52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks: Week 7

 Week 7:

The theme for Week 7 is “Letters & Diaries.” Not much beats finding a letter or diary written by an ancestor. Do you have any in your family? Who wrote them? If you don’t have any letters or diaries, which ancestor do you wish had left some?


Rosella Jane Gross 

Great-aunt

Born: 30 Dec 1926 Newberry, York, Pennsylvania, USA

Died: July 1972 Camp Hill, Cumberland, Pennsylvania, USA


I found some of my great aunt Rosella's letters from the 1940's.

The letter on the white paper is from her friend Grace, who was writing to tell her about a recent x-ray and some teenage gossip. 


Thomasville, Mar 28th, 1947

"I had to undress to my waist and he...took a picture of the top part of my chest like an x-ray. He is just a young doctor. He said 'ah! nearly as nice inside as out`. Hell I could of fell through the floor. He is fresh as Hell." Then they gossip about a guy named Harry. The letter ends with "Don't say anything to Harry. Please!" 


The letter on the brown paper is from New Guinea, Dec 10th, 1944.

She was writing to a solider named Howard. He wrote to her about movies, the weather and how much he missed the girls back home.


New Guinea, Dec 10th, 1944 

"Well what do you know your letter of the 11th of Sept has finally caught up with me..The trouble was that you got my address mixed up with one of your other boy friends." 

"Your picture is plumb ok and thanks a lot for it. If you have any more taken make a real glamor shot for me. I want it in a pin up. You know one of my chin up gals." "We won't be home for xmas this year but you keep it merry and we'll be home next year to make whoopie. Stay pure, Howard" 













Clair Edwin Gross 

Grandfather

Born: 17 July 1929 Newberry, York, Pennsylvania, USA

Died: 21 March 2009 The Carolyn Croxton Slane Residence, Harrisburg, Dauphin, Pennsylvania, USA

Letter written to my grandpa while he was at Camp Pickett. He and the local Rev. played baseball together. 

From: Rev. John S. Caffuman To: Pvt. Clair E. Gross
April 11th, 1951
169th Infantry Regiment,
43rd Division
Camp Pickett, VA

"I wouldn't mind managing the ball team at Pickett, but one catch changes my mind. I would have to join the army, which would be out for me after all I'm strictly a Navy man."

"Don't ever forget God. I know the attitude of some Joe's in the army, but when you face tough situations he is there, I know I've been through it."




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