My grandmother Evelyn Emogene SELBY (1915-2003) was the only daughter of Harriet Belle WALLACE of Meriden, Conn. and Arthur Richard SELBY, of Ansonia, Conn. The young couple's marriage dissolved after several years (married in 1911; divorced before 1922). Below is the transcription of the second of 2 of Evelyn's letters from my great-grandfather's second wife, after his death in 1949. Christina Auch theauchs@adelphia.net http://freepages.family.rootsweb.com/~familiesacrosstime/ Posted with a 3 cent stamp from Mrs. Arthur R. Selby 31 Johnson Street Ansonia Connecticut to Mrs. Eugene A. Stead 2122 Campus Road Durham North Carolina March 8, 1950 Dear Evelyn Your letter was so welcome and gave me such real happiness that I just have to write again to to tell you how much I appreciate it, and to thank you for the snapshot of the children. They are darling -- I could hug them. If only Art could have seen them. He loved children so much and they always went to him right away. Perhaps you would like to hear about your "forty 'leven" aunts, uncles, and cousins in the Selby family. Annie (76) and Fannie (72) are the two oldest, both unmarried and living together here in Ansonia. They mother the whole family and are so generous and good hearted. The whole family is great on family gatherings. The snap I sent you is one of the smaller parties. Usually, there are more than twenty. The next sister Lena, died in 1944. Her daughter is Helen Hubbard (41). She ahs four fine boys -- Jack, 17 in April, Tom, 12 in Feb., Ray, 7 in Jan. and Donnie was 2 last November. Tom and Donnie are our god sons and Art and I went out and stayed with the family while Helen was in the hospital when Donnie was born. Helen's brother Joseph (38) and his father live together in Stratford. His little daughter, Selby Jane, and her mother live in Texas. They were divorced a couple of years ago. Tom Selby (66), the only brother and his wife Margaret live in Los Angeles. Their daughter Peggy (about 30) is married and has a little girl, Christie. Tom came East in 1937 but I have never seen his family. Kittie (59) was one of your Mother's bridesmaids. Her husband died three years ago and she is teaching kindergarten in the public schools in New Haven. She has two sons, Ralph (29) and Richard (27). Both grad- uated from Duke (engineers) and both married girls from N.C. Ralph has a little girl, Ruth, 5, and a son Bruce who will be 2 in July. He looks a bit like your little Bill. Richard's wife came from Durham -- Jennie Frizzelle. They have a little girl who will be two in April and are expecting their second baby next week. I am going to Spring- field to stay with Richard and little Jen while Jennie is in the hospital. Helen (55), the youngest of the Selby family also has two married children. Barbara (25) is a medical technician and is at the T.B. San. in Meriden. Bud (24) (her brother is named Ellsworth for his father) is at Bradley Univ. in Peoria and will graduate in June. I haven't said anything to tell you what fine folks they are. They really are a group of very happy families, except the two Joes. They have all been wonderful to me and are a grand crowd. I took Annie, Fannie and Kittie over to Helen's one evening last week. they were all so glad I had written to you and had your reply and were so interested in your children. They were disappointed aas I was, that you didn't send a picture of yourself. I would like very much to have one. Also, Sunday afternoon, I drove up to Meriden and left the dishes I told you of with Mr. and Mrs. Fred Willcox. They have always sent Christmas cards to your Father and I knew of course they would be glad to pass the package along to your Mother. This letter is terrific -- I should never have written so much but it just seems as if I could go on indefinitely to you. I wish I was near enough to "baby sit" for you, too. Jennie says she expects her child will be spoiled but I don't think I'll wreck all her good training entirely in only six days. Please forgive me for running on so. I would love to hear from you again and if there is anything you would like to know about your Father or his family, please ask me. Did you know he had a very fine baritone voice and was soloist in churches for years -- also charter member of men's glee club here. It's a good thing I'm at the end of the page. I won't start another. With best wishes, Sincerely, Edith Selby