Tag Archives: genealogy

A Nap Today (Gladys)

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: October 5, 1943 envelope

: October 5, 1943, p. 1

: October 5, 1943, p. 2

: October 5, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
Oct 5 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

Yours of Sept. 27 & 21 came today. You mentioned giving the 4^th person money to send me flowers in time for my birthday – well I have rec’d 16 beautiful roses over a week ago – so that is one to make off your list. You also mentioned a white baby in a picture. Of course we wondered about it – It did look conspicuous there.

It is a beautiful fall day – warm in the sun. I put David out for a little ultra violet but he isn’t liking it by himself. He got used to having James L. around. Also he just woke up & not in a very good humor – his arm is red around the vaccination – It is taking good but not too hard. I think that is why he has been a little touchy lately. Doesn’t want to drink his milk so well as when he took it from the bottle but I think he will drunk when he gets hungry enough. At breakfast he drank a cup of milk besides a large serving of cereal but at noon didn’t want much milk but ate plenty of think chicken soup. It had vegetables of several different varieties in it. When he woke up I beat an egg up and put that with this milk and added a little sugar but he didn’t want much. Yesterday however at 3 he drank a cup of egg & milk. Mark is going to a wiener roast at Taylor’s farm. All the 5^th grade is invited. He wanted to ride the bike but I told him I didn’t think you would approve so he finally gave up the idea after John expounded on the

[page 2] idea that he would be too tired to enjoy himself after he got there also would be awfully tired after riding home, etc. John, as I have said before gets more like his Daddy every day in his logical reasoning. I think Mark goes the other way. He gets a “screwy” idea, then I have to talk him out of it, then he sees my way. Sometimes it takes quite a lot of talking to change his mind but when he changes he is just as convinced as if it had been his idea all along. He has been leaving his bike out by the sidewalk & I told him if he didn’t put it in the garage every time he has thru with it I would take it away from him. Today when he went back to school he didn’t ride it because they are riding out to Taylor’s with John Krug. I found the bike in the front yard just where he left it when he came in to lunch – I hid it in the garage – he won’t get home till nearly dark and won’t think about it – He is going to awfully surprised when he gets ready to go to school – I run the bike in back of the screens (storm windows are all one – Glen put them on). I haven’t been to the hospital since Sun. (This is Tues.) I intend to go again tomorrow. I called Dr. Cole today & he said there was no drastic change but that Mother is gradually getting weaker. He isn’t giving her anything now but sleeping medicine. Said she has quite a lot of distention of abdomen.

I took a nap today while D. slept – the first time I have done that in a long time. I couldn’t manage it while I had company. I feel pretty good and don’t’ always feel like I need a nap but the urge was so strong today I dropped right off to sleep. When J. comes home from school we will go to Sheldon for meat. I’ll be glad if & when they get the locker built here. I suppose it will be several months yet because of the red tape they have to go thru to get the materials to build with but it will be worth waiting for. I have been sitting in the garage door by David to keep him quiet since I started writing. He certainly isn’t like J. & M. were in respect to sitting still – even with sitting here by him he

[page 3] isn’t satisfied. I have a strong urge to use a little hand power on his seat. He keeping wanting everything I have – paper, pen, etc. I brought out toys for him & he threw them down. – I just scolded him & he is crying –

Well this is an “off” day so will have to overlook his disposition – It is usually pretty good –
Love Mother

Some beautiful roses…

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/03/24/a-nap-today-gladys/

Are You Tanned? (Roscoe)

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: October 4, 1943 envelope

: October 4, 1943, p. 1

: October 4, 1943, p. 2

: October 4, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Sept. 4, 1943 [sic October]

Dear Mother,

About your picture again – are you tanned? That picture suggests you have a heavy coat of tan – possibly it’s the way you have your face turned away from the light. I would have no comment either way if you were only I was just inquisitive. It’s still a very good picture.

Today was supposed to be native day but we changed it to Sun. In order to catch more at home and it works out a little

[page 2] better for us. They of course like to have treatment but are not too interested. As I said before they lead a simple life but I don’t get it. Day after day just sit with nothing to do but roam around and watch the ocean and wander thru the jungle. That all seems fine for a time but I suppose even that will would in time be very monotonous. They even have their troubles. The chief’s wife died some time ago and he married a slip

[page 3] of a thing and she ran off and left him – just the same old story.

With summer time coming on our radio isn’t so good. Just like at home in the summer time. We do manage to get at least one good news program during the evening. As a rule the Jap programs are good but they even failed us last night.

Well, I’ve some work to do so solong until tomorrow
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/2015/03/23/are-you-tanned-roscoe/

Started West (Gladys)

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Letter transcription:

MRS. R.S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
10-4-43

Dear Daddy – Yours of Sept. 26 came today. Glen & family started west this afternoon about 2 o’clock. They figured they would be in Rawlins, Wyo. By Thurs. in case I would want to reach them on their way home. We were all down to see Mother yesterday and she was feeling very uncomfortable. Glen hated to go home but was so chocked up all the time and needed to get back to work because of their low finances. I told you before I gave them the old washing machine & rug I took out of the den. They had both things tied onto the car. Glen made a crate for the machine & had it fixed on the back on a little platform. The rug was on the running board. I will be glad to hear they are home – that is such a long trip. – I gave you a little report on our finances but will repeat my bal. after paying current bills should be around $125 – I said $170 in my other letter but forgot about the piano. Next month there won’t be any large amts. for Ins. Jim will help out on the hospital expenses when I need it. I am keeping all bills paid so far and will as long as I have the money. Haven’t bought any bonds since July but we have 21 – $18.75 & 6 – $37.50 & each boy has 2 – $18.75. I forgot – D. has 3 & J. & M. each have 2. – The Music Dept. is having their opening luncheon tonite & I am intending to go with D.K. I feel it may help me to get away from the house for awhile. The only places I go is the hosp. and to the stores when necessary. I didn’t go to the club opening luncheon in Sept. – went down to the hospital instead. John is baking a cake.

Love – Mother

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/03/22/started-west-gladys/

Being Interesting (Roscoe)

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: October 3, 1943 envelope

: October 3, 1943, p. 1

: October 3, 1943, p. 2

: October 3, 1943, p. 3

: October 3, 1943, p. 4

: October 3, 1943, p. 5

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Fran Cal.
Oct. 3, 1943

Dear Mother,

Your letters of Sept. 17 & 18 came yesterday P.M. The one of the 18^th had a picture of you holding D. It really is a swell picture of both of you and I really enjoyed it very much.

In that letter you said something about my letter of Aug. 28 being interesting – I’m at a loss to know just which particular letter that was. If it was interesting or good I must have been off the beam that day so not remembering that particular letter I don’t know what to be proud of. You see that was over a month ago now and my memory

[page 2] isn’t too long.

Floyd wrote a big long letter which came yesterday and I also received a birthday greeting and letter from Mom. Seems she was a little early. She also said she was sending a package and it’s no need for me to go into the package sending again.

The Aug. 12^th issue of the Newton Co. E. came and all that I could find there except what I already knew was this family and that family going on vacation and spending a couple of weeks at this lake or at the resort. All of which made me feel real good. I’m not

[page 3] just sure how I mean that but after alls said and done I guess it’s not right to be jealous of other people nor use that their happiness to feel sorry for ourselves for there are numerous other families in our same position and some much worse.

Just had another look at the picture and I do believe you are better looking now than a year ago – No not what you are thing – pregnant and all. Let’s say a little before that – D. sure looks like an up and coming young American also.

I believe the diagnosis of

[page 4] your mother’s case is as clear as can be but they are just being kind to you in not telling you the actual facts. From the tone of your letter it seems you were just a little critical of yourself because surgery was not done. Maybe you aren’t and you should not be. If the truth were known I believe your mother had some trouble or indication that she wasn’t well when she came to you first last winter but she just wouldn’t come out with it. Then would have been the time but you had no way of knowing since of course she would not tell. As near as I see the thing you are doing the very best you know how and should not feel that a thing has been left

[page 5] undone. I hope the boys feel that way also because I wouldn’t want them to think that we had slipped in taking care of her. In Jim’s letter he still was very confident that she would recover.

We are having a slight drizzle this A.M. It makes it a little cooler because the sun just doesn’t get there.

If there is anything I write worth reading, I mean other than about you and the family, as you said I did on Aug. 28, save it because I’d like to know what it really was.

Thanks again for the picture it really was swell –
Love Daddy

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/03/21/being-interesting-roscoe/

Pasteurized Milk (Gladys)

5 Replies

: October 3, 1943 envelope

: October 3, 1943, p. 1

: October 3, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
Oct. 3 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

We are in Laf. again today. Glen & Pauline want to start home tomorrow so we all came down. J. & M. came along to help take care of the babies. David makes so much noise I didn’t want to bring him in. Mother just seems about the same – only weaker. She didn’t eat anything yesterday except a little breakfast and ate only some broth at noon today & a little ice cream – Says she doesn’t want any supper. I think she is having pain in her abdomen now. She moans some & that is so unnatural for her to do any like that. She had a B.M. a few minutes ago. For no more food than she takes her bowels moved pretty good. Her abdomen is quite swollen today.

I was able to find enough flowers in my flower beds to bring a nice bouquet. The marigolds don’t smell good but make a pretty showing. I was thinking about the frost not bothering them yet. This time last year we had had snow. I was in the hospital in Sept. & there was snow on Sept. 25. It is a little chilly today but the sun is shining. I hope G. & P. have nice weather for their trip home.

I am going to put D. on pasteurized milk if you think I can give it to him without boiling it. If I have to boil it will just keep him on carnation. I was checking over a baby manual given me when he was born. He was ahead of nearly all the things he was supposed to do at 3-6-9 months – however

[page 2] at 12 mo – the questions were – walk alone, ride on a kiddie kar, climb steps – He doesn’t walk alone yet, doesn’t ride a car but he gets around and one day I sat him on the stair way to put his wraps on and he started upstairs on high. I think he is doing alright. He was much more advanced in everything than J.L. at the same age. The only thing J.L. does that D. didn’t or rather wouldn’t do was hold his bottle. Of course D. doesn’t get a bottle now – drinks out of a cup.

I saw Bill Funk yesterday & he said he was going to write you another letter. He has taken your address several times – Took it so he could write you while on vacation, but I’ll bet he didn’t write then.

Zell’s finished the outdoor fireplace Parr’s started and had a hamburger fry last night. They asked J. & M. to eat with them. They have canned meat & don’t use many of their ration stamps so can have extra meat for company. Mr. Z.’s father lives on a farm & furnishes them with most of their meat. Portteus’ are going to butcher a hog soon & Mary said I could have half of it. If I can get enough points we’ll take it. I used 988 for the beef which took several weeks ahead. However, when buying meat in quarters or half, the point value is lower. The beef should last us until after we have points to use again.

While in Laf. I can hear planes going over all the time. They certainly are getting lots of practice all the time. Mark watches planes & identifies every one he sees. I don’t know whether he knows or says he does. I think his tonsillectomy was the best thing he could have done. He still isn’t much heavier but has a good appetite & isn’t nervous.

Love Mother

P.S. – Something new has been added – I see interns in the hospital again.

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/03/20/pasteurized-milk-gladys/

Swellest (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: October 2, 1943 envelope

: October 2, 1943, p. 1

: October 2, 1943, p. 2

: October 2, 1943, p. 3

: October 2, 1943, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Fran. Cal.
Oct. 2, 1943

Dear Mother,

Just another Sat. a small rain last night helped lay the dust but makes the atmosphere a little more sticky.

Your letter dated Sept. 19 and posted Sept. 20 came yesterday. You had just gotten back from the hospital and told me your mother couldn’t seem to take what you thought was ammonium nitrate. You never have given a definite report on the x ray findings – but that probably can is in the letters from Sept. 14 to Sept. 19 which at present are missing. A letter also came from the Folks yesterday.

[page 2] they seem to be coming along pretty good. Mom used to write with a very nervous hand but anymore her writing is very steady. In this letter she again praised you in how you were carrying on. I hope you don’t get tired of me harping on the subject but it sure means a lot to me that other people can see how you are doing.

I guess the problem of putting in the storm windows was solved easily and early since Glenn so kindly put them in for you. It makes me feel good to know that the weather is cool someplace – cool enough to even think of glass for windows. I haven’t seen any glass windows

[page 3] for ages. Windshields are the only glass one ever sees. Pardon me always referring to cool weather but I hope you understand.

I’ve mentioned several times about Drs. getting orders, etc. All those fellows have spent less time in the Pacific that I and they are just being changed to more desirable locations. I seem to be in between and sometimes I wonder if my name hasn’t been lost in the rush. Of course I don’t mind for I’m enjoying this type work and am willing to stay until my tour of duty is over whenever that might be. Maybe I shouldn’t be writing this stuff all the time but it is the most interesting conversation

[page 4] we can carry on. There is a certain satisfaction in us old timers getting together and projecting ourselves into the future. You should hear what some plan and desire when they return. I’m just silent on that score because my only plans and more plans are to come back to the swellest three boys I know and “The Mother” who has carried on with these boys first and foremost. Those are the swellest plans I can think of. Maybe I’m getting too sentimental for an old crust who never was much of a romancer.

Well Dear I hope everything is OK with you – I’m still pulling for you to the Nᵗʰ degree.
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/2015/03/19/swellest-roscoe/

Getting A Little Naughty (Gladys)

4 Replies

: October 2, 1943 envelope

: October 2, 1943, p. 1

: October 2, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
Oct 2 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

Another day in Oct. almost gone. It is sunny today but cool. Glen & P. are packing to start home Mon. They feel they have stayed as long as their finances will allow. A little longer perhaps, but Glen will go to work as soon as they get home. He isn’t very good here and should get back where the climate agrees with him.

I just looked over the bank bal. and with Ins. pd. (Laf. Life & Hancock), Groc., lights, etc. – and Mother hospital bill pd. tomorrow I’ll have a bal. of about $170⁰⁰ – that bal. includes the ck. I rec’d today & the $250⁰⁰ you sent that I deposited Mon. The Ins. to come out together amts to $133⁰⁰. These amounts we have to pay sure take the balance down, but I still have a wide enough margin and Jim is standing by to help on Mother’s expenses. He gave me a check for $100⁰⁰ when he was here. Today’s or rather tomorrow’s check to the hospital will take all of that. We didn’t go down today but thought we

[page 2] would all go tomorrow so G. & P. can see Mother before they go.

Dorothy took some movies of D. and was wondering if we could send the film to you – if you could have it shown where you are – Let me know. She still has some film left she hasn’t taken – said she was coming out & finish the roll with D.

D. is out in the sunshine right now. He is getting a little naughty at meal times. Doesn’t always want to sit up & act nice, so his Mother is deciding it’s time to do something about it. I remember one time you spanked John and how nice he acted at the table after that.

The roses had to go out today – they began to fall apart so we decided their beauty was gone. They were beautiful while they lasted.

It’s about time to begin preparing supper – That is a job, to cook for so many, twice a day. I just let everyone get breakfast as they want it. So much of the time Glen doesn’t feel like eating early in the morning & I like something to eat after I feed David.

This was in the Newton Co. E. about David’s birthday party – a few mistakes but that is to be expected –

“Love Mother”

Newton County Enterprise - 1943-09-30 David Yegerlehner 1st birthday

Newton County Enterprise (Kentland, Indiana) 30 September 1943, p. 5, col. 4

[Editor’s Note: The original newspaper clipping was not saved in this letter. I was able to obtain a copy of the article from the Indiana State Library. I can only say how grateful I am to the wonderful library technicians who work there. They are amazing!]

The First Act (Roscoe)

2 Replies

: October 1, 1943 envelope

: October 1, 1943, p. 1

: October 1, 1943, p. 2

: October 1, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Fran. Cal.
10-1-43

Dear Mother,

The first act upon arising this A.M. was to wind the calendar. One doesn’t need a watch just a calendar and it’s a great pleasure to turn the Dr. Miles addition over one leaf.

I’m waiting to use the telephone but it seems the party line is busy so I may have to wait for some time – men gossiping I suppose. I’m not eves dropping to hear what is going on.

[page 2] Another Dr. recently got orders and that is gradually leaving me here with a bunch of new comers. It keeps one guessing from day to day as to what the day might bring. Seems this letter is almost a copy of what I wrote yesterday only stating it in different words.

You can tell no doubt by what I’m writing that I’m in a hurry. It’s that old inspecting story and I’ve got to go when transportation

[page 3] is available and if I don’t get this out before then it won’t make the delivery so some day I’m going to sit down and really write again. I’ll just convey the sentiment by saying

Lots of Love
Daddy

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

First of October (Gladys)

3 Replies

Letter transcription:

MRS. R.S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
10-1-43

Dear Daddy – The first day Oct. and two letters from you of Sept. 22 & 25. It was warm today until about 4 p.m. then the wind started to blow and it has cooled off. Looked like a storm was brewing but it blew over. I was hoping we would have warm weather for a while due to the coal situation. Anne Rhudie told me that she & Helena are going to close their home & take rooms this winter due to the coal shortage. We won’t be the only ones wanting coal because no one has any yet. I do hope we get some soon and I suppose we will before we are out. J. & M. have gone to a football game. I think Glen & Pauline are going to walk over that way. Both babies are sound asleep. J. L. is getting more active all the time. I think he has been observing David. David can stand along until he discovers it, then he sits down. He gets around very good but not alone yet. Just so he has something to hold on to. I still haven’t cut his curls off yet. I gave J.L. a hair cut but his hair is very straight & needed a trim. You may think David’s needs a trim too. We didn’t go to the hospital today. I didn’t talk to Dr. C. yesterday but Mother seemed about the same except for getting bed sores. I hate to see those start. Had a letter from Jim & he said to go to the Red Cross & see if I could get him an extended leave and he would come home and help me take care of Mother. I hate to do that but he said he was thinking of my health in the matter & with the boys to look after I need help.

Love Mother

Weekly Update – March 15, 2015

2 Replies

I thought I would try writing about some events, happenings, accomplishments, etc., that are occurring in my little portion of the genealogy world this week.

In the world of Dear Mother, Love Daddy:

Currently, there is a book giveaway running on Goodreads which will last until the end of the month. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25099832-dear-mother-love-daddy

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. Follow the link on the right hand side of the blog to purchase directly from Amazon.

Professional Genealogy by Elizabeth Shown Mills

In my professional learning:

This month is the last month of the Professional Genealogy (ProGen) program for me. I have spent the last 19 months working hard to better my genealogy skills. I recommend the program highly to anyone who is interested in taking the next step in their own learning. New groups form every few months. Study groups have roughly 6-10 members with a credentialed genealogist mentoring each group. After 19 months, I have made some wonderful friends and increased my network in this small professional community.

I’m looking forward to taking a “small” break and then I’m thinking of signing up for a couple home study courses through the National Genealogy Society. The online course titled Researching Your American Revolution Ancestor sounds interesting. I have many Revolutionary War ancestors and I want to make sure I am finding all the relevant documents.

Pinterest:

I’m continuing to pin some boards related to my research and specific blog posts. Since I no longer have my archives listed on the right side of the blog page screen, Pinterest is a great way to see some of the older posts. I’ve also created boards for a couple of the Indiana counties where my ancestors lived, a board with links to my ancestors’ graves, and a board with photographs of locations that are featured in the book Dear Mother, Love Daddy. Two boards that get the most traffic are Lena’s Postcards and 19th Century Fashion. My first career was in theatrical costume design. I loved researching historical costumes. In genealogy, this has been a very helpful skill for researching and dating old photographs.
https://www.pinterest.com/GenealogyLadyCA/lenas-postcards/

Upcoming Events:

Next weekend, I am attending the spring seminar of my local genealogy society, the Sacramento Root Cellar. D. Joshua Taylor, who is probably best known at present for his work on Genealogy Road Show, will be the keynote speaker.

In June, I will be attending my first official genealogy conference, the Southern California Genealogical Society Jamboree. I have signed up for two workshops with Dr. Thomas W. Jones and Judy G. Russell. I am pretty excited that I will finally be able to meet these two genealogy rock stars in person. You may have noticed that there is a new badge on the side of the blog. By displaying the Jamboree blogger badge, I will be an honorary blogger for this event.

Until next week!