25th Anniversary

It doesn’t surprise me that I would think of my wedding day even though I am not in that relationship anymore. It was a two decade relationship and will be a lasting impression on my soul and spirit.

Terror and Raids: WWII War Bride (Excerpt III)

The German soldier was on the left side whom received this war bride’s letters.

Sitting down slowly, the war bride dreamt of happier times. As she pulled out her pencil and paper from her desk, she felt herself lifting out of a fog. Perhaps it was for only a few minutes, but the letter writing allowed her to escape reality. It was so difficult tending to all aspects of running a household without her husband and father of her children present. Yet, she did it without complaining.
The process of pen to paper allowed her to feel her husband and to sense his presence. He was right by her side. Even if only for a short time it took to write the letter. The war bride needed this outlet. It was all she had.
The paper was placed on the table neatly. Pressed by her hands each fine sheet was straighten out. This gesture was done lovingly as if she were touching her husband’s own face with a tenderness that at times she was beginning to forget all too soon although never to admit out loud.

This excerpt was taken from January 19, 1942 in Potsdam. You can begin to catch a glimpse of some alarming events as the war bride moved to be near family as she was about to give birth to her second child.

(Historical facts about this time frame in the war was that the Germans were starting to deport Jews to concentration camps. Extermination of the captured was to follow rapidly. Also the first American forces were beginning to arrive in Europe on the Northern Ireland shores).

“My dearest Willy! Saturday I received your letter #4, that was my greatest Sunday pleasure. In your last letter you had several wishes….partly already taken care of. I have been able to get the soap holder with cover and for your shaving soap. A can opener and pocket calendar is yet to be found, but I think I can get a calendar tomorrow or day after. I cannot get Rosodont at all, we have not been able to get toothpaste for a long time. Knitted gloves I was able to find, but I cannot send any packages right now. Everything is blocked again, nothing goes through…”

In another section of this letter, “… . But since two days ago the trains were all blocked again. But maybe that only affects transport trains. Willy, listen, we have already used 51 P. from your small card. For 1 nightgown,30, and 21 for Opa’s pullover. If you need more later, we can use Opa’s allotment card for purchases. His P’s are usable only after February. Your allotment was 80, total. You bought boots? That is very important, it would be unthinkable if your feet would freeze…..”

In a final section we read, “….. Last night was Terror attack in Frankfurt. It was awesome outside, everything was lit up like daylight. But nothing happened here….I hope that times will change for the better soon and that you can come home to your family….”

Genealogy on Tour: A Unique Perspective

As a military brat in the ARMY,  I never lived near my extended family for very long. It came with the territory when I was born. Dad was a Command Sargent Major and where ever the government said for him to go we went. When he retired though it was indeed a sad affair for myself.  I remember leaving Hawaii and looking out the back window of our VW waving goodbye to my best friends Ricky and Sandy.  They waved back looking just as sad as my sister and I.  Perhaps it was in this lifestyle of moving alot, I learned a different perspective of life.

Introspection was indeed another matter.  I had never been one to reexamine myself inwardly as much.  I seemed to define myself through my parents as a child growing up which I believe is natural.  However,  when I thought about how my parents defined themselves things became abit more dicey.  For example, my mother is German/Swiss, but she had no idea past her grandmother of her family heritage.  My Dad’s family roots were abit more defined but with many loopholes in his Irish/English heritage.  My husband’s dad and mom both seemed like they knew very little details also.  So in steps me with all the new fangled technology,  www.ancestry.com , library card, and cemeteries and SHAZAM a genealogist novice I have become!

Does all this matter? I think so and I will say it has been tons of fun.  I feel like I have a better take on history. I also believe in some way (mind you maybe this part is a fantasy) that the WORLD could be a better place if we understood each other better and realize we all were at one point intersecting from the same plane.  For example, this story is about the evolution of a woman and really a picture of why womens’ rights were so important: https://alesiablogs.wordpress.com/2012/09/14/pioneer-woman/

Here also are photos I came across from my research that have much meaning to me as they made the past come to life for me.  I usually like to tell you what kind of camera was used with my photography but I did not take these.  I can only say they were very old ones! Enjoy:

A photo found from a google search I did. A lady had put an annoucement on a research site that she had a photo of my husband’s grandpa (right) and her grandpa. It was an amazing find as no one had ever seen this photo before.  circa 1920.

Cousins from my father’s side. circa 1930’s.

Late 1800’s Photo. My 90 year old step dad’s grandpa

My maternal grandma second on the right. circa 1920’s.

My husband’s great uncle. circa 1900~

My husband’s Maternal side. Photo taken circa ~ 1910.