Early 20th century family history
Ruth and Janie worked together to give up custody of Donald, the foster child, thinking that it’s best for Jennie. Lydia stayed up in Adams Center for the week to help Ruth take care of Jennie, leaving Francis home to fend for himself. Janie and Read More …
Ruth is busy and frustrated keeping up with work around the house, caring for children and her mother. Both she and Dave look forward to a planned visit over Decoration Day. They also remember that it’s Francis and Lydia’s first wedding anniversary. May 17, 1936 Read More …
Ruth is working hard keeping up with the farm chores, filling in for her mother with the young kids, and cleaning house. Jennie is doing better, though she still worries about her. Both she and Dave share lots of news and talk of other family Read More …
Dave has returned from a visit to Adams Center. He is heart-broken that Ruth will be there indefinitely to care for her mother, but also thinks she is doing the right thing. May 4, 1936 Adams Center, N.Y. Hello Honey Boy, I have been wondering Read More …
Ruth has a day job caring for an elderly patient suffering from pneumonia. Dave finishes up another job, and mentions a surprise party they had for LaVere’s 15th birthday. Ruth gets news from home in a couple of letters from Jennie. April 13, 1936 464 Read More …
Dave’s work starts to pick up. He continues to talk about the idea of going in with Francis to purchase a gas station. Ruth is with the same patient, but expects the job to finish soon. She gets a letter from Grace with news about Read More …
There are complaints of blistering cold weather from all over, including Adams Center. Both Ruth and Dave are owed payments that don’t come through, and Ruth has trouble finding work. February 10, 1936 Middleburg, N.Y. Dear Ruth, Here goes for the last thing I do Read More …
This week, Dave battles a massive snow storm followed by blistering cold. So cold, in fact, that he can’t work. Ruth finally gets paid. At the end of this post is a letter from Jennie Sedgemore with the first mention of who we think is Read More …
Mid-January doldrums! Dave has been working in pouring rain and Ruth is frustrated, because despite all the work she has been getting, she hasn’t been paid. This post contains a bonus letter from Lydia Sprague. January 13, 1936 Middleburg, N.Y. Hello Darling, Don’t be surprised Read More …
Dave visits Ruth mid-week on Wednesday, but they still get a few letters in anyway. There is a letter from Ruth’s mother, Jennie Parker-Sedgemore, at the end of this post. January 5, 1936 Middleburg, N.Y. My Darling, It is now 6 P.M. Sunday evening and Read More …