Tag Archives: genealogy

Yankee Doodle Dandy (Roscoe)

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Fran Calif.
Oct. 20, 1943

Dear John,

I’ve just finished writing Mark and I find that this was the only paper I had. So you will have to excuse it at present because it is raining and the store is closed.

The last letter I remember getting from you was the one thanking me for your birthday present. So I guess it really was my time to write.

Mother wrote the other day that you were playing foot ball – in your Ph. Ed. Class. That should really be good for you – give you some muscles and make a tough boy?

Do you ever write any compositions anymore? Our show the other nite was “Yankee Doodle Dandy” and in it the hero was always composing songs. It made me think of you. I could just see you sitting there pecking out the tunes.

Right now we have news commentators on – Raymond Gram Swing is on – It’s nice and clear – sounds just like we used to get them at home.

Love Daddy

P.S. Don’t forget that kiss to Mother.

John (January 1943)

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/04/24/yankee-doodle-dandy-roscoe/

How About You? (Roscoe)

2 Replies

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Oct. 20, 1943

Dear Mark –

It surely has been a long time since I’ve written you and about that long since I’ve received a letter from you.

Mother often writes me that you are still working on your airplanes. I just wonder how many different planes you can identify – The P-38 of course is easy – the P-40 isn’t so easy – How about the F47, F4U, F67, TB7, SBD, the B-25, B-24, B-17 & the Ventura? I think I can identify each of those types – How about you?

I hope your school work is coming along fine by now and I know your grades will be as good and probably better than last year. You can do it I know. So I’m looking forward for a good report at the end of your first grading period.

Well son I’m betting on you so don’t let me down.
Love Daddy

P.S. Don’t forget that kiss to Mother from me.

Mark (January 1943)

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/04/23/how-about-you-roscoe/

The F Word (Roscoe)

2 Replies

: October 20, 1943 envelope

: October 20, 1943, p. 1

: October 20, 1943, p. 2

: October 20, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Oct. 20, 1943
F.P.O. San Fran Cal.
Navy 60

Dear Mother,

I seemed to have gotten the address date etc., at the heading of this letter out of the usual order – for no reason at all. Just a mental relapse for a short period of time.

Last night’s show was – “My Heart Belongs to Daddy,” a pretty good light comedy. It’s a scream to attend the show not so much for the show itself but to get the reactions of the men who are and have been from under the influence of women. The officers are a little more reserve in their comments, but when the leading actress makes here her appearance there are loud cheers & whistles which would cause most shows in the states to stop and investigate. Let the leading lady walk across the stage in a suggestive manner as they sometimes do and the same loud cheering – The thing that really brings down the house is mention of a South Sea Isle. The shows aren’t the only place where women’s influence is missing.

[page 2] The ordinary conversation of the men and some of the officers is dotted all too often with juicy bits of vulgarity which would make the hair raise of many a good man woman and/or men also. The favorite word which one hears most often is that nasty four lettered word which runs something like the f—k. You would be surprised as to the number of places where that has been used as an adjective. I’m not being vulgar in writing this – That is maybe not. In a Time Magazine of about one year ago that word was printed just as I have it written – Maybe you have read it. I shutter [shudder] to think of the influence necessary to delete that word and I have a feeling that there will be many blushing faces due to the slip of the tongue. I’m not pleading the fair haired boy but thank goodness that is one word I haven’t picked up even though possibly I have selected a few extra.

Woman’s influence on man might make a good topic and I could write from both sides since I’ve enjoyed the one side and despaired of the

[page 3] of the other and I’ll add that the woman who has had the most influence on me has been the very best – namely Mrs. R.S. Yegerlehner

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/2015/04/22/the-f-word-roscoe/

New Boss (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: October 19, 1943 envelope

: October 19, 1943, p. 1

: October 19, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Oct. 19, 1943

Dear Mother,

Yours of Sept. 7 & 9 came yesterday – In the 7 letter you seemed to be OK, but in the 9^th you wrote of being in bed and from your letter I supposed you had a bowel upset. I can think of nothing better than Kaopectate. However by now you are all over that I hope. In one of your letters was the letter from Mead Johnson & Co. I thought it was nice of them to write and offer – of course there is nothing in their line that I want or need just not at present.

A letter came from Wayne W. and also a v-mail from Dr. Mathews. Sometime when I get ambition I’ll drop them a line – Wayne seems to be busy having school and rationing trouble. Dr. Mathews also seems to be busy and anxious for me to return – No more anxious than I however – believe me.

You mentioned Doris Green getting married – That is one on me because I don’t know who Doris Green is – possibly I do but just can[‘t] remember now. The baby crop

[page 2] seems to be picking up not gradually but by leaps & bounds. Funny how things like that keep going or is it?

I have a new boss – came yesterday and I have to go meet him in about ½ hour – since I’m the only old timer here I guess I’ll have to show him the ropes. It’s always a pleasure as well as a care because some of the fellows with lots of brass really have brass. Although most of them are pretty fine individuals.

Hicky Reinhart sent me four plugs of chewing tobacco. I didn’t know he knew I chewed the nasty stuff. I don’t very much but when I find I’m smoking too much I take on a chew and that gives me a rest. Is that good? You really won’t need to bother answering that letter question, because I know what you would say and rightly so – why use either?!

Well, Dear I hope things are OK with you and continues to be so.
Love Daddy

P.S. This is the last of this paper – hence the both sides issue.

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/2015/04/21/new-boss-roscoe/

New Tree (Gladys)

2 Replies

Letter transcription:

MRS. R.S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
10-19-43

Dear Daddy – Yours of Oct. 12 & 13 came today. I was downtown this afternoon 5 P.M. & saw Barry the Mass. Salesman. He had pictures of his twins. They really are some boys. Barry of course wanted to know when you were coming home. He saw David and thought he was growing very much. We saw Lucile & Jimmy Ed. Jim, Thelma & I walked to town for some fresh air. I have been so tired – I thought I would lie down a few minutes this afternoon and went to sleep and John woke me up when he came in from school. He, Mark & Jim have gone to the football game. They were planning on Uncle Jim buying hot dogs for them. They said what fun is a foot ball game without hot dogs. I am not used to cooking for Jim. It’s just like shoveling coal into a furnace to feed him. I don’t see how he stays so streamlined as much as he eats. Thelma told me he has to go back to school Oct. 25 if he doesn’t get his rating changed. He has applied Chief Steam fitter and if he gets that will be sent to some ship building yard – he says the quota where he is is full. The Onarga Co. finally replaced the tree & I had some more shrubs put in the back yard. I had Jim water all of them today – want him to water them before we leave tomorrow. They said that one tree was too dry. It is on a little hill but it was guaranteed so should be replaced. The new one is very nice looking. We are still having nice weather. Hope it lasts this week. It’s about time for the boys to come home.

Love Mother

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/04/20/new-tree-gladys/

Book Review – Hiding the Past

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[Disclaimer: I was not asked to review this book and I purchased my own copy. I love fiction books that incorporate genealogy mysteries. One of my all time favorite books is Possession by A.S. Byatt (which if you haven’t read, you should! It has several wonderful genealogy twists).]

Hiding the Past: A Genealogical Crime Mystery. Nathan Dylan Goodwin. Published by CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2013. 228 pages. Paperback, $12.99, Kindle eBook, $6.89. ISBN: 1492737429.

Hiding the Past is the first book in the Forensic Genealogist mystery series. Morton Farrier is a forensic genealogist and he has been hired to track down an adoption puzzle. James Coldrick was taken to British Children’s home in the days following D-Day in 1944. The only clues to his identity are a photograph of a young woman holding the infant James and a small box. After a lifetime of trying to solve the mystery of his parentage, James’ task was passed on to his son Peter. When Peter discovers the photograph amongst his father’s papers, he hires Morton to work on the case. What begins as a simple adoption case turns into a complicated British conspiracy which will stop at nothing to keep the mystery of James’ parentage a secret.

It is clear from Hiding the Past that Goodwin has a background in solid genealogical research as well as modern forensic methods. His knowledge brings a level of realism to Morton’s methods. The narrative of the story switches between two times periods: Morton’s present day world as he pieces the clues together and the days up to and preceding D-day in 1944 when James Coldrick was an infant. The reader is given tantalizing bits of James’ back story as Morton picks apart the conspiracy and brings the perpetrators to justice. Additionally, the reader learns about Morton’s history as an adoptee. Since this is the first book in the series, the mystery of Morton’s parentage creates a larger story arc which goes beyond the first novel.

Any fan of modern British mystery novels should enjoy this book; a forensic genealogist detective is an added bonus. Any genealogist can relate to the thrill of discovering a new clue, or to the disappointment of not finding a record where it should be. Hiding the Past is an entertaining mystery with a sufficient hook at the end to leave the reader waiting for the next installment.

©2015 copyright by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/04/19/book-review-hiding-the-past/

More Water Torture (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: October 18, 1943 envelope

: October 18, 1943, p. 1

: October 18, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60 F.P.O. San Fran Cal.
Oct. 18, 1943

Dear Mother,

Blue Monday or rather I should say hot & sticky Monday. I had that same old Chinese torture last night. A drop of water about every 15 min., either in the face, shoulder or tummy. I’m going to try to do something about that today because it is bothersome to have that tent top leak and have that drop of water ever so often. If it were a large stream I guess I’d get my rain coat or something but it isn’t worth while when the drops are so far apart. So much for that nonsense.

Again I’m wishing you a happy birthday and I do hope your next bunch of flowers gets there in time for your birthday. I believe this fellow is reliable and will come thru but according to his schedule it may be later than your birthday so don’t give up hope.

Here it is past the middle of Oct. and I’m

[page 2] still at the same place as in Feb. If anyone had told me then I’d be here this long I surely would have felt as if he were using the truth very careless but time has passed very rapid and I suppose I can say I’ve enjoyed myself as much as am I could have anyplace out of the U.S.A. and possibly more so than at Norfolk. It’s just the distance that makes Norfolk more desirable.

The radio is on in the skipper’s tent and the colored boy is trying to do the “jive” at the same time – trying to clean our tent and neither one is going along so well. In fact my thoughts are going to pot also. He is always asking for something and also thinks I can send him home but he is too healthy for the medical department to have much to do with his going home.

Well, I’m all done up as far as more letter in concerned.
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/2015/04/19/more-water-torture-roscoe/

Monthly Update – April 18, 2015

9 Replies

Well, the weekly update did not exactly pan out. I kept meaning to do a weekly post but it is now a month later, and I am finally making the time to write an update. So it might be better off called “The Monthly Update” since it has been about a month since my last one.

Dear Mother, Love Daddy

There is a book giveaway for the month of April at Goodreads. If you did not sign up for last month’s giveaway, there is still time. The contest runs until the end of the month.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25099832-dear-mother-love-daddy

I gave a few copies of the book to Nichelle Bara of Copper Leaf Genealogy. She is a genealogist is northern Indiana and the St. Joseph’s County ICG. She is in the process of writing a review, and she is going to be running a contest to give a way a couple copies of the book. Stay tuned for links to the review and instructions of the contest!

If you are interested in purchasing an autographed copy of the book, I am selling copies. The cost is $21. The price includes one book, one autograph, and priority mail shipping within the U.S. Please contact me through the contact page/form tab if you are interested. The book is still available on Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble online. Follow the link on the right hand side of the blog to purchase directly from Amazon.

I now have an official press release for the book, and have submitted several copies to local bookstores. If you are interested in obtaining a copy of the press release, please contact me.

Professional Learning

I am now an official graduate of the ProGen Study Group program. I am waiting for my certificate to come in the mail! I recommend the program highly to anyone who is interested in advancing their genealogy skills to a higher level.

I attended the Sacramento Roots Cellar Spring seminar with D. Joshua Taylor as the keynote speaker in March. It was a wonderful educational experience. As a result, I have started revamping the way I organize my genealogy files. I have also started using Google sheets to catalogue some of my projects as well as using Google’s tools to communicate with my clients more effectively. One of the first projects I started was making a catalogue of the World War II letters. So far, I have included all the letters from Dear Mother, Love Daddy.

I still haven’t decided what educational opportunity I should try next. However, I am starting to look ahead to which projects I should use for my Board of Certified Genealogists portfolio. Among the samples I have to include are: a research report prepared for a client, a case study (proof argument using conflicting or indirect evidence), and a kinship-determination project (lineage). The biggest task is choosing projects that have not been previously evaluated or published. I have used some of my family research for projects while studying for my Boston University certificate and the ProGen Study group. Those are off limits! The portfolio must be diverse in scope as well. I have to explore different types of genealogy problems, using a wide variety of records and sources.

Local News

I was able to meet with the branch manager of my local library in regards to starting some genealogy programming. We have tentatively set a date in September for an introduction level round table event. I am mulling over all the things I want to say to beginning genealogists. I have to create a 20-30 minute presentation. One of things I have come up with is…always start by documenting yourself! I think everyone has the tendency to jump ahead to great grandma or the ancestor who reportedly served in the Civil War. It is important to build a solid foundation from the beginning. Lots of information can be gleaned from your own birth certificate.

DNA

I was pleasantly surprised this month to get a high level match on my maternal side of the family. Since my grandmother was an only child AND she did not have first cousins on her maternal side, there are not many people I can ask to spit for me. In addition, she comes from old New England which is infamous for endogamy. She has a lot of pedigree collapse in her tree. I have occasionally discovered 9th and 10th cousins who appear as closer relatives, but nothing substantial. The new match appears as a 2nd to 3rd cousin, but is actually a fifth cousin to me on paper. This is partly due to the pedigree collapse and to a large portion of shared X chromosome. The X chromosome has a unique inheritance pattern due to male/female inheritance. Males only get one from their mothers, while females get two (one from each parent). It’s almost like DNA playing hopscotch! Of course, this new match has renewed my interest in researching my Howard family lineage. I am descended from John Howard of Bridgewater, Massachusetts, through over 8 different lines of descent.

In the last month, I have created many more boards on Pinterest. In case you are not aware, my first career was in theatrical and historical costuming. I have a lot of experience researching different historical clothing periods. I see a lot of people struggling to identify and date photographs within the field of genealogy. There are several genealogists who specialize in the field of dating photographs. There are many factors to take into consideration when dating a photograph. Clothing is a major factor, and it can be tricky, depending on the age and social circumstances of the person being photographed. On Pinterest, I have created several boards for the 19th and early 20th centuries with the aim of assisting people in dating photographs. The boards are divided by decade and they contain only photographs of actual clothing, not fashion plates. Here is a link to the 1870s board:

https://www.pinterest.com/GenealogyLadyCA/1870s-clothing/

I am considering writing a few blog posts about clothing and fashion trends in the future. Please let me know if this is something that would appeal to you.

Upcoming Events

I am getting more excited about the Southern California Genealogy Jamboree in June. This will be my first opportunity to meet some genealogy rock stars in person as well as to connect with some fellow genealogists I know only from online. I am an honorary blogger as well.

The Day After the Funeral (Gladys)

2 Replies

: October 18, 1943 envelope

: October 18, 1943, p. 1

: October 18, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Kentland, Ind.
Oct. 18 – 1943

Dear Daddy,

Yours of Oct. 5, 8, 9 & 10 came today – one picture – Thanks and reminds me to tell you I haven’t any film and can’t get any for our camera. I will keep trying. Maybe I can find a roll in time for Oct. 23 – (13^th month). David is now sitting in his high chair chewing on a crust of bread – he seems to like to eat just plain bread. I cut his hair today and I like it very much. He jabbers like John used to do. Lucile kept him yesterday until after the funeral and she said he was very good. Slept from 1 pm till 3 – Floyd & Ruth brought him home after we came back to the house for all the family to see. Your Dad, Ralph, Faye, Glendon & Clara came yesterday. Your Mother went back – She had intended to stay but J. & T. stayed so she went home. I am to take them to T.H. Wed and go on to C.C. The boys will be out of school from Wed. noon (teachers convention). Which reminds me – Mark brought his card home with 3 A’s, 1 A-, 5 B’s, 1 B+. John didn’t get his card today. The band teacher had to resign due to a heart condition.

[page 2] As yet I haven’t received the autopsy report but know there was carcinoma of Pancreas & gall stones. I’ll send it as soon as I get it. I asked the Red Cross to get a message to you so hope you got it. I haven’t talked to Dr. Cole since last Thurs. I thought he might be able to explain things fully after the O.M. but the report will no doubt do that.

Jim addressed cards to people who sent flowers, pallbearers, Mrs. Knowlton & Rathburn & Rev. Servies. We both signed – I got a wire for $10⁰⁰ from Glen this a.m. for flowers. Of course I had taken care of the flowers for all the children. Jim had a pd. up pol. for $100⁰⁰ and one for $315⁰⁰ I have here. I paid the hospital bill in full Fri. – The total was $248⁰⁰ but I had kept it paid every week. If I figure correctly I have a bal. of $23 – now in the bank but have no outstanding bills except the drug store and it isn’t much. There isn’t anything I can think of I’ll need to pay before the first. The Ins. is taken care of now until Dec. J. & T. are out right now. Mark is in the yard – John is trying to entertain D. and I must get this finished so it will get mailed. I still think you could write a book. I have your letters to prove it when you come back.

Love Mother

John and Lovina (Schiele) Yegerlehner (Roscoe’s parents, c1946)

Tonsil Advice (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: October 17, 1943 envelope

: October 17, 1943, p. 1

: October 17, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

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

Dear Mother,

Your v-mail letters of 9-28 & 10-4 came yesterday and your air mail of 10-3. That made the v-mail one day later than the air mail – That is the last v-mail. They were both printed or pictured on the same day. Too bad Glen had to go home but finances are an important thing in this day & age.

I can’t give you any advice about your tonsils because I don’t know what the condition of your throat was after your illness last winter. So you will just have to rely on Dr. Ade and yourself. I do believe this however that if removed in the spring you will have less trouble with raw irritation during the winter but maybe just raw irritation wouldn’t be as bad as a full blown sore throat all winter long.

I don’t believe I mention or commented on the new great grandchild – no doubt

[page 2] the whole family is proud and even more so since a female turned up at that time.

Your finances were more depleted than you stated in your previous letter but if you had all bills paid up to Oct. 4 maybe you can skimp along until Nov. 1 when your regular checks come in – and maybe by that time I’ll be able to send a little again.

The boy is here cleaning and he keeps mumbling and I’m trying to write in between. He wants my Jeep this P.M. and I have to think of a good excuse because he drives too reckless. The colored boys around here are have wrecked a few so they can’t be trusted to far. I’ll just have to send a driver but they don’t like that.

Well, I have to go treat the natives again this A.M. and it is about time.
Love Daddy

P.S. We heard Sat P.M. football game between Navy & Penn. State a direct broadcast this A.M. at breakfast time – figure that out.