FAMILY LETTERS – A FORM OF HISTORY

So often we throw out letters we receive from family and friends. (If we even them instead of texts these days!) How can we keep everything?

However, the importance of letters in compiling a family history and making ancestors come alive was brought to my attention when I discovered letters my great great grandmother wrote. These were tucked away midst memorabilia in an old trunk. I’ve also found other letters from ancestors kept by my grandmother and my mom. Some were from my great, great uncles in the Civil War and uncles in WWI and WWII.

As I read these messages, I’ve learned more about these people who had been simply names and date on the family tree.

I discovered letters my grandmother wrote to me when I was a child. Every Sunday and Wednesday evening, Nanny wrote to her friends and family. When I visited her, I learned the rudiments of letter writing as we sat at the kitchen table after supper and penned notes about events of the day.

My daughter and I have been organizing family photos and documents and find other family members asking for information when they learn what we’re doing.

Mother’s Letters Filled With Humor

I didn’t keep all my mom’s letters to me because my husband and I have moved around quite a bit. However, I often jotted down excerpts from them into a journal. Recently I came across this and discovered the humor in her writings. I’m compiling these, along with her diary entries, into a booklet for her family.

These are fun to share with my daughter and grandchildren and give them insight into the person they remember mainly as an old lady disabled by Alzheimer’s. She comes alive to them as a vibrant woman with sense of humor.

Keep Your Letters

So keep, as much as you can, see if you can obtain copies of letters other family members may have. These provide a fascinating record of your family history. You often may find food ideas and recipes mentioned.

HAMBURGER STROGANOFF is quick and easy, as well as being a family recipe. Brown 1 pound ground beef or turkey and 1/2 diced onion. Add 1 can cream of mushroom soup and simmer at least 10 minutes. Just before serving, add 3/4-cup sour cream.

Serve over mashed potatoes, noodles, biscuits or rice.

(c) Mary Emma Allen

(Mary Emma Allen researches and writes about family history from her New Hampshire home.)