Letter #11: Valentine's Day

Letter #11: Valentine's Day

I'm continuing my series of scanning, transcribing, and annotating my grandfather's love letters to my grandmother leading up to their marriage in June 1940. The letters are chronologically organized and preserved, using the methods I discuss in detail in my book, Creating Family Archives: How to Preserve Your Papers and Photographs

In the 11th letter in the series, Grandma and Grandpa celebrate Valentine's Day. He sent flowers, and she sent a card, probably similar in style to this card. 

 

Letter #10: How Proud I Felt

Letter #10: How Proud I Felt

I'm continuing my series of scanning, transcribing, and annotating my grandfather's love letters to my grandmother leading up to their marriage in June 1940. The letters are chronologically organized and preserved, using the methods I discuss in detail in my book, Creating Family Archives: How to Preserve Your Papers and Photographs

I can't believe we're already at the 10th letter so far! In this letter, Grandpa returns home from a weekend in Paterson, NJ. He originally was going to return on Monday, but came home on Sunday instead. His friend Fred (I'm assuming from the neighborhood) has come to Scranton to work in the factory too.

 

Letter #9: The Fondest Expectation

Letter #9: The Fondest Expectation

I'm continuing my series of scanning, transcribing, and annotating my grandfather's love letters to my grandmother leading up to their marriage in June 1940. The letters are chronologically organized and preserved, using the methods I discuss in detail in my book, Creating Family Archives: How to Preserve Your Papers and Photographs

In the ninth letter in the series, Grandpa apologizes for not visiting the weekend before, and believes that he'll be able to come home for the weekend if his cold clears up. 

 

 

Letter #8: Very Truly Yours

Letter #8: Very Truly Yours

I'm continuing my series of scanning, transcribing, and annotating my grandfather's love letters to my grandmother leading up to their marriage in June 1940. The letters are chronologically organized and preserved, using the methods I discuss in detail in my book, Creating Family Archives: How to Preserve Your Papers and Photographs

In the eighth letter in this series, Grandpa seems like he's making up for not coming home the previous weekend. It's the first four-page letter in the series, and he discusses what he did while he stayed in town.

 

 

Letter #7: Your Ever Faithful Sweetheart

Letter #7: Your Ever Faithful Sweetheart

I'm continuing my series of scanning, transcribing, and annotating my grandfather's love letters to my grandmother leading up to their marriage in June 1940. The letters are chronologically organized and preserved, using the methods I discuss in detail in my book, Creating Family Archives: How to Preserve Your Papers and Photographs

The seventh letter in this series raises many questions. Why is Otto's paycheck so secretive? Why is it coming from New York? Who was Charles (Grandpa's brother) visiting on Butter Street? What are the other things Grandpa will do once he gets home? Most importantly, will Ray and Otto come home for the weekend or not?!

 

Letter #6: We Belong to Each Other

Letter #6: We Belong to Each Other

I'm continuing my series of scanning, transcribing, and annotating my grandfather's love letters to my grandmother leading up to their marriage in June 1940. The letters are chronologically organized and preserved, using the methods I discuss in detail in my book, Creating Family Archives: How to Preserve Your Papers and Photographs

In this letter, Grandpa returns from his weekend trip to Paterson. He drove down with Otto (I'm assuming) on Friday night after work and returned on Sunday night. I wonder what Grandma and Grandpa did while he was in town? Did they see at show at the Fabian Theater?

 

Interrogating Documents with 16 Questions

Interrogating Documents with 16 Questions

When I teach my Research Methods students, I often ask them to interrogate their primary sources. When you’re working with documents—whether manuscripts from the 17th century or blog posts that were published minutes ago—you need to analyze them like detectives. Nothing should be taken at face value. Often, this means that a document may need to be read several times to unravel its meaning.

Letter #5: Morning, Noon, and Night

Letter #5: Morning, Noon, and Night

I'm continuing my series of scanning, transcribing, and annotating my grandfather's love letters to my grandmother leading up to their marriage in June 1940. The letters are chronologically organized and preserved, using the methods I discuss in detail in my book, Creating Family Archives: How to Preserve Your Papers and Photographs

In this letter, Grandpa returns from his weekend trip to Paterson. He drove down with Otto (I'm assuming) on Friday night after work and returned on Sunday night. I wonder what Grandma and Grandpa did while he was in town? Did they see at show at the Fabian Theater?