Tag Archives: genealogy

Don’t Know What to Make of Your Mother (Roscoe)

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: September 25, 1943 envelope

: September 25, 1943, p. 1

: September 25, 1943, p. 2

: September 25, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Fran. Cal.
Sept. 25, 1943

Dear Mother,

Your air mail of Sept. 10 & Sept. 11 came yesterday both of course earlier than the one of day before yesterday which was Sept. 12.

I guess Jim crossed me up when he sent my letter on to you – I’ve sorta forgotten what I wrote him. I mean the words I used but I know whatever it was I meant it.

From your letters, etc., I really don’t know what to make of your Mother but I guess that isn’t so unusual since the Drs. there seem to be having a little trouble and they have the x-rays, etc., to work with. The gallstones shouldn’t be

[page 2] causing too much difficulty – by that I mean her condition doesn’t seem to be a gallstone case out and out from your descriptions – maybe your next few letters will be more informative – That is the Drs. may have something more definite to tell you.

I keep wondering if you will get the flowers I’ve sent via a friend. He promised me very faithfully that he would do that and since I gave him money I believe he will. He seemed a little more sincere than some of the others by whom I sent word to you.

Sorry about the coal situation. You will have to order from

[page 3] both telling them the first one to get coal in will be the one that gets the job. You will have time yet in the next few weeks because while it may be getting a little cool it won’t be too cold for some weeks. That is if the winters are as they used to be. It seems last winter was a freak so one hardly knows what to expect this winter.

Well this is inspection day so must get ready for the event.
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/2015/03/05/dont-know-what-to-make-of-your-mother-roscoe/

Jeep Waiting (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: September 24, 1943 envelope

: September 24, 1943, p. 1

: September 24, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Sept. 24, 1943

Dear Mother,

Your v-mail of Sept. 1, Sept. 7 and air mail of Sept. 11 came yesterday. You wrote the air mail while in the hospital and said you would call Dr. Cole before you left and I thought you would give me a report on what you found out but you mailed it before you called. I guess you will explain to me in the next mail.

It sure was great hearing you tell of someone returning. Mr. Dye as I remember was over there before I left the States. Of course duty at a place like he had would be great as compared to what I’ve had but

[page 2] other people could say the same about the duty I’ve had. I guess everyone thinks his work is the hardest and his task is the greatest and there will always be a chance for an argument on both sides. I’ve been in this place now for over going on 8 months and it does get a little old in spots but it’s interesting. I’ve been all over the place on land all around on the water and even in the air above so it’s almost as well known to me as Newton o. but it’s not nearly as beautiful from some standpoints.

I have a jeep waiting for another trip so must get going in order to cover the territory today –

Love Daddy

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

The Tension (Gladys)

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: September 24, 1943 envelope

: September 24, 1943, p. 1

: September 24, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
Sept. 24 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

Yours of Sept. 13 came today. You said you wanted to know something about me – well I weigh 100 ever. I broke my glasses, or rather David did and I am going without them just to see if I can. So far no bad results but I may get a headache and have to have an eye exam & get new lenses. My hands got over the bad attack and pealed off and now are sore in spots again, but more of a weather irritation this time. Pauline has been doing all the soap & water work & hanging up clothes to keep me from exposing my hands but they will get sore when the weather turns cool in spite of precautions. Yesterday was a better day for a birthday party than today would have been – However Wed. was warm & we could have entertained in the yard but it was cool enough to stay in the house yesterday after taking pictures. I had been taking shots every month, then I started ahead of time the last three or four times and didn’t get shots so haven’t had Theelin or anything for several months but get along without it. I am going to see Dr. Cole tomorrow. I have been having some indigestion and have so much has all the time I really don’t think it is anything but thought he might give me some suggestions on diet. I really think it is the tension – you know what I mean – Mother so ill – trips to Laf. – etc. Too much hurrying around. I really feel

[page 2] pretty good but think I will have to be careful of my diet! David is getting so he doesn’t wake up so early and I don’t know why, but if I can sleep a little longer in the a.m. I feel better – now maybe if I would go to bed earlier that would help, but seems like my pep always raises in the afternoon and I feel more like doing thing later in the day & that usually runs into the night. When your mother was here she said she like to work in day but not in the evening. I suppose if I got up as early as she does I would be ready to quit by evening.

Mark has gone to the football game – It was raining some & I wasn’t going to allow him to go, but told him he would have to wear rain coat, hat & rubbers and in order to go he agreed. John decided he would rather stay home & practice his music lesson than go out in the rain. I was glad he did because it doesn’t help his allergy any to get cold. He doesn’t cough much anymore. His headaches come & go – Dr. V. said his glasses are correct so I think the headaches must be due to maybe his age. His voice sounds so funny at times when it gets off the “sound track.” He says he doesn’t notice that it’s any different.

It’s about time for Mark to get home – here he is – Kentland won 48 to 12 – Knox lost. He (Mark) is all out of breath telling about it.

David is due for smallpox vaccination but has a little head cold so don’t know whether the Dr. will want to give it to him or not. He acts like he is going to cut more teeth. Still has just 6.

Love Mother

© 2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/03/02/the-tension-gladys/

Book Preview

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Two more days until the book giveaway! While everyone is waiting here is another preview from Dear Mother, Love Daddy from the first chapter – Introduction:

During World War II, Roscoe Yegerlehner and his wife, Gladys, began and continued an incredible daily correspondence. Gladys was meticulous about saving every letter that Roscoe wrote. She even managed to save several of the letters that he wrote to their boys. It is somewhat amazing that any of those letters survived, considering that the recipients were 10 and 12 years old in 1942. At the beginning of Roscoe’s service, when he was stationed at the Naval Training Station, Norfolk, Virginia, Roscoe did not save Gladys’ letters. He threw them away after he read them. After he was shipped out to the Pacific, the letters meant much more to him; they became his lifeline home. He kept them and brought them home to Kentland.

Some of the letters were lost. For example, some of letters that Gladys wrote during the month of September 1942 were never delivered. Roscoe had just been assigned to a new post. Those letters were probably lost by the Post Office, misdirected by the Navy, or destroyed while traveling on a transport vessel. Luckily, the vast majority of the letters did survive. In fact, about one thousand letters written between May 1942 and May 1944 still exist today.

After the war, Gladys organized the letters. She sorted them into piles, tied up each bundle with string, and labeled each with the writer’s initials, RSY and GRY. She also included the month in which the letters were written. She packed them away in a box, and stored them in a closet. Many years later, she was cleaning house when her youngest son, David, was visiting. She told him to just put those silly old letters in the trash. Thankfully, David disregarded her instructions and took the letters home with him. Again, the letters were stowed away in a closet, until one day, when David’s daughter became obsessed with genealogy. The letters were packed up in box and shipped across the country. For the next decade, they remained in another closet. And then, finally, the letters came out of their box for the last time. Some of the letters were lost. For example, some of letters that Gladys wrote during the month of September 1942 were never delivered. Roscoe had just been assigned to a new post. Those letters were probably lost by the Post Office, misdirected by the Navy, or destroyed while traveling on a transport vessel. Luckily, the vast majority of the letters did survive. In fact, about one thousand letters written between May 1942 and May 1944 still exist today.

Don’t miss out! Enter the book giveaway here!

Slaughter House (Roscoe)

2 Replies

: September 23, 1943 envelope

: September 23, 1943, p. 1

: September 23, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Fran. Cal.
Sept. 23, 1943

Dear Mother,

I’m a little late in writing today but in plenty of time for the outgoing mail. I had to spend most of the morning at the Slaughter house inspecting the beef as the butchering was being done. It seems I’m getting to be more of a Jack of all trades more and more each day.

The date I see has a particular meaning since D. is at his first year. I’ll bet the boys are making a to do over his birthday and his Mother also. Even his dad is thinking about little D. a little more today than otherwise. I suppose by

[page 2] now he has the birthday present I sent him. I’m certain I can be nearer to him when his next birthday rolls around.

Our mail is a little slow again but it usually comes along so we just wait and then seemingly out of the blue a bunch come in. It’s been some time since I’ve written John & Mark but one of these days I’ll break down again.

Just repeating – I sent $250⁰⁰ on Sept. 16^th so if you haven’t received it let me know. I’ve kept all the numbers, etc.

Well, since I’m late I’d better stop and get this out.
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/2015/02/28/slaughter-house-roscoe/

First Birthday (Gladys)

1 Reply

: September 23, 1943 envelope

: September 23, 1943, p. 1

: September 23, 1943, p. 2

: September 23, 1943, p. 3

: September 23, 1943, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
Sept. 23 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

David’s birthday & party over. Lucile brought Jimmy Ed, Arlene Bobby & Donnie, Clarice & Myra Jane. The two older Zell girls, Jimmy Staton, a Mrs. Bowen & baby from Kent apts., Mark brought Tommy Britton home from school. We took pictures of the party then I took a picture of David by his cake. He put his hand in the icing just as I snapped the picture but in rolling the roll off it got off the track so part or all of the film may be ruined. Dorothy took some movies of David too. He received $15⁰⁰, a sailor doll, a cat, an elephant, four suits, four pr. sox, a pull toy with Donald Duck on it, dusting powder puffs & two cards. Zells’ wanted to pay the hospital bill when David was there but I said no, so they gave him $10⁰⁰. You sent $2⁰⁰, your Mother sent $1⁰⁰, Statons $1⁰⁰ & Mrs. Plummer $1⁰⁰ – I am going to buy him another bond with all his money. He seemed to enjoy his party very much. I hope the pictures are all good. He had a pretty nice birthday. I weighed him just before bedtime and as close as I could get it he weighed 21 lbs. & measure 30 in. He reaches over and plays with the scale and it’s a hard job to get it correct.

David sticking his finger in the cake icing

[page 2] He gets three meals a day now with a glass of milk in between. Breakfast about 8 0 orange juice at 9:30 or 10 – Dinner at 11:30 – Milk about 3:30 & supper at 7 – I started him on that schedule yesterday & he has done fine on it. It saves a lot of time not to give him that big meal at 3 in the afternoon. He goes to bed soon after supper. Sometimes he cries about it, but usually settles right down. He still sucks his left thumb but not much.

Glen went to Laf. today to see Mother. He says she is so weak she can hardly take a drink of water. I intend to go down Sat. afternoon. Glen thought if we could have taken her to Mayo they might have been able to do something for her. I told him they are just Drs. and with a case like hers I believe Cole is doing everything that can be done. Mother told your Mother she had not felt right for sometime – that I did not know. I knew she didn’t have as much pep when she came back in May but at her age I didn’t think so much about it. I know when Cole first saw her he didn’t think she had a malignancy but didn’t have x-ray done because of her bowel condition. Probably couldn’t have gotten any better x-ray then than they did later.

[page 3] I am at Zells. Mr. is out to a meeting & Mrs. wanted to go out & three girls are in bed. Mrs. Zell has always helped me out when I needed her so I thought I could sit here & write while they are gone. I left just in time to miss washing dishes. John had homework so Mark was to help. Glen is all chocked up this evening. He doesn’t know what to do about going home. He hates to leave now with Mother so low & is about out of money. I don’t believe I told you before what he had been doing – He was a bartender, but got a notice from his draft broad to get into essential work. They had enough saved for him to come on the train but he wanted to bring the family. He got gas to make the trip so that is how they all come. He of course intended to go back much sooner but as Mother isn’t getting any better hates to leave. I hate for him to go too. He says he has a job on the police force when he goes back. He should go because his asthma is beginning to bother him quite a lot. He has been telling tales about what he used to do when he was a kid – things that happened when I was too young to remember about them. He has an art to telling those things. I told him

Chicken Every Sunday

[page 4] they would make a good book and I believe you could write the book if you had the information. What gave me the idea – John was reading a book review from Reader’s Digest & I said I believe Glen’s tales would make better reading. The book I mentioned was “Chicken Every Sunday,” and the true story of a boarding house written by the daughter of the lady who had the boarding house. If you get a Sept. 1943 Digest you will read it.

Yours of Sept. 11 & 14 came today. I am still sending some v-mail, but not as much as air. I saw in the paper that Capt. Dye has returned to Hawaii. He was home for 10 days. That would be nice but I would rather wait a little longer and have you home longer.

Mrs. Plummer came out today to bring David’s birthday gift & John a belated $1⁰⁰ – She gave David a plate, cup, spoon & fork & $1⁰⁰ – I forgot to mention the set before. I hadn’t seen her since before Mother got down but I couldn’t go much of any place all summer.

Arlene is surely carrying this baby well – She doesn’t look any larger than she did several weeks ago or either her dress was clever enough to makes her look small. Donnie walks alone now & weighs 25 lbs. He really is a big boy.

Ruthie sent David the Navy doll so I must write & thank her.

“Love Mother”

P.S. Jim gave me $100⁰⁰ to help with Mother’s expenses.

September 23, 1943 Birthday guests

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/02/27/first-birthday-gladys/

Cold Beer (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: September 22, 1943 envelope

: September 22, 1943, p. 1

: September 22, 1943, p. 2

Sept. 22, 1943

Lieut. R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Fran C.

Dear Mother,

Your letter written Sept. 7 came yesterday. In it you told of Funk’s return and the difficulty you had of buying meat at Bair’s grocery with Fords’ being closed. It must be a problem to buy all those things with ration cards, etc. We often see gags in the magazine relative to rationing but we just can’t appreciate the jokes but maybe you can’t either but we don’t have the basis for understanding them.

Yesterday P.M. when everything was hot and I was as dry as powder one of my tent mates came in with a case of cold beer. I can tell you it was the biggest treat we have had in ages. Even turkey or fried chicken would not have been more appreciated. That is best understood if you can imagine drinking

[page 2] only warm water with ice water or cold water at a premium. So you see what the cold beer meant.

I have to go out and do a little inspecting again this A.M. It seems that job keeps me on the run most of the time and it does help pass the time rather rapid but it’s a little hard on the rear system since these jeeps don’t ride to easy. They may go places OK but one is bruised in places often getting there.

The trip is over and I’m not too bruised, and while at the General’s place another beer (cold) was offered and received.

Seems as if beer is about all I’ve written about but I do do other things as well as thing of other things.

Space is all used up so solong until tomorrow –
Love Daddy

P.S. Here is one more picture I forgot to mail.

Office of Emergency Management. c1943-1945. National Archives.

A Little Party (Gladys)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

MRS. R.S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
9-22-43

Dear Daddy – It was warm again today so we had David & James L. out in the yard quite a lot. I tried to get a picture of David’s curls but won’t know how they show up until I get the film developed. We didn’t go to the hospital today but Glen plans to go tomorrow. I want to have a little party of neighborhood children tomorrow after school so am not planning to go down. Dorothy has a movie film she is going to take. I have just one roll of film and can’t get any more so I am saving the rest of the roll (took one today) for later. David didn’t have a bottle today. Drinks his milk out of a cup now. I thought I would try him one day to see how he would get along and he didn’t seem to miss anything. I saw Irene this evening and said Mrs. J. has the flu. There seem to be a lot of colds, sore throats, etc., around now, but I believe it is due to the early cool weather. My throat feels good today but I am hoarse. After Dr. Ade treated me yesterday my throat hurt but I knew it would feel better today (I hoped it would). Your Mother sent David a dollar for his birthday. He should fare pretty well from all indications. I will bake him a cake for the rest of us to eat with ice cream. A new Reader’s Digest came and John is devouring it as usual. Mark is not doing much of anything. Glen has been painting the Taylor Tot & he is looking on. Glens are planning to go home the last of the week. I hate to see them go, but they must.

Love Mother

Native Patients (Roscoe)

3 Replies

: September 21, 1943 envelope

: September 21, 1943, p. 1

: September 21, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

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

Dear Mother,

8:30 A.M. and good and hot. We can noticeably tell that summer is arriving for the past 2 weeks have been definitely warmer and with much less rain than a month or two ago but I imagine the rain will begin again before long but that is only imagination.

Our native patients are responding real well to treatment and they seem to appreciate what we are doing for them but they are never in a hurry when we go there. We ask them to be there so it won’t take so long but each time it is the same. We treat one or two then have to wait for the others to appear. Many of the officers buy grass skirts and other articles of junk paying from 25¢ to $1.00 but to me it is all junk and dirty at that. I don’t think I’d want to send any of that stuff home after it had been fly specked from the sores and dirt of the villager. I guess you know me well enough

[page 2] to appreciate what I’ve been saying. In one of the pictures I sent you, you will note one white baby – It isn’t as bad as you are thinking. I know the story back of that but can’t reveal it at present.

So much for the natives – I mentioned something about imagination earlier in this letter and mine has been over worked in the past few weeks or months as to how you are getting along with your mother’s illness and with all the worry of the boys. I do feel that you are doing a good job as only you can do, and I look forward to getting the pictures of you as much as those of the boys because I want to keep check on how you are retaining your appearance and up to now I’ll say according to the pictures it has been pleasing. Keep it up Dear.

It’s considerable later now than when I started this letter so must get going
Love Daddy

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

Soup & Ice Cream (Gladys)

2 Replies

: September 21, 1943 envelope

: September 21, 1943, p. 1

: September 21, 1943, p. 2

: September 21, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
Sept. 21 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

Back from Laf. today. I talked to Dr. Cole. He said he quite giving Mother the Betalin shots because she wasn’t responding any. He talked to Baylee and B thought the ammonium nitrate would take that fluid down in her abdomen but Cole said he didn’t think it would help much. Baylee said to give insulin to make her eat so they are going that now. She gets weaker every day. So weak she can hardly feed herself, and today complained of pain in her bowels. The Dietitian came up to her room and asked her what she would like to eat – she had a nice supper tray and did eat some soup & ice cream but as soon as she started to eat complained of the gas bothering her. Glen & Pauline are talking of going home the end of the week. He has to get back to work and hates to leave here with Mother so bad. He got all the storm windows hung. There was a pane broken in the French doors & a basement window & he is going to fix them tomorrow. Also going to paint the

[page 2] Taylor Tot for David and do a few other odd jobs around. Pauline has cleaned all the upstairs, stairway & Nursery. She really cleans & never seems to know when to quit working. We have to wash at least one tub of clothes everyday and she hangs the thing out if it’s chilly because of my hands. I told them to take that old washing machine & the rug I had rolled up in the attic. Glen is going to see about shipping the washing machine & if the freight isn’t too much will send it. I think Bun Loughridge has forgotten he was supposed to take it because it has been here almost two years now or is it three? No guess two is correct. Bun hasn’t changed. I took the sweeper down and after two weeks or more went down and got it still not fixed. The band broke but I can still use it for suction.

My throat has been sore so went in to Dr. Ade today & had a treatment. I have been hacking & spitting all evening. Will go in for another treatment the next time I go down if it persists in being sore. I told him I didn’t like starting in the fall with a sore throat but I believe the strep I had last winter left my throat in a weakened condition. Dr. Ade wanted me to take sulfa but I told him I am allergic to it and having had such a severe attack of allergy so recently am afraid to try sulfa now. Maybe when you come home & if necessary I can have tonsils out but

[page 3] will try to get by without that little “ectomy.”

I mailed a letter in Laf. today I wrote last night, with two pictures. I am enclosing two more in this letter.

Dorothy couldn’t go shopping for David’s birthday gift so had me buy something for him. I got him a pr. of red corduroy overalls and a red & white t-shirt. He has his red snow suit jacket so will be a red bird with all those things on. He trys to say John. He really attracts attention wherever I take him. He turns on the personality and has everyone looking at him – or is his Mother just imagining things? Yesterday Glen went to town with me & we took D. along. We went into Nick’s and David got a lot of attention. Glen said something about the fuss everyone made over David.

John & Mark went to a football game tonite & Mt. Ayre won. John is still having headaches & Van Buskirk says his glasses are correct. I wonder if his age hasn’t something to do with his headaches. His face is a sight – worse with pimples & blackheads than ever.

It’s past 10:30 so I must get to bed. David has a habit of waking around 7 so if I don’t get to bed in time to get my sleep out by 7 a.m. I just miss it.

Love Mother