isn’t wasted because while I’m thinking of something to write I’m also thing[ing] of you and there is a certain satisfaction in that. It’s a type of visit by proxy – not good but not bad under the circumstances. I often wonder what other officers write their families. I suppose it’s about

[page 3] the same with a little more “boloney” one way or another. Some probably slice it thin others thick but it’s all taken from the same chunk.

A long pause – visitors. The topic of conversation ran from sore heels to lizards – to the possibility of nurses on the Island and on & on. None of which were interesting or educational. Just a means of passing time.

I’m hoping that some mail will find its way into camp today – It has been some time now since late mail arrived.

At least we can hope.
Love
Daddy

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

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/05/03/rommels-defeat-roscoe/

Identifying Everyday Clues in Photographs, Part I

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How many of us have received boxes or albums of photographs from relatives, only to be dismayed to find them unlabeled and undated? This is a concept familiar to many genealogists. Even if our ancestors did not properly annotate their treasured photographs, clues can still be found to help date them. Trends in clothing and hairstyles can be used to narrow down time frames. The type of photography used and the imprints of long gone photographers on cardboard frames offer further evidence of when and where a photograph was taken. Knowing an ancestor’s lifespan and their family’s unique dynamics helps to fill additional puzzle pieces.

This is the first in a series of posts on using clothing and hairstyles to identify and date photographs. My first career was in the field of costume design and history. I studied many fashion trends during my years as a costumer. I still love anything related to textiles – from vintage clothes to sewing reproduction garments. In many ways, studying the history of clothing helps me to visualize my ancestors with greater depth and clarity. My aim with this series is to help the average genealogist recognize fashion trends in their own photographs and to provide resources for further study.

Today, let’s start with a typical photograph that anyone might have in their collection. In this case, the photograph is of my 2X great grandmother, Elizabeth (Schwartz) Yegerlehner, and one of her granddaughters. I have had this particular photograph in my collection for many years. When I received it from my uncle Mark (yes, that Mark from the letters!), he was in the process of photographing some of the family’s older photographs. He was generous in giving copies to all the relatives who wanted them. This was prior to scanning and high quality color photocopies. Over the years I was led to believe that the younger woman was Grace Wolfe, one of Elizabeth’s grandchildren. I have heard in the intervening years the woman might have been one of Grace’s older sisters. This definitely put a spin on my original dating of the photograph! But it did clear up some of the inconsistencies that I could not rectify.

The first step is to Identify and Describe the people in the picture:

During this step, write down everything you observe in the photograph. Even the smallest of details could be important. The background of this photograph does not provide any identification, such as buildings, cars, farm animals, etc. In this case, however, I am fairly certain that the photograph was taken on the Yegerlehner farm, or one of the farms owned by extended family members. However, this information is not relevant to dating the photograph at present. If the photograph had an identifiable background, listing the visible features would be another step in the process.

Older Woman –

Elizabeth (Schwartz) Yegerlehner (I know this because I have seen other pictures of her so I am familiar with her appearance).
Lived 1843-1922
Wearing dark clothes, possibly black
Elizabeth was widowed in 1903
Her bodice has a yoke, with lace or other adornment
Sleeves caps are small
Sleeves are narrow, but not tight fitting, with cuffs at wrists
Bodice does not appear to close in front
Long skirt which ends 2-3 off the ground
Skirt is plain, with no adornment
Long narrow pin at base of neck
Bodice has a low or non-existent collar
Although her hands cover waist, there is possibly a belt which hits right under her bosom
Hair is pulled tight in a bun, with center part

Younger Woman –

Most likely one of the Wolfe girls (Emma, b. 1883; Mary, b. 1885; Bertha, b. 1886; Minnie, b. 1888; Pearl, b. 1895; and Grace, b. 1897)
Wears long skirt, a couple inches of the ground, striped material, possibly cotton
Bodice of same material as the skirt
Bodice has ¾ length sleeves, with cuffs below elbows
Sleeve caps are slightly puffy, as gathers are evident
Sleeves are narrower, but not tight fitting, for “ease of movement”
Bodice blouses out at waistline
No collar
Bodice does not close in front
No jewelry
No adornment on bodice or skirt
Skirt is smoother across hips, and wider at bottom
Age between 16-25, old enough to wear long skirts
Hair in bun at back, although there is fullness over the ears which mostly covers them; hair appears to be parted in the center but only at the front
Working clothes vs. high fashion “good occasion” clothes
Clothes likely homemade and not purchased from a catalogue

In the next installment, we will look at fashion trends at the end of the 19^th and the beginning of the 20^th centuries.

©2015 copyright by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/05/02/identifying-everyday-clues-in-photographs-part-i/

Back in Kentland (Gladys)

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Letter transcription:

MRS. R.S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
10-24-43

Dear Daddy – Just home from C.C. about 2 hours. Four letters were here of Oct. 13-14-15-16. As soon as we got home had to feed David & put him to bed. He wouldn’t stop crying so I went up to see about him. I brought him down to let him eat some toast while we ate supper. I found the reason he wouldn’t go to sleep – he couldn’t get his thumb for his long sleeper sleeve. I took him back up & he went to sleep. We stopped to see Dave & Marie on the way home. Dave isn’t very well. Goes to the Clinic in T.H. for treatments. They found a spot on his back that was causing neuritis. He will have to write you the details. I think he doesn’t look very strong. When we got home Mr. Zell had our fire going so the house was warm. He told me we had lost three citizens since Wed. Judge Cummings, Willard Sprawl and Shorty Virgin. Floyd showed all his movies last night. The ones he took in Apr. were in Technicolor. They were fine. The colors were splendid in all of them. The pond across the road from Ralph’s house made good background for the pictures taken there. They were going to take pictures of David Sat. or Sun. but they said it wasn’t light enough Sat. & today we left before they came out and it was pouring down rain. We had dinner at Clarence’s today and left as soon as we could after dinner. I wanted to get an early start for home.

Love – Mother

© 2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/05/02/back-in-kentland-gladys/

Thirteenth Month (Gladys)

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: October 23, 1943 envelope

: October 23, 1943, p. 1

: October 23, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Clay City, Ind.
Oct. 23, 1943

Dear Daddy –

Today is David’s 13^th month. We are visiting with Esther & family today. When Leanna was ready to come Imogene, Ruthie, John, Mark, David & I went down and brought her & Linda. Linda is a very healthy looking young lady. Is on pasteurized & Karo. It seems funny for them to go to town and buy pasteurized milk since I have been here but your Dad just milks one cow and she is a Jersey and since David is sensitive to rich milk I thought it would be better to get the pasteurized. However I boil it – remember you said to boil it until the baby is old enough to boil his own. Ruth & Floyd brought their movie camera & want to take some pictures tomorrow if it’s sunny. It is raining now. Ruth took some of J. & M. & Sam’s new dog but David was taking a nap & didn’t get in that picture. They (R. & F.) are coming out tonite and show all their movies. Mom asked all the families to come tonite & see them so we will probably have a house full. After dinner Imogene showed us their wedding gifts. Her brother is in Hawaii and sent her a luncheon set from there.

– – – We have been to town, stopped at Clarence’s on the way home & now back home. J. & M. stayed to play monopoly with Dwane. Clarence’s went to T.H. today to get Wilma. She gets every week-end off so far. She likes her work. I asked her when she would get her cap and she said Feb. We are to go to Clarence’s for dinner tomorrow, then start home soon after dinner. I want to stop in Brazil on the way & see Dave & Marie. So far we have visited all the relatives (except Clarences & them tomorrow). Everyone thinks David is quite the boy. I saw several people in town – I thought I would see more but we were too early today & it was raining.

[page 2] Dot Salter Hoffman had a roll of 116 film she sold me so now I can take some more pictures of David & the rest of us. Ruthie said she would try & get me some so maybe I can manage pictures once a month now for a while.

David is in the baby bed playing with two sauce pans grandma gave him, having quite a time & jabbering like he really is saying things.

I must get this finished and get busy – Have to get David’s milk boiled for supper,
Love Mother

YEG1940 - Sam, Esther, Earl, Paul & Leanna

Samuel Yegerlehner with his wife, Esther, their sons, Earl and Paul, and Paul’s wife Leanna, circa 1940 (Photograph courtesy of Don Yegerlehner)

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/04/30/thirteenth-month-gladys/

Letter to Jim (Roscoe)

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[Editor’s Note: This letter to Jim Foster was included in Roscoe’s letter to Gladys of October 22, 1943. It is unique to the collection because it is likely the only letter that Roscoe wrote to someone other than Gladys and the boys that survives. Faithful readers will notice a definite change in writing style and tone. The letter’s survival is due the the fact that it was mailed to Gladys, whether intentionally or by mistake.]

: October 22, 1943, p. 1

: October 22, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Francisco, Calif.

Dear Jim,

Your v-mail written Aug. 1^st arrived today so I’ll hurry and return one – The letters you wrote before took about 6 mo. to get here and I was certain you would be moved before I could return a letter to you – anyway thanks for writing me and I’m duly ashamed for not writing to you sooner.

I’m truly sorry about your mother but I’m at a loss to give her my medical service because of distance, etc. Financially I think Gladys has enough to give her the medical attention she needs – It really was fine that you could get home to see her if it was only for a few days.

I have plenty of shoulder brass so no need to send more – and anyway out here it would not make any difference. In fact I didn’t wear any for some time for I didn’t want to be a prize package. It’s quite customary in certain

[page 2] regions for all officers and men to wear the same uniform. However, we are very much civilized now that is in comparison to our first month or two.

I suppose you are interested in seeing some of the old world and are anxious to get out. I was just that over one year ago but somehow I’ve seen more than somewhat and that good old flat land around Kentland would be a sight for sore eyes. The tour of duty here has never been clearly stated so I’ve no idea how long I might be here. If it’s going to be a long time I do hope I can push forward because monotony is a slow way to pass time. I had some hope of getting home by Christmas but it begins to look doubtful. Anyway I can’t ask favors because other have been out as long as I have and they have vital interests at home the same as I.

Gladys sure has been a Dear in keeping things going and has been assuming the home responsibilities in a great big way and believe me I’m proud of her and desperately in love with her as much so as say 15 years ago – pardon the romantic side of an old salt.

Hope you get to stay in the good old USA because I know Thelma will appreciate it lots. Best wishes to Thelma and Regards.
Jake

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/04/29/letter-to-jim-roscoe/

Wanting Sympathy (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: October 22, 1943 envelope

: October 22, 1943, p. 1

: October 22, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Fran. Calif.
Oct. 22 – 1943

Dear Mother,

Your air mail written Sept. 27 came yesterday and as you might imagine there wasn’t much news in it because it was almost one month in getting here. However, one always appreciates letters regardless of how old.

There goes that word appreciate again – The more I thought of yesterday’s letter – the one I wrote – the dumber it seemed but I can’t see how or what I can write unless I go off on a tangent like that because vital news of each day’s happenings are not available – yes I’ve wrote that same old excuse so often it’s trite by now. I guess repeating that is a form of topics sorta pleading for sympathy. And every human at some point or another wants sympathy in one form or another. How on earth did I get started on sympathy? Must have been something in the diet.

In yesterday’s letter you said something about Reed Walker wishing I was there. I wonder what

[page 2] his trouble might be – my mind sure does roam, because you wrote in another letter saying he was going with Mrs. Jack Kindig – maybe he needs an over haul on the organs of internal combustion preparatory to an all out assault. That could be classed in the realm of smutty, nasty or catty depending upon the view point. Poor Reed, and how about that “little Devil.” I don’t mind the Devil but he could have left the little off. Once when Adm. Halsey, as the story goes, was walking along the deck of a ship heard a sailor say “There goes that old S.B. – “ where upon The Adm. Turned and said “Who says I’m old.” It’s time for the laugh now.

It seems all I’m doing now is throwing the “Bull” and someone has said that in this era of meat shortage many people would be sufficiently nourished if they swallowed their own “Bull.” Sounds good in theory but practically I’m afraid it wouldn’t stick to the ribs as most “Bull” don’t stick to anything unless its real instead of fictitious and on ad infinitum.

Please Dear excuse the crudeness of this –
Lots of Love (and that’s not Bull)
Daddy

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

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/04/28/wanting-sympathy-roscoe/

My Birthday Present (Gladys)

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[Editor’s note: It appears that this letter was ripped when it was removed from the envelope. I have attempted to fill in the missing words.]

: October 22, 1943 envelope

: October 22, 1943, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Clay City Ind.
10-22-43

Dear Daddy –

Writing from Faye’s. She asked us to come for dinner and we just arrived & I am trying to get this written so the mail man will pick it up. Glendon’s dog is very much annoyed at all the strange people around and is carrying on so Glendon had to hold her while we came in.

We went to town yesterday afternoon and I got a suit & top coat. I had been wanting a suit and top coat to match so found just what I wanted at Robinson’s. Don’t have to do any altering to anything. Also got a pr. of pjs. They are red and think you would like the colors. The suit & coat are brown. Looks like cocoa. I told your Mother I would count that my birthday present from you – that may be stretching things a little but that gave me a good excuse. (If I needed any)

J. & M. are out playing football with Glendon. They are teaching G. & D. the mysteries of football. Mark has a new football I got for him early in the fall. He took it to school with him almost every day. John even likes to play. Everyone here has a spell over how much John is growing. He is taller than your mother & almost as tall as I am but not quite. We think he will be taller than you if he keeps growing. Now won’t that be something to come home to a son as tall or taller than you.

We are invited to Sam’s tomorrow & are to see Linda Louise. I must get this into the box.

Love – Mother

The Yegerlehner cousins in the mid 1930s. The first row of row of boys is: John, Dwayne, Glendon and Mark.

Appreciation (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: October 21, 1943 envelope

: October 21, 1943, p, 1

: October 21, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Fran. Cal.
Oct. 21, 1943

Dear Mother,

I wrote John & Mark each a letter last night – not much of a letter but I thought possibly they might get a kick out of it and they probably appreciate getting a letter addressed directly to them.

And while writing of appreciation – It’s a word we often use but frequently think of what it means. We possibly never appreciate the things we have until we are removed from them. How much did we appreciate the morning paper? If it were a few hours or even minutes late we had plenty to say. What was our reaction when we couldn’t get a drink of cold water? Was that appreciated then? Understand you don’t have to answer these questions. I’m just trying to point how much we didn’t think of those things. A number of others can be enumerated – pushing the button on the radio and there is the station wanted. Want a strawberry sundae? How about a coke & a hamburger – What are those things? A good warm shower or even

[page 2] a tub bath could be had. And to be sure many varieties of foods. There is always a possibility of too much starch in the finished shirt or a few wrinkles now and then. What a button off a shirt! And yes that light over this chair is not correct and what kind of a chair were you thinking about? That mattress and those springs are a little too hard.

All those things and numerous others could be mentioned – commented upon – the necessity of each questioned and many wasted words of praise or sympathy depending upon the whether here or there, but possibly the greatest thing we didn’t appreciate was the well round society we were living in – In other words a “co-Ed” society, plus kiddes and also the old folk. And last but not least one very definite and outstanding thing – That glass of water before each meal!

The above all sounds crazy I know and I really did and still do appreciate you and your care of me –
Love Daddy

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

In Clay City (Gladys)

1 Reply

: October 21, 1943 envelope

: October 21, 1943, p. 1

: October 21, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Clay City, Ind.
10-21-1943

Dear Daddy –

You will note from the heading I am in C.C. We went thru T.H. yesterday & left J. T. at Mayroses. We left Kent about 2 PM & started for C.C. about 5 – then I happened to think I wanted to see Ethel W. It was a good thing I did because Wayne was at Teachers Convention and Ethel was going to take Mark & go home today. I didn’t have time to visit long because all three boys were anxious to get going but at least I saw her a few minutes. We got almost here & had to detour past Dietz – they are oiling 59 and all the traffic has to come this way. Your mother certainly is getting the dust when the wind is from the south. She is hoping it will change so the people on the south side of the road will get part of it – or that she won’t get it all. She & Dad slept upstairs last nite. I had to sleep down because of the baby’s bed so she thought I wouldn’t rest well on the davenport. I slept pretty good until 3 a.m. then was awake off & on until time to get up. I still feel tired but I think I will for a while.

We are going to town this afternoon and do some visiting. Faye asked us down to dinner tomorrow – then the next day will be Sat. & Sun. we go back. Time soon flies. It was cloudy this a.m. early & we had a shower but it’s cleared off now and seems very pleasant out. John is with Dwane & Mark with Glendon. Glendon was going nut hunting and of course that suited Mark but not John. John got his report card yesterday. He had 3 – A+’s, 2- A’s, 1 – B+ and two S’s. S is for satisfactory and Phy. Ed & Citizenship have just two grades – satisfactory or D which is below passing. John, Angus, Ina M. Walkup

[page 2] and Evelyn Mingle in the 8^th grade were on the honor roll.

David is taking a nap. He has been having a good time this morning. I brought the Taylor Tot along & he can get around in it. The pen is too big to fit in the back of the car & is a nuisance to take along – anyway he doesn’t like to stay in it so the Taylor Tot was the best to bring, then when we go to town we can put him in it while we shop. He can’t walk along & is too heavy to carry. Besides he doesn’t like to be carried – squirms down when he takes a notion he would rather walk.

J. & T. will start back Fri. for Norfolk. He may be there for a while yet or may be sent to another shipyard if he gets changed to Chief steam fitter.

Mom is mashing potatoes, so must go help.
Love,
Mother