This!!!
If you are a regular reader, you know that my ancestors didn't leave a lot of documents behind for me to learn about their lives. But, tonight, my second cousin called me to tell me that he'd just come across this box filled with letters written to his grandmother by his grandfather, both of whom died before either of us was born. His grandfather, William L. Greene, was my grandmother's brother. And, because W.L.'s mother had died when he was very young, my grandmother (and her sister) helped to raise their little brother. The three of them were very close, and supported each other throughout their adult lives. My father (whose own father had died when he was four) actually went to live with W.L. and his family for his high school years. Then, when W.L.'s wife died, my grandmother and aunt spent some time at their home, helping to care for their three sons, the youngest of which is my cousin's father, at whose home he just found this box! (Whew!) In addition to the letters (which were written in the 1920's), my cousin also found some photo albums, which he says "look like they're from that same time period"!
I doubt if I have to explain to anyone reading this how exciting this is!!! Even though W.L. was writing to his (presumed) girlfriend, and future wife, it was during a period of time that I've been so curious about in my family's history. I am hoping that that W.L. will tell about some of the events that were happening in the family during the years between about 1918 -1929.
Oh, Uncle Bill, please say something about my grandmother's marriage to my grandfather, who was a widower with three children that she had to finish raising. Please tell of that grandfather's battle with tuberculosis, and maybe tell me something about his funeral. Can you tell me what my grandmother was like as a young woman? Oh, and my aunt has told me that your father did not want my grandma to marry my grandfather. Will you mention anything about that in your letters? After all, my great-grandfather was still alive until 1927. Will you talk about your decision to attend to Cornell University to get your graduate degree, and tell about your time there? (I wonder if this is where you were writing from?) After all, that had to be quite an experience for a Black man from N.C. at that time. Will you say anything about what happened to your sister, Blonnie, or your brother, Joseph? Both were present in your family in the 1900 and 1910 Census, but then, they just disappeared, and no one seems to know what happened to them! I wonder if you'll explain anything about your how, why, and when you started spelling the Green surname with an "e" on the end. Only your descendants spell it that way. Did you want to separate yourself from your cousins, aunts, and uncles? Maybe you told your future wife about this in one of your letters.
I could go on and on with the questions I'm hoping to get answers to from these letters! Of course, I realize that this was a young man writing to his beloved, so I know that there will be "other" matters of discussion. :) However, this is such a fabulous find! ANYTHING is going to be like treasure! Oh, and as for the pictures - If I end up getting to see what my grandmother looked like as a young woman, or if I get to see my great-grandparents (W.L.'s parent), whom I've NEVER seen.... Wow! The possibilities are endless!
I hope I can keep calm while I wait for the opportunity to see this "loot" for myself. Hopefully, my cousin will pacify me a bit by sending me a few scans, and/or reading to me over the phone. If I could jump in the car and take the 5-hour drive to his house tonight, I would, but my students are in the midst of state testing, so I'd probably lose my job. I guess I'll just have to wait...
So excited!
Renate
