My apologies (again) for the long gap between posts. I am so very far behind on sharing these lovely letters. The living have taken precedence over the dead these past few months. Fortunately, my schedule is freeing up again so I can return to sharing these gems.
So, it's December, and it seems only fitting that I dig through correspondence to find the words my relatives would have received this time of year.
Below is a lovely letter from Grace Vince to her cousin, my Great Grandmother Alice Pinborough. As always, I am delighted and frustrated to read about so many people I have never heard of. Mr. Blyth? Mrs. Hopper? I can only guess all old friends or co-workers from Alice's neighborhood before she immigrated to the US.
Dec. 1. 1926
Miss. G. Vince
52 Old Gravel Lane
Wapping
Dear Aunt Alice,
I received your enjoyable letter. I was very much surprised to hear of Cousin Hilda's intended marriage which all the family & also myself wish her the best of luck & also John & his bride-to-be. You will have a small family. Walter will miss them. Mother has had a letter from cousin Ethel she writes that she has been to see Uncle Walter & wishes that she had seen you before you went back as she spent
quite a lot of time with you the last time. Her married name is Mrs. Marshall she is living in barracks. Ethel has written to Percy but has received no answer. Ivy is going to see her Father so all has come right in the end. I was so sorry to hear that you did not hear from Mr. Blyth wouldn't it have been better if you had had an interview with him while you were here? Mr Blyth always answers Mother's letters. Pleased to hear that Mrs. Hopper has gone to live with Erica it must be much
better for her than to live on her own. Emma & Tilly are still living on their income. Rose & Charlie have had a removal to Watney St. a house of their own which I daresay they will be more comfortable . We will I think also have a removal soon so I expect when you come over to England again we will be more settled. The watch is a very good time keeper. All in England send their best love to all at 281 J Street. Will you ask Walter to write to me. We will soon have Christmas here once more which I hope will be a merry one.
Mother has sent a parcel to Aunt Annie & is sending another one later on containing her little Christmas Pudding which mother always makes special. A Christmas Pudding is also sent to Denmark so you see mother is quite a busy cook & also one if being sent to newmarket for Uncle. It is quite a noted thing here. Uncle Walter sends his love to all. You must not take offense because Flo & Frank do not write but they think of you just the same. Tilly is the only one who write to Annie so you see that the family is not
in love with writing. I think we take after Dad. Now I must conclude as I have to meet my sweetheart.
I Remain Your Affectionate Niece Grace XXXXXXXX
P.S. Lots of love & kisses. I still am employed by Aunt Emma.
Honestly, I don't know what I'd do without Ancestry.com, FamilySearch.org and Evernote to help me research, track, and manage so many people. Despite all the data available, I always seem to have more questions! I wish I had been more aware of genealogy and the existence of so many relatives when I was younger. There were so many in England I could have visited before they passed. All these letters would have led to such fun conversations.
Here's a little insight to the folks mentioned in this letter...
Grace M. Vince born 1910 to William Vince (1865-1922) & Elizabeth Thomas Vince (1870-1953), siblings Annie, William, Henry, Marie, Charles, Albert, Emmie, Florence "Flo." Grace was my great grandmother's brother's child, my first cousin 2x removed (it does get complicated, doesn't it?). Most of Grace's siblings are mentioned in the letter, a few insights below:
- Ethel Marshall aka Effie. (1894-1981 estimate)
- Percy (1891-1988) & Ivy (1901-1975) are the children of Walter Vince, by great grandmother Alice's brother.
- Mr. Blyth - not a clue!
- Mrs. Hopper & Erica - not a clue!
- Emma & Tilly - At the writing of this letter, Tilly was 18 & Emma 22 - I'm not sure what "living on their income" means.
- Rose & Charlie & Watney Street Charlie was Grace's brother born 1900. He married Rose Catherine Taylor in 1922.
- Aunt Annie is Anna Vince 1877-1932, sister of my great grandmother Alice & Grace's Father.
- Florence "Flo" Vince (1906-1928) & Frank Victor Tomkins (1907-1973). Flo was sister of Grace.
- That Christmas Pudding sent to Denmark must have gone to Annie Elizabeth Vince (1892-1966), she married Hans Kaehne and they lived in Kolding Denmark. I have a delightful collection of letters & tattings sent from her to my grandmother Hilda.
That's all for now.
Until next time, Happy Genealogy Hunting!
Laurie
