Tag Archives: Gladys R. (Foster) Yegerlehner

Senator Van Nuys (Gladys)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
1-26-44 [sic 1-25-44]

Dear Daddy –

Yours of Jan. 13 & 14 came today. So glad some late mail finally reached you. Now if David’s pictures just come thru. He is still on the sick list – that is he still coughs and that makes him feel not so good. He isn’t running any tem. But coughs a good bit. Early in the morning he has quite a siege. I think I’ll have Dr. M. give him a shot – he had his whooping cough shots last summer but one now may clear this cough up. I could have gone to Laf. today with Mr. Z. but didn’t want to leave D. while he feels so touchy. He has such a good reputation for being such a pleasant baby I wouldn’t want to spoil his record by leaving him with anyone while he feels this way. Dorothy would keep him and her Mother is with her now but I think I should keep him home another day or two. I think this cough is a culmination of a condition that has been present since before Christmas. He had a cold way back then and has had a hang on cough ever since. He seems to be alright otherwise.

I went to town to mail letters and get groc. after school yesterday and stopped in the restaurant to tell Dorothy I wouldn’t go today. Pinky and Marg were there. Pinky was on the funny side. I think he had been drinking a little. He said when you were in Frisco he waited two months for you to come and see him. I told him you were there one week and that you couldn’t go see anyone. He wouldn’t have it that way and kept going on about not seeing you. He said if he had known you were at Moffett Field he could have flown over to see you. Marg didn’t seem to think so but he insisted. I don’t know just what happened to him,

[page 2] but I was told that he had been grounded because he smashed up a $75,000 job – at any rate whatever the truth of the situation he doesn’t seem to be getting places very fast. He has a desk job now – at least that is what I heard. Marg stayed out in Calif. with him then I think they were in Colo. But since he has been closer home she has remained here, tho she doesn’t see him very often. It may be that she feels she should stay here and help her mother run the newspaper. She has quite a nice column in the paper every week for service people.

The new license application came so now I will get the car tagged for another year. They were late in getting the blanks out this year. I saw a notice in the paper that some may be delayed yet. I was surprised to get ours this soon.

I have a washing going today, should have put the line out and hung things out but I resorted to the easier way. I figured it probably wouldn’t be this warm the next time I wash and what good would one day do. Sometimes the things get covered with smoke from the trains across the way so they look better when dried in the basement than out of doors.

Dr. Messman talked to Dorothy yesterday. He said to tell you he has been discharged – nervous condition – I didn’t talk to him myself so don’t know just where he has been or what brought about the condition necessary for a medical discharge but maybe you know something about it. Those things get around and I know when I wrote to you about Dr. H.in Laf. you knew something about it. I am glad you are in good health. As much as we want you home, I would rather you stay well than have to be sent home sick – don’t you agree?

[page 3] Mr. Z. took my glasses to Laf. to get the left lense replaced so I am going without them today. I just hope I don’t get a headache, but have been having one some days anyway so maybe it won’t be so bad if I don’t knit or read. I probably won’t have much chance to do either. David keeps me pretty busy these days. I left him with John when I went to town yesterday and John was about worn out trying to keep him quiet. He said he finally just walked around with him – carrying D. of course – I told him D. would get over that when he feels a little better –

The temp in Chi this am at 7:30 was 49 – so you know how unseasonably warm it is. It is more like a spring day – windy, sunny and sometimes a little cloudy.

I hear the washer – it’s about ready to stop, so I much stop and get things done. I put D. up in his bed while I went down to put the things in and he went to sleep. Have to make hay while the sun shines.

Love Mother

P.S. Heard over the radio at noon that Senator Van Nuys died suddenly this morning.
It is warmer this afternoon but didn’t take D. out. Thought maybe I should keep him in out of the wind. He is full of pep this afternoon. I have him in the nursery. He has a box of toys I can hear him dumping.

Senator Frederick VanNuys

Senator Frederick Van Nuys

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/10/29/senator-van-nuys-gladys/

Heavy Exercise (Roscoe)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Jan. 24, 1944

Dear Mother,

I’m writing just a little before mail time today so I really have hope. It really is time for mail to be coming for it has been some time now since late mail arrived.

The rain finally ended and it is real pleasant out today. The sun is so nice & warm and there is a fine breeze – just like a day in June at home – not too hot. Seems like one should be making garden and planting corn but so far I have seen no corn. I think it’s grown in New Zealand but I haven’t been around enough to see any.

I see some of the boys coming

[page 2] back from playing tennis and some from Golf. I had a little exercise out in our back yard – just throwing an indoor baseball around. I’m still not a believer in heavy exercise for an old man. What am I saying? Was that me I meant? Anyway I don’t like too much heavy exercise. Lentz is playing Golf with a few of the younger boys but I haven’t started as yet. Gold Balls are a little too hard to get and me being practically a beginner would find myself playing without a ball before the game would be over.

I’ll write more later, possibly some mail will arrive I hope.

Your air mail of 5 & 6 of Jan. came and the v-mail of Jan. 11 so I didn’t do

[page 3] too badly. I’ll reread your letters tomorrow and give some comment and answer a few questions, but right now I’ll try to finish with what I remember with one reading. You said something about D.’s pictures being printed in the Democrat. Was there others? You, I believe, said he was the only one with a Daddy overseas. Maybe I’d better reread before I make any further comment.

I remember also you wrote something about the wedding of which I told you I attended. You said it sounded simple and your comment was that that was all that was necessary as far as weddings go and that a simple wedding was all that was

[page 4] necessary if other things kept going along – or something to that affect. How right you are and believe me you are still correct. So don’t worry as I know you aren’t. Anyway who would care about an old fuddy duddy like me when there are is younger and much more desirous company. OK let’s stop all that stuff.

Our water was cold this eve so I’m just stinking for another day for I’m not taking a cold bath in this climate unless of course it runs over too long a period of time.

Well Dear So Long
Love Daddy

New_Zealand_Cities

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/10/28/heavy-exercise-roscoe/

Joke Box (Gladys)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
1-24-44

Dear Daddy –

Yours of Jan. 5 & 12 came today. So glad you rec’d the box but I sent two so maybe you will get another one yet. – It was similar to the other – not much in either but better than nothing at Christmas, however late. Now about those chasers, etc. – Those were John’s idea of a joke. I told him what you wrote about them and he said to tell you it was only for a laugh. They were in the box from the boys. The box I sent didn’t have any in it. David is better – No measles, etc., but he still coughs. Dr. M. was out to see Martha Zell so I asked him to see D. again. He says his cough is bronchial and if it doesn’t ease up in a few days he will give him a whooping cough shot. I am still giving him sulfamerazine today and to give it to him tomorrow – just twice a day. David is somewhat spoiled from this cough. At first when he had temp. we kept him on the couch and entertained him and now he wants me to hold him most of the time he is awake. He is in his bed now and should be going to sleep but is watching a train go by. When J. & M. come home noon and evening they have to let David take their caps off. He puts the cap on his head then expects us to applaud. He is very conscious of his “public” and knows when to act cute. Dr. M. said to give you his regards and to write to him. He has been out several times during this winter to see D. – twice this time.

There is a music club meeting today but I am not going due to David’s “disposition.”

[page 2] He is a little “touchy” and I don’t like leaving him when he feels this way. However I have a change to go to Laf. tomorrow and would like to go for several items. Dorothy’s mother is here visiting and she said they would keep him for me. It all depends on how he feels by tomorrow. Dorothy is home from 11 a.m. till 3 p.m. and that would cover most of my time away. Mrs. Z. had planned to go tomorrow but Martha has a cold and she can’t leave her or take her along.

Had a card from Uncle Wes. They are in Fla. He wants your address so he can write to you. His address is 103 Osceola Ave Clearwater Fla. In case you want to write to him before he writes to you. I am sending him your address today.

It isn’t cold today but cloudy – I am glad for the warmer days. It’s kinder to the coal. The good coal is getting low and no more to be had I am afraid, but maybe we can get along with the other by spring – but I know the pins broken in one month by the Ind. coal.

My Christmas cactus is about as late as your boxes. It is just blooming – but doing better than last year – it didn’t bloom at all.

I just had a “round” with D. I had put him to bed without anything on but pants & shirt but he wouldn’t go to sleep – so I dressed him and put him back in bed. I don’t like for him to cry because it makes him cough so I can see he is going to be a little spoiled by the time this cough is gone. I took his temp. when I dressed him and it’s normal, so he should be in the pink in a day or so, if we can do something to relieve the cough. He certainly doesn’t act like there is much wrong with him, the pep he has.

[page 3] Here’s hoping you do get home at the end of your 18 mo. but if not the only thing to do is be patient – It certainly will be grand when you do get home.

“Love Mother”

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/10/27/joke-box-gladys/

Sniffling Sunday (Gladys)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

1-23-44

Dear Daddy – Sun. P.M. Have been indoors all day – David didn’t have any temp. today and felt pretty good. Still coughs some but no sign of breaking out with measles. Must have been irritation from his diaper. It was so nice out today I wanted to go out with him. I stood him in the doorway and took some pictures, this being his 16th month – Lucile came out with Jimmy, but didn’t bring him in – just stopped to see about D. She was taking J.E. for his airing. He is fully recovered from his attack of flu. David

[page 2] must have had bronchitis (sp?). That’s what Dr. M. said. John was sniffling this a.m. so he didn’t go out either. I gave him rhinitis all day & he went to bed early. Mark spent the afternoon with Buddy and they came out this evening. Buddy just went home. Dorothy was out early this afternoon to see David. She said Link told Nick the last Dr. in Chi. She consulted told them her ailment was all in her mind. Said she probably had someone in their family somewhere she takes after. Link said she has one such aunt. Mrs. James said one time Irene is like her aunt.

[page 3] I have knitted today and now have a headache from too much. Also my glasses need to be straightened. I want to go to Laf. Tues. with Zells and go have my glasses fixed. David broke one lense – I mended it with airplane glue but it is not straight.

Zells are getting more chickens. They sold off the last batch, cleaned out the brooder house and now ready for more.

Virginia spent the afternoon here helping me entertain David. I think he was tired watching J. & M. build block towers – He seemed to enjoy

[page 4] Virginia’s for a change.

Mark is begging to sleep with me tonight. He got that habit way back when, I really can’t put my finger on the exact date but sometime last summer. I think it all started when he had his tonsils out. Last night I put D. in our bed because he was so restless and coughed a lot, I knew I would have to be up all night trying to keep him covered, so to save the getting up & down, didn’t put him in his own bed. I didn’t sleep much so am going to turn in now & try to catch up.

Love Mother

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/10/26/sniffling-sunday-gladys/

Gold Brick (Roscoe)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4
Navy 13
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
1-22-44

Dear Mother,

Sat. P.M. and things more or less on the lazy order. We are still having a slight, fine rain and of course the coldness that goes along with the rain.

I must tell you about the gold brick I bought this morning – a watch. I had gotten along without one for so long but still missed one very much. One of the patients went into town and when he came back had one which he bought for on  5 pounds so I thought if he could get me one for the same it would be OK. That amounts to something around $17.25. I may have gotten stung and it may be a bargain. The only name on it or indication as to the make is that it is Swiss

[page 2] made. It seems to be gaining a little but I can probably get that regulated. Watches are very hard to obtain around here. In fact this is the first time I’ve heard of any for sale.

This is Sat. as you note from the date and I said that at first so don’t know if I’ll mail this today or just combine this & tomorrow’s – depends upon how much I can think of today. It isn’t mail time as yet so don’t know if there will be anything to comment upon or not.

I was able to do Joe R. a good turn the other day. He sent his glasses down with another fellow to have fixed so and he couldn’t go into town with them so I made a quick dash in with them. The other fellow got them, paid the bill and sent

[page 3] them on. Well I’m going to stop this and see if there is any mail later this P.M. and then I’ll decide whether or not to mail it or wait until tomorrow.

Sun. No mail on Sat. and I didn’t mail this as you know. The rain of the past few days has slowed down. In fact I don’t believe we had any rain today unless it was a mere sprinkle early this A.M. but it has been cool. Right now I have the radiator turned on full blast and it isn’t bad.

My watch has been running now for better than 24 hours and seems to be doing OK but that doesn’t mean a thing. I still hope I didn’t buy a gold brick but I have my fingers crossed.

This being Sunday I’ll have to

[page 4] write the folk but I don’t have the slightest idea of what I might write. It seems I have trouble writing to them as well as other folk. However I never have trouble writing you. I mean I always get something written and really I enjoy it but more than to you seems the darndest burden.

Well it’s getting into the evening so I’d better stop this and get going on the letter to the folks, and may I say lots of Love
From Daddy

New_Zealand_Cities

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/10/25/gold-brick-roscoe/

Early Valentine (Gladys)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

1-22-44

Dear Daddy – Will just slip a note in with my valentine. It is Sat. P.M. David has been a little cross today. Thurs. he had a temp. Yesterday it was gone but came up again today. I had Dr. M. come out. He examined him and said he has bronchitis. However it may be measles. There are measles around again. Where he could have been exposed to them I don’t know but there are some cases in town. He coughs and I thought I detected a redness like the measles start to break out on his tummy – I just took his temp. and he has 100° rectally which of course is 99 and that isn’t much. We have been keeping him on the couch and that requires someone to stay with him all the time. He seems to feel better now, just had a good nap. Dr M. had a v-mail from Earl R. somewhere in England. He was pretty despondent in his letter. Has been ill and in the hospital. I am inclined to believe he hasn’t the stamina of Joe, or you. I thought his letter sounded like a cry of self pity. Maybe I shouldn’t say that but knowing how long you and Joe have been away and keep your chins up – Well, I think you have the better attitude. Of course you haven’t been ill or hospitalized and that could make a difference.

It is a grey wintry day but not cold. J. & M. have been in all day due to David needing attention. I think D. will be better by tomorrow. Dr. M. ordered sulfamerazine for him and if he doesn’t have measles the sulfa should clear up any infection.

J. & M. have to carry out clinkers so I will have to go see about D. Geo. Monroe came out yesterday and oiled the stoker – He does every 60 days.

Love – Mother

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/10/22/early-valentine-gladys/ ‎

I Know I’m Nuts (Roscoe)

2 Replies

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4
Navy 133
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Jan. 21, 1944

Dear Mother,

The weather again comes in for the well known beating. It is or rather has been raining most of the time since I wrote yesterday, and it has been rather cold not to – if you don’t have to be out too much but I haven’t been out much just between ward & mess hall and back and forth, etc. I rather enjoy the rain – gives one a real reason to gripe and we always feel better when in that mood. Just by way of example – You remember Mead Johnson sent the vitamins. Well I didn’t take them because I was afraid I’d feel too good and

[page 2] therefore would have nothing to complain about and then I’d feel worse. Figure all that out and you probably will have something to complain about or possibly you have something to complain about because I’d write such stuff – Don’t worry that I might be ready for the bughouse because for lack of better subject matter I’m making poor conversation but I need not write you how poor it is because you have probably guessed it by now.

It sure is funny what one will think while just sitting trying to think of subject matter – Just now a little bird flew by and I wondered if birds ever have diarrhea or sore throats

[page 3] and what they do about if it if so. That last was off the record also. Up to the time that bird flew past I thought I was thru with the nonsense.

This is before mail time and I still have hopes. That picture of D. hasn’t come and I’m real anxious about it for you wrote so highly of it.

Later. The mail came and your v-mail of Dec. 21 and a v-mail from Brewer’s of Jan. 1. Again you wrote of D.’s pictures and I’m gradually getting all the dope on Virginia Zell. I think I now have the whole story – of course that is no fault of yours – It just the way the mail happens to come.

I think I forgot to tell you – yesterday a Christmas greeting came from Sinda Steiner – That

[page 4] was really a surprise. It was postmarked Berne, Ind. and I can’t make out the connection. The folks have said nothing about her being away from home.

I know I’m nuts but it is now 1225 and I’m still not sleepy and it goes that way every night. Seems as if the show, and Acey Ducey game, a bull session and always late to bed – Tonight it was Lentz, last night someone else, but what the ____ What else is there to do? So why not, we used to have fun with the nips and now with friends so what!

Love
Daddy

New_Zealand_Cities

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/10/21/i-know-im-nuts-roscoe/

Mystery Temperature (Gladys)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

Kentland, Ind.
1-21-44

Dear Daddy –

Yours of Jan. 6, 7, 8, & 11 came today. In fact I just finished reading them and thought I would answer while things are fresh in my mind. About that tax $6.60 – that was the first quarter last year gross – I quit paying after that. I talked to Agnes a few days ago and she told me not to file even Federal, so will just let it ride. Our present bank bal. is around $70.oo but all bills are paid. The first of Feb. the income will take care of ins. due (J., M. & D.) and current bills and we should have a good bal. Maybe enough for a bond. David got enough Christmas money to get a new bond. I think J. or M. will get it at school to give their school credit during the present Bond drive.

David flared up with a temp. yesterday but now it is gone. He has had a hang-on cough from the flue he had following our visit to Mutchlers and he coughs more now. He had a temp. all night.

[page 2] I put him in bed with me because I figured he would be restless. He had 101 2/5 rectally about 7 A.M. but now 9:45 he is normal. I have him established on the studio couch with a cover over him and toys around him which he keeps throwing on the floor. He doesn’t feel too bad because he laughs & plays. I put his house slippers on him. He pulled them and his sox off, but his feet & legs are covered with the spread. He ate a pretty good breakfast and had two B.M.’s on the toidey. I called the Dr. and talked to him about D. He told me to give him the same pills I gave him when he had the flu. I was going to ask him to come out but he seems so much better I don’t think it is necessary. However, I will watch his temp. closely and if it starts to rise will talk to the Dr. I can’t understand this. D. seemed perfectly well, I had been taking him out of doors, every day, then yesterday he shoots up a temp. and today it’s gone. I am glad it is but would like to know the cause.

Tell Bud Mulligan his aunt came to see me yesterday. She is staying at Zeva Simmons. Zeva works for Mrs. Knowlton.

[page 3] You remember her, don’t you? Jimmy’s mother. I don’t know where Jimmy is now, but Zeva had been to see his wife and daughter not long ago.

I heard that Link quite the stone quarry and is working at the factory. Irene is in the hospital yet – as I understand is taking a rest cure. I wonder when her mother will get to take a vacation – but guess that is none of my business.

It is warmer out today and the sun is shining. I have washing to do and should hang it out but when the trains over by 24 go past they throw out such a smoke screen the clothes have tattle tale grey when they are dry, so the basement is the safest place after all.

The Newton Co. E. is running pictures of service men and they have Art Kenny’s in this week – He is wearing the sailor uniform he had when he entered the service – you know he is now in the Marines – well to say the least the picture isn’t flattering – I wanted to laugh when I first saw it.

I told you in a v-mail about Tommy Britton’s mother calling me. She said Tommy told them you had called from

[page 4] San F. and was on your way home. I told her he was mistaken. He said Mark had told him. I know Mark doesn’t tell things like that. He was so mad when I told him what Tommy had said. He vowed very strongly he hadn’t told Tommy anything like that. Virginia admitted that Tommy told such tall tales they didn’t know when to believe him. I told her I only wished it were true.

J. & M. got their report cards so they should write you and give you their own reports – I gave them in previous letters but think they should write too.

There was a bulletin from the A.M.A. on socialized medicine. John read it over and is going to take it to school. I don’t know that I ever talked to him on the subject, but he was very strong in his opinion about such a thing. He thinks like the A.M.A. – it shouldn’t be.

I have put D. in his bed with toys to amuse him while I go start the washing and he is throwing things on the floor, and enjoying it.

“Love Mother”

P.S. Saw Irene after writing this so her rest cure must be over.

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/10/20/mystery-temperature-gladys/

Monthly Update – October

2 Replies

This time of year is always my busy season. However, the season is almost over and I can definitely see the end in the near future. I am starting to look towards my backlog of writing and genealogy projects. My first (and most major) project will be preparing the second volume of WWII letters for publication. I estimate that the second volume will be published in the late Winter or early Spring of 2016.

Dear Mother, Love Daddy coverDear Mother, Love Daddy

Book sales have been slow and steady over the last month. But of course, as the author, I would love to see more copies sold. On Amazon, the book has 8 five star reviews. If you have read the book, I encourage you to post a review. These help to increase the book’s ranking as well as its visibility by Amazon.

In late September, genealogist Gena Philibert-Ortega posted a review and a Q & A session with me on her blog. Please check out Gena’s blog after you have read the review and interview. As well as being an expert in newspaper research and women’s history, Gena also studies genealogy and social history using cook books.

I currently have a stock of books to sell. Please contact me through the link at the top of the website if you would like an autographed copy of the book. Copies are also available for sale on Amazon using the link on the sidebar.

Genealogy Program Why GenealogySacramento Library

My presentation Why Genealogy? at the Franklin branch of the Sacramento library in late September was wonderful. The audience was very receptive and they asked lots of great questions. Several attendees booked time with me the following weekend during my regular monthly genealogy appointments. As a result, I was overbooked!

At this point, I have volunteered to do two more presentations in the Winter/Spring of 2016. In January, I will present a lecture on the basics of genetic genealogy and integrating DNA with traditional genealogy research. My presentation in April will be about preserving and sharing documents with family members and for future generations.

If you wish to sign up for a free genealogy session with me, contact the Franklin branch of the library to book an appointment. My next session is this coming Saturday – October 24th.

Genealogy Roadshow - Dan & SueDiscovering Your Past

It has been a busy month behind the scenes for Dan and Sue. Between working on the research plan I helped Sue create in episode 2, and an amazing discovery on Sue’s part regarding her French Canadian roots, there will be lots of material to cover in episode 3. Let’s just say that after I watched the Tom Bergeron episode of Who Do You Think You Are?, I predicted that Sue and Tom would have some things in common in their ancestry. Sue wasn’t actively researching this side of her family since she was looking for her Noble family in Portsmouth, but after Dan and Sue participated in the Genealogy Roadshow in Providence, she became inspired to learn more about her French Canadian ancestry. At this point, I am not exactly sure when the next episode of Discovering Your Past will premiere, but in the meantime, feel free to catch up on episodes 1 & 2, if you haven’t already.

Fashion Moments by Deborah SweeneyFashion Moments

My weekly Fashion Moments posts are going well. I am consistently receiving many views and great feedback from readers. There are now nineteen posts in this series which cover a range of topics from different types of sleeves and shirts to some well-known designers. I am always looking for new topics to write about so if you have a fashion question, please comment below or send me a private message via the contact form. Several questions have turned into blog posts at this point. Will your question be next?

To find previous Fashion Moment posts, click on the blog tab above and find the sub-tab titled Fashion Moments. I also have a board on Pinterest with links to all the past posts.

In case anyone is wondering, the photograph that I use in my Fashion Moments’ graphic is from my private collection. It is an ambrotype photograph. This type of image was popular between 1854 and 1865. I believe the photograph to be Averick Estelle (Kelley) Boden, my three times great grandmother. She was married in 1864 which would be consistent with both the type of photograph and the fashion she was wearing. I have another photograph of her taken in the late 1880s or 1890s, and even though there is a large time gap between the two photopgraphs, I am reasonably certain that the above photograph is Averick. She was a descendant of Mayflower passengers John Alden, Priscilla Mullins, Myles Standish and Richard Warren.

Personal Research

Since I  have been so busy at school this last month, I have not done much of my own research. I have been thoroughly enjoying the adventures of my friend Sue as she has made one amazing discovery after another.

Joseph & Cassandria, photograph provided by a long lost cousin, circa 1860s (If you are the owner of this photograph, please contact me so I may provide proper attribution.)

Joseph & Cassandra Lawhead, photograph provided by a long lost cousin (unknown), circa 1860s

The best part of my own research this month has been connecting with a distant cousin on the Lawhead side of my family. She still lives in the area of southwestern Indiana where my three times great grandmother, Cassandra V. (Harding) Lawhead, resided at the end of her life. My cousin was able to access the local newspapers and find Cassandra’s brief obituary.

My dad recently unearthed some more documents to add to the Yegerlehner WWII project. He found some of the missing letters! These particular letters were more meaningful so they had been pulled out of the collection. Some of the letters include the one my grandmother wrote from the hospital after my father was born, describing the events leading up to his birth, and a letter written by my grandfather to my father in honor of his first birthday in 1943.

©2015 Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/10/19/monthly-update-october/

A Rainy Spell (Roscoe)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4
Navy 133
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Jan. 20, 1944

Dear Mother,

We seem to have gotten into a rainy spell but it sure is good to see it rain – The grass even now looks lots greener than it did just two days ago. One is not as comfortable during weather like this as when the bright sun is shining but it has its compensation otherwise.

This A.M. I censored a Red Cross worker’s letter and she evidently hadn’t been here long for she wrote 13 pages. All about the country and as much description as she could and not be telling. She would have been far wiser had she cut that into several smaller letters because the next time she is

[page 2] going to find it terribly difficult to get subject matter but then maybe she doesn’t write every day. I think I had included every one of here her topics but in numerous letters.

Even on a cloudy day the scenery around here is pretty nice. The shifting mist presents changing pictures as it slides along the green background of treels trees on the mountain sides. Ever so often a sea gull flies along and just seems to vanish as its body either blends with the mist or the green or both. A little farther along the entire mountain is obliterated by the mist or low hanging clouds.

[page 3] Between the mountain and the me there is a river which can be seen only in spots due to the heavy growth of trees and parallel with the river spots of the road can be seen also. From my description I know you must have a picture so clear that you can hear someone standing by saying “too right,” meaning “that is good” or some such other common New Zealand phrase.

This whole country – what I’ve seen of it is really pretty but not my kind of country. I’m willing to let the Indians have the place, possibly I should have said the Maoris for they were to New Zealand as the Indians were to us. I believe they are

[page 4] accepted into society here a little more readily than either the Indians or colored people are at home. However, marriage between a white and a Maori is not considered the best in the world as far as society is concerned.

There are not classes here as in England or at least I have heard about them. I don’t believe there are many rich people and I’m pretty sure there are no very poor. They have state medicine and the people & Drs. neither one think much of the system –

Well, I’ve rambled lots –
Lots of Love
Daddy

New_Zealand_Cities

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/10/19/a-rainy-spell-roscoe/ ‎