Hello Bill, I hadn;t heard that expression myself, I was assuming she meant 'Waist-slip" as in a half underskirt. But, then in the next to last paragraph of the letter Dorothy says she is going to post the waist, and next to it in brackets she put (Blouse), so it is a short sleeved Blouse. You may be interested in the next but one letter I will be typing, think that will be No 12, Dorothy crashes the 'High Priced Car' she was so proud of. OOps!! Pat --- On Mon, 30/1/12, bill.stratton@ns.sympatico.ca <bill.stratton@ns.sympatico.ca> wrote: > Question what is a WAIST that she is explaining that is navy > blue & gold > > Bill Stratton > Cole Harbour NS Canada

Sorry folks, didnt mean to confuse you. The heading for letter 9 should have been DOROTHY SMITH, not as I type Dorothy Cook. Sorry, Pat

5th July 1927, Wellington, Colorado.U.S.A. My dearest Mother, I do have an awful time trying to get a letter written so am going to write a little at a time until I accomplish something. I was surprised and very pleased to receive your last letter with the handkie enclosed. Thanks ever so much for it mother, it's sure pretty. Gee! I seem to be busier than ever this year. I don't see why tho, and I am always tired. The dreadful things you read about mother, did not happen around here. I'm thankful to say. We have had our share of bad luck tho. I think this ranch is hoodooed or something for we seem to catch everything that's going in the "weather line". What did you have to go to the clinic so much for and how are the girls now-a-days? Thank you for the snaps, your house looks nice and seems to be a big one, the church I bet is nice too. We do not have churches like that in this country. Talk about chickens mother, I have not had very good luck again this year. I have quit setting hens as it is getting so very hot now. I set a pile of hens this year but had such poor hatches, several hens left their nests and the rats got quite a few of my little chickens. I have about one hundred and thirty (130) little chickens, and I believe they will be mostly roosters. Nida does not go to school any more, you see she graduated from the senior high school. Whenever I get a few extra cents all of my own I'll send you that waist. I have had it packed for quite a while (Please be careful) It's navy blue with gold embroidery. Well mother, that is one letter answered now for number two. I think I sent you a slip, cutting rather about our cradle roll party. I was included in the hostesses and had to make a batch of cookies. One woman took quite a fancy to them so I gave her what were left. Ed and Mary went as Jack and Jill. Ed said the first verse and then began to cry, Mary cried too. I bet you had a nice time at Clee, I wish I could have been there. Ben Sharpe is making hay while the sun shines, isn't he. Three kiddies already. We have had rather a wearying time of it. You know I told you about ma's sickness, well she got very bad rather suddenly and had to be taken to the hospital and operated on right away. She was operated on two weeks ago last Thursday, was in hospital twelve days, and then stayed at her brother Frank's home until Sunday when she came back here. She does'nt look at all well, is not feeling very good and is dreadfully weak. She had an ovarian cyst, it weighed anything from four to seven pounds. It was just hanging by a string or tube which kept twisting round. The doctors said that if it had turned about twice more it would have come off and mother would have bled to death. Poor Ma, I feel so sorry for her, she dreaded it so, she got along just lovely tho. She celebrated her 63rd birthday on Sunday. Well mother dear it is five p.m. so I have to quit for a while anyhow July 20 - You see mother I have been quite a while have'nt I? I'm sorry. I have got my dishes washed, beds made and chores done besides some mending for the children and it is only 7.15 a.m. now. Our mail man comes about nine and so I want to get this letter ready early. On Monday I washed and folded the clothes, cleaned house, baked a batch of cookies, went to town and had two visitors. My neighbour was over in the morning and Rose came down for the afternoon. I have a new neighbour again. They have one two year old boy and the woman, Mrs Young, suffers greatly from asthma. She is only 24, the man is nineteen years older. Yesterday I was dreadfully busy too. I baked bread, made butter, ironed, made a freezer of ice-cream and went to town. Being such warm weather now-a-days I have an awful time with my butter. It generally takes me all day to work it, so yesterday I got some ice. I have quite a lump of it so I made ice-cream, it was my first attempt but the cream was fine. On the 4th July we went to the mountains, took half-a-gallon of strawberry ice-cream and had both dinner and supper up there. We came down to Fort Collins and stayed to see the fireworks display. Last Wednesday was Aide Day so Rose and Mary and I went. We had gingerbread with apple-sauce and whipped cream for lunch. The next day I went to Collins and bought enough groceries to last me two or three weeks. Last week we had two big hail storms around here, for miles a great deal of damage was done. The dry land grain was all ripe and it was beat down. It hurt our beets quite a bit took, 'twill set them back again so I don't think we will make much this year. Walt's mother is getting stronger every day and feeling much better in herself. Mary was sick on Monday her stomach was upset I think Ed has caught a cold. He has to start school next month. I had to cut a piece off the side drape on my dress so am sending you a sample of the material. I will mail your waist (blouse) one day this week. It has short sleeves but if you care to, you can get a little georgette and lengthen them. They're fashionable that way. Well mother dear, I really must close now. Tell Marg I have'nt forgotten her. I hope you are all well. Give my love to all I remain Your loving daughter XXXXX Dolly XXXXX p.s. Next week is Frontier days at Cheyenne, I think we'll go one day. Thanks a lot for the Home Coms. This letter contained quite a long newspaper cutting. I will type it all, as it contains quite a few names. (I have already had an email from a lady in USA who is following these letters, she lives 30 miles from Wellington, what a coincidence) 'Social News of Wellington and Surrounding Country' CRADLE ROLL'S "MOTHER GOOSE" Party. The Cradle Roll's "Mother Goose" party on Tuesday was one that will long be remembered by those who attended. The meeting opened by singing the Cradle Roll Ode after which Rev. Huddleston read the scripture verses contributed by the mothers concluding with a very appropriate talk and then he offered prayer. Mrs Shinn called the roll to which twenty-two responded. The Superintendent then gave a report of money collected and spent during 1926 and it was voted to continue these social meetings. With the closing of the business meeting Mrs Shinn read the story of the life of Mother Goose, proving that she was not a mythical character but a real woman. To Mother Goose jingles played on a victrola all children dressed in costume and led by Katherine Pyatt as Mother Goose and Gladys Wich as Little Bo Peep, marched to the rostrum where each in turn stepped out and presented the rhyme they represented. Katherine Pyatt called each ryhme as they appeared and quoted those of the smaller children. There was "Little Miss Muffet", Little Boy Blue", "Mary Quite Contrary", "The Little Girl With the Curl", "Old King Cole", "The Old Woman who Lived in a Shoe", " King of Hearts", "Little Bo Peep", "Jack and Jill" "Humpty Dumpty", and "Little Jack Horner", Merle Hankins, Mariana Miller and Patsy Ve Verka sang little songs after which Miss Roberta Dalby very delightfully told the children stories. Refreshments consisting of cookies, and lemonade were served by Mrs Leonard Tebbs and her committee. An added attraction was a canary bird that took his turn in singing. The decorations consisted of posters representing Mother Goose characters and flags as this was flag day. For favors the superintendent presented each child with a small flag.

Hello Dorothy, Yes, very sad, thank goodness we have better health care and medical science, tho I have read in recent years that TB has been re-appearing in UK, they think mainly to do with the huge influx of ethnic workers and asylum seekers flocking into UK. The visits to the Dr that Dorothy mentioned would all have had to be paid for. She had a tough life in her early married years didnt she. Hard for us to imagine babies being born with measles. Some families lost several members, including the children to TB, heart breaking for them, the men had to try and remarry quickly to try and get their children looked after. NIt is nice that Dorothy was so good at letter writing, my grandmother looked after the letters very well, it is now about 85 years since these letters were written. Thank you for your email and interest. Pat in Grimsby, Lincolnshire

Vert interesting reading Question what is a WAIST that she is explaining that is navy blue & gold Bill Stratton Cole Harbour NS Canada ----- Original Message ----- From: "Pat Cook" <paver207@yahoo.co.uk> To: <ENG-LINCSGEN@rootsweb.com> Sent: Monday, January 30, 2012 7:06 PM Subject: [LIN] Letters by Dorothy Smith - No 10 >> Nida does not go to school any more, you see she graduated from the >> senior high school. > Whenever I get a few extra cents all of my own I'll send you that waist. > I have had it packed for quite a while (Please be careful) It's navy blue > with gold embroidery.

 So sad about Florence dying so young and leaving two small sons behind - my mum-in-law's mother died about the same time also from TB, she left 2 small children and a new baby - sadly the baby died a few weeks later as well. Makes you realise how difficult life was then. Dot On 30 January 2012 15:24, Pat Cook <paver207@yahoo.co.uk> wrote: > 24 May 1927, Wellington, Colorado. U.S.A. > Written across the top of this letter - Thanks ever so much for the book, I sure love to read them. D. > My Dear Mother, >    It is two weeks since I received your very welcome letter but I have been exceptionally busy. > > Enclosed is a newspaper clipping of Florrie's funeral. > 'Death of Mrs. G. D. Rice, After a lingering illness' >   Mrs Florence Bertha Rice, wife of G. D. Rice, passed away Sunday morning about 11 o'clcok at her home south-east of Wellington after an illness of two years. Tuberculosis was the cause of her death. >   Mrs Rice was born in Wales on November 11 1900.  She was united in marriage to G. D.Rice in February, 1919.  Four children were the result of this marriage, two passing away in infancy.  The husband and two sons survive her.  Other surviving relatives are her Parents, Mr and Mrs Walter Wood, who reside north of Wellington, seven sisters and two brothers. >   Funeral services were held on Wednesday afternnon, May 25 at 2 o'clock, at the Balmer mortuary in Fort Collins, Rev. Oscar Huddleston pastor of the Wellington Community church, officiating.  Interment was made in Highland  cemetery northeast of town. -- Dot Holden Dover Kent UK There are three things that can never be retrieved, the spoken word, time past and the neglected opportunity

24 May 1927, Wellington, Colorado. U.S.A. Written across the top of this letter - Thanks ever so much for the book, I sure love to read them. D. My Dear Mother,    It is two weeks since I received your very welcome letter but I have been exceptionally busy.    It was Walt's thirty-fifth (35) birthday on the eigth (8) of this month and that was on a Sunday.  The following Monday I was busy cleaning up the house and making a birthday cake as I had arranged a surprise party for Walt that night.  He did not know the least thing about it and was surprised when he saw four car - loads of people drive in.  All the home folks were here, Rose and Ray and three children,  Dorothy and Carl and baby and Mr and Mrs Deines, seventeen without counting ourselves.    We had a swell time, playing games and indulging in music, singing and gossip until midnight, then we had refreshments. X Ma and Rose brought sandwiches, Dorothy a sunshine Cake and Mrs Deines an angel food cake.  I made a butterscotch cake and we also served hot chocolate.    Wednesday of the same week Rose and I went to the Ladies Aid and I took Mary to the doctor to have the stitches taken out of her leg.  The sore is all healed up now but looks kinda blue. X    On the Friday we went to a grade program at the school house.  Of course in between times I had to bake, churn, wash, iron etc;    On Monday May 16th Florrie was taken very ill she had a sinking spell and the Dr said she could only live a few more days.  Liza stayed with her in the day times as we all took turns at night.  I stayed with mother as well, on Tuesday and Friday night. X    Florrie was so weak we had to move her around and lift her in and out of bed.  She was nothing but skin and bone and her eyes were so big and stary.  I guess she had'nt eaten anything for three weeks.  She was sore all over and the stuff that came off her lungs almost choked her for she was too weak to cough it up.  Saturday afternoon we all had a call to go down there as she was worse.  The Dr injected Strychnine to keep her heart going.  She sure did breathe hard and was choking quite a bit.  Walt and I were down there on Sunday morning at about 9 a.m., she waved her hand and said goodbye when we left.  At 10.30 we got word that she had passed away.  They took her to the mortuary right away and yesterday Gudjer and the folks chose her casket and the clothes to bury her in. (The coffins here are made of paper and made and bought by the wholesale. X The bodies are always all dressed up, and anyone can go in and see them. They are on view during the services). Florrie is to be buried at 2 p.m. tomorrow, (Wednesday) afternoon.  The services will be held at the undertaking parlors and the burial will take place here at Wellington.  The grave yard is not very far from here. X    I suppose you'll wonder what all the crosses mean, well, every time I have to pay off writing I make a cross so that you can see what a time I'm having to get through.    Well, I'll look your letter over and give the rest of my news afterwards. X    You must have all your house-cleaning done by now, mother, have'nt you?  I bet the house looks nice.  I have not started on my cleaning yet.  I'm waiting for warmer and nice weather!.  We get so very much wind and the dust drifts in all over the house    Marjorie and Edith must have some very nice coats.  I like the material so well, especially Edith's.    Where does Joyce N live? and what does she do? She seems to visit you pretty often.    Talk about my "chicken luck mother" I've sure been having it, as usual.  You know I bought those hundred baby chicks and now I have only twenty-eight of them left.  I have fifty other little chickens too, some are nearly as big as pigeons.  I have ten hens setting, will set another in the morning and have two more broody.  I have'nt got any more boxes to set them in and it takes me quite a while to save up a setting of eggs.     About a week ago we had a letter from Dick to say that Carrie had a ten pound baby daughter.  It was sure a surprise to every body.    There are several cases of scarlet fever around here now.  The schools, churches and picture house and all public buildings are closed.  Tomorrow night was to have been graduation night, but that is cancelled.    For a graduation present we gave Nida a toilet set consisting of hair-brush, comb and mirror made of white ivorette.    We are having quite a time with our beets this year.  Two weeks ago we had a bad storm and our beets were all frozen.  Walt replanted fifteen acres and left the others, thinking they might turn out alright.  Now the weather has about spoiled them so he re-planted some more today.  It's getting late for beets now.  Our hired man started in to work this morning, we've got a different one this time.    I went to Collins with the folks this afternoon and ordered my flowers for the funeral.  I got half a dozen pink carnations and half of pink snap-dragons.  They cost $1.50, so pretty high I think.    Well mother, I really must quit, tell Marg, I'll write her as soon as possible.  I hope you are all well as it leaves us at present.  Give my love to all and accept lots yourself.        Your loving daughter            XXXXX XXXXX    Dolly Enclosed is a newspaper clipping of Florrie's funeral. 'Death of Mrs. G. D. Rice, After a lingering illness' Mrs Florence Bertha Rice, wife of G. D. Rice, passed away Sunday morning about 11 o'clcok at her home south-east of Wellington after an illness of two years. Tuberculosis was the cause of her death. Mrs Rice was born in Wales on November 11 1900. She was united in marriage to G. D.Rice in February, 1919. Four children were the result of this marriage, two passing away in infancy. The husband and two sons survive her. Other surviving relatives are her Parents, Mr and Mrs Walter Wood, who reside north of Wellington, seven sisters and two brothers. Funeral services were held on Wednesday afternnon, May 25 at 2 o'clock, at the Balmer mortuary in Fort Collins, Rev. Oscar Huddleston pastor of the Wellington Community church, officiating. Interment was made in Highland cemetery northeast of town.

5th May 1927, Wellington, Colorado. U.S.A. My Dearest Mother, I have had your last letter quite a while now and have figured every day on answering but always seemed to keep busy. This morning I thought, well, I'll write to mother today, and decided to do it right away. Thanks ever so much for your letter, it seemed a little cheerier than the other one and thanks for the books too. I enjoy the nurses story and the last new one. I'm glad Annie won such a nice prize, she can put it in her "bottom drawer". By the way it is her Birthday tomorrow. I have'nt sent her a card but wish her many happy returns of the day, just the same. Have you heard how Fanny B is now? I sure feel sorry for her. My children are keeping well I'm glad to say. There's chicken pox, measles, pink eye and scarlet fever around. Tops and Ed were exposed to the former ailment but did not take it. Topsy had an accident just a week ago. We dont know how she did it. But she got a big gash in the fleshy part of her leg, on the inside. We had to take her to the Drs, They put her under chloroform and put two stitches in her leg. (It made me sick as usual). I don't know when the stitches have to come out but the wound seems to be healing up. As soon as the kids saw me writing they wanted to make some more kisses. They are both kinder cranky this morning and I sent Tops back to bed until she feels like getting dressed. It is only 7 a.m. and its cold too, the sun is hiding away and I have'nt got a fire. I have been using my gas stove for nearly two weeks now but its really too cold in a morning for it. Well I have forty-one little chickens of my own raising, some are about five weeks old. I bought a hundred baby chicks, Buff Orpingtons from Denver. They arrived yesterday, I have put them with three hens. I did have another one but she tried to kill them. I have'nt looked at them yet this morning as it is too cold to uncover them but I'm sure anxious. Rose got a hundred Plymouth Rocks on Tuesday. Yes, Woolworth's is in Fort Collins. We went to Collins yesterday to get some chick feed. Walt is going in again today to get the valves of the car ground. He will be gone all day. I went down one day last week and bought me a new dress. It's a lovely heavy-weight silk crepe, real pale pink, is bloused; the waist has a big band of dull embroidery across the front and the skirt has several rows of pin tucks. The skirt has a front over drape and a side drape; The neck is round with a bow and a pretty buckle on one shoulder. The sleeves are long and full at the wrists. On Saturday night I bought my hat, it is orchid and has a few little pink flowers on one side. I am wearing the blond kid slippers with white trimming and real high heels. I made myself a fast colour print dress and have enough goods for an outfit for Mary. I made her a little blue dress with bloomers to match. My neighbour gave me several dresses and bloomers for her. I had to buy a new boiler, wash boiler, an all copper one this time. The other had a copper bottom and tin sides but I think it lasted well. Walt had it here when I came and it wasn't new then. Have you got any garden in? My peas, turnips, radish and lettuce are up, sweet peas are too. I am putting most of my flowers in my vegetable garden out in the beet field. Well mother dear, I guess I'll have to quit, I have quite a lot to do. I forgot to tell you that Nida graduates for the senior high school this month. The folks have bought her a lovely out-fit, dress, silk slip, kid shoes, stockings etc; We went down to see Florrie the other night. She is getting worse all the time. Her voice is almost gone and she is too weak to stand or any thing else. I made her a sponge sandwich cake and gave her. I have made all kinds of blunders in my letter but you must forgive me, for keeping you waiting so long too. Well mother, I hope you are all well and that you keep so. Give my love to all and take lots yourself. I remain Your loving daughter XXXXX Dolly XXXXX P.S. Walt's mother wishes to be remember to you. The pink goods is like mine and the blue is like Topsy's. They are both fast colour. D.W. Two snippets of material included in the envelope.

> From: Patricia McCrory <patriciamccrory@yahoo.co.uk> > Subject: Re: [LIN] Dorothy's letters, thanks for the comments > To: "eng-lincsgen@rootsweb.com" <eng-lincsgen@rootsweb.com> > Date: Sunday, 29 January, 2012, 17:47 > Hi Pat, will sincerely look forward > to the next letters.  >   > Hope you don't mind me asking - you mention in the > introduction, that your grandfather had 7 children.  > There's Joseph William, Dorothy, Annie Myra, Edith > Josephine, Marjorie A (your mother) and Ted.  Who was/is > the 7th child?  The missing child is Albert Edward Smith he was born March 1902 and died as a small baby. The children were 1 - Joseph Wm Smith b 1896 Hainton, Lincs 2 - Dorothy Smith b 1898 Beniworth, Lincs 3 - Albert Edward 4 - Annie Myra Smith b May 1905 Lincoln, died a spinster 1996 Grimoldby Lincs 5 - Frederick Lee Smith b Oct 1906 Osgodby Lincs 6 - Marjorie Agnes Smith b Sept 1913 Osgodby 7 - Edith Josephine Smith b Sept 1917 Osgodby spinster died 2002 Grimoldby, Lincs My grandmother wrote in her notebook that they moved to Holton le Clay on 19th August, but not the year, it was between 1918 and 1924 Pat

25th March 1927, Wellington, Colorado, U.S.A. My Dearest Mother, Just a few lines in answer to your most welcome letter received last Saturday. I was so very sorry to hear that you have been ill again mother, and that you are in such poor shape. I sure wish I could do something to help you, but, it's the same complaint "I'm too far away" I hope you will be able to rest up a little and take care of yourself so that you will soon begin to pick up again. I am sorry Annie has been ill and hope she is alright again. I had the flu the week after Christmas. I am glad Margy is going to be confirmed. I thought that job of Ted's would be a fine thing for you folks and am sorry he gave it up. Is he working now? Walt is trying to do a little farming but the weather is so unsettled. It keeps snowing, Not enough to do any good but just hindering a fellow. Our soil is so heavy and stickY (gumbo) that it cannot be worked in wet weather. The weather is so cold all the time too. We went up home for a while last night. Mother is feeling exceptionally well right now. Florrie is awfully sick. She seems to be worse than ever. The doctor said that one lung is about gone and the other is covered with ulcers. She went to see a Collins doctor the other day. He sent her to bed for three months, he said her heart is very weak and she is badly run down. Her children are living with their other grand mother Mrs Rice, and have just got over an attack of measles. Nearly everybody has them in this town. One of our neighbour women gave birth to twin boys about two weeks ago. The woman had the measles at the time and the babies were born broken out with the disease. We have a new parson here now. Mr Mogg got too sick to take care of the work. He goes to the hospital every once in a while for a blood transfusion. I went to visit the wife of a professor in the high school today, Mrs Lough. I have met her a couple of times and like her so well. She is expecting her first baby pretty soon. I have just been buying some fast colour print for a dress for myself. I bought Mary a new dress and bloomers and some goods for another outfit. The dress is of cream coloured broadcloth with orange collar, cuffs and kick pleats and is embroidered with two blue flowers. I got Ed two pairs of overalls and two shirts. He thinks he is a man when he wears them because they are like his daddy's. He is getting quite smart, he can count up to a hundred now. Both the children are in bed. Mary went right after supper as usual, she sure is a sleep head. She is a little bit proud of herself and is very independent, won't let me dress her, undress her or anything else unless it is absolutely necessary. Well I have three hens setting now. The first hatches off on Tuesday. Oh mother! Thanks ever so much for the four books you sent. It's awfully sweet of you to send them all the time. Whenever I can manage it I will send you that waist. I've also got a book of Colorado scenery I want to mail to you. Well mother dear, I do hope you will soon get well and strong again, and I hope all the others are all well again. Give my love to them and accept lots yourself Love to all from "us 4" I remain Your loving daughter XXXXX Dolly XXXXX My grandfather William Lee SMITH (b 5 Sept 1873 West Rasen, Lincs) died 18 December 1924 in Grimsby Hospital, the family were living at the Engine House in Holton le Clay. He was found unconscious at the side of the road, having come off one of the early motor bikes. He died in hospital the following day without regaining consciousness. This is why Dolly is concerned about her mothers health and what work Ted,(Frederick Lee Smith)her brother has. Ted has had to take responsibility for the family, even though he is only 18 years of age at the time. He and his sisters Annie Myra Smith, Marjorie Agnes Smith and Edith Josephine Smith are all still living at home, my mother Marjorie and Edith were still at school. Pat

Hi Pat, will sincerely look forward to the next letters.    Hope you don't mind me asking - you mention in the introduction, that your grandfather had 7 children.  There's Joseph William, Dorothy, Annie Myra, Edith Josephine, Marjorie A (your mother) and Ted.  Who was/is the 7th child?    Many thanks for all the information Pat.   Pat     ________________________________ From: Pat Cook <paver207@yahoo.co.uk> To: ENG-LINCSGEN@rootsweb.com Sent: Sunday, 29 January 2012, 17:36 Subject: [LIN] Dorothy's letters, thanks for the comments Thank you Pat and Bazza for your comments. It is a pleasure to share these letters, I cannot believe my Grandmother kept them safe all these years.   They are now about 85 years old.  When my grandmother died about 1952, my two maiden aunt's who still lived at home, carried on in the cottage, until they were eventually re homed in a council house in their village of Grimoldby, Lincs. As I have said before, my Aunt's guarded these letters well, Joe's were hidden behind old table cloths in the sideboard. Dolly's were in the Gladstone bag, hanging on a wall in the woodshed. My mother, was Margy, mentioned in the letters, she and most of her siblings were born at Osgodby, Lincs, or Kirkby cum Osgbody to give it its proper title.  The children went to the village school, where they must have had some very dedicated teachers who produced very well educated children.  All the family had beautiful handwriting.  Both Dorothy and Joe write beautiful letters, their teachers would be justly proud of them if they could also read their letters. About another 10 letters to go, then I will take you into the world of a raw recruit in the British Royal Navy in WW1. Pat in Grimsby, Lincs ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to ENG-LINCSGEN-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message

Thank you Pat and Bazza for your comments. It is a pleasure to share these letters, I cannot believe my Grandmother kept them safe all these years. They are now about 85 years old. When my grandmother died about 1952, my two maiden aunt's who still lived at home, carried on in the cottage, until they were eventually re homed in a council house in their village of Grimoldby, Lincs. As I have said before, my Aunt's guarded these letters well, Joe's were hidden behind old table cloths in the sideboard. Dolly's were in the Gladstone bag, hanging on a wall in the woodshed. My mother, was Margy, mentioned in the letters, she and most of her siblings were born at Osgodby, Lincs, or Kirkby cum Osgbody to give it its proper title. The children went to the village school, where they must have had some very dedicated teachers who produced very well educated children. All the family had beautiful handwriting. Both Dorothy and Joe write beautiful letters, their teachers would be justly proud of them if they could also read their letters. About another 10 letters to go, then I will take you into the world of a raw recruit in the British Royal Navy in WW1. Pat in Grimsby, Lincs

Wonderful social history, well done, we could do with more of this sort of info. Many thanks   bazza ________________________________ From: Pat Cook <paver207@yahoo.co.uk> To: Patricia McCrory <patriciamccrory@yahoo.co.uk>; eng-lincsgen@rootsweb.com Sent: Sunday, 29 January 2012, 16:20 Subject: [LIN] Letters by Dorothy SMITH - No 6 - The date is ......... Sorry, the date is 18 March 1927 Wellington, Colorado, U.S.A. I think I know these letters off by heart now, I love reading them myself.  When I started giving 'talks' and reading them to different groups, they caused a lot of comments and laughter.  I think Dolly would have been a good teacher..... Pat > From: Patricia McCrory <patriciamccrory@yahoo.co.uk> > Subject: Re: [LIN] Letters by Dorothy SMITH - No 6 > To: "eng-lincsgen@rootsweb.com" <eng-lincsgen@rootsweb.com> > Date: Sunday, 29 January, 2012, 16:13 >   > I'm really enjoying these letters Pat.  It's nice not to > get them all at once, too.  Gives me time to digest all the > snippets of information.  Does Letter number 6 have a date > on it?  I'm saving the letters on a Word document. >   > Thank you for your time in typing these out. > ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to ENG-LINCSGEN-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message

Sorry, the date is 18 March 1927 Wellington, Colorado, U.S.A. I think I know these letters off by heart now, I love reading them myself. When I started giving 'talks' and reading them to different groups, they caused a lot of comments and laughter. I think Dolly would have been a good teacher..... Pat > From: Patricia McCrory <patriciamccrory@yahoo.co.uk> > Subject: Re: [LIN] Letters by Dorothy SMITH - No 6 > To: "eng-lincsgen@rootsweb.com" <eng-lincsgen@rootsweb.com> > Date: Sunday, 29 January, 2012, 16:13 >   > I'm really enjoying these letters Pat.  It's nice not to > get them all at once, too.  Gives me time to digest all the > snippets of information.  Does Letter number 6 have a date > on it?  I'm saving the letters on a Word document. >   > Thank you for your time in typing these out. >

  I'm really enjoying these letters Pat.  It's nice not to get them all at once, too.  Gives me time to digest all the snippets of information.  Does Letter number 6 have a date on it?  I'm saving the letters on a Word document.   Thank you for your time in typing these out.   Pat     ________________________________ From: Pat Cook <paver207@yahoo.co.uk> To: ENG-LINCSGEN@rootsweb.com Sent: Sunday, 29 January 2012, 13:04 Subject: [LIN] Letters by Dorothy SMITH - No 6 My dear Mother,   It is such a long time since I heard from you, I thought I'd write a few lines this morning before I start work.  I have to churn and to clean the bedrooms and help Walt some today so I expect to be busy.   I've got lots of sewing to do too, make two wash dresses for myself and dresses, bloomers, petticoats and skirts for Mary.  She needs so many clothes.  I guess I'll soon have to go on my usual spring shopping tour.   It soon will be spring, won't it.  Our first sign of spring is the return of the meadow lark.  One always comes here and sits on the telephone pole just outside and sings to us.  We like to hear him.   I expect Mr Hurdle will soon start fixing things up around here.  We might have a lawn and I'm hoping to have some flowers.   All my house plants froze early in the winter.  Now I'm trying to grow a water hyacinth, a tulip, lily of the Valley and a violet in the house. I bought the last three all fixed up in little paper pots at Woolworths, fifteen cents each.   Measles is very bad in this town of ours now and I heard of a case of scarlet fever the other day.  I'm so afraid the kids will get something or other.  They are such healthy children, Mary always has cheeks just like roses, red ones.  They both grow like weeds and are full of the dickens all the time.   We went to Rose's for the afternoon yesterday.  Dorothy was there too and thought I ought to visit her but I told her "no" she never comes near here.   Last week Rose and I went to the Ladies Aid.  We sewed quilt blocks and then had a lovely lunch.  Everybody took some thing to eat and there sure was a spread.   The men folks all went to a banquet down Collins one night and reported a fine time.  We women all stayed together.   You know we sure had a narrow escape one day, did I tell you about it?  Walt has a .22 rifle and he told Ed to get it for him one morning.  Walt was playing around with it and shot it off two or three times.  The next time he pulled the trigger the blamed thing fired and shot a hole in the wall on the other side of the kitchen.  Gee!  We were sure scared.   Well, I've got two hens setting now and my hens are just beginning to lay.  Eggs are only 20 cents a dozen so they are cheap enough.   Well mother, I seem to about run out of news now and it is nearly mailman's time, so I'll have to put my letter out.  Mr Blanchard brings our mail.   We are having such a lot of cold weather now,  I'll be glad when it changes   I hope you are all well give my love to all and write me when you can.   With lots of love from "us 4"       Your loving daughter         XXXXX Dolly XXXXX On the last page is written - For Grandma X X from Topsy (Mary)     XXX These are from Edward all his own making. I am reproducing these letter with the kind permission of Lou. Typed as written. Pat ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to ENG-LINCSGEN-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message

My dear Mother, It is such a long time since I heard from you, I thought I'd write a few lines this morning before I start work. I have to churn and to clean the bedrooms and help Walt some today so I expect to be busy. I've got lots of sewing to do too, make two wash dresses for myself and dresses, bloomers, petticoats and skirts for Mary. She needs so many clothes. I guess I'll soon have to go on my usual spring shopping tour. It soon will be spring, won't it. Our first sign of spring is the return of the meadow lark. One always comes here and sits on the telephone pole just outside and sings to us. We like to hear him. I expect Mr Hurdle will soon start fixing things up around here. We might have a lawn and I'm hoping to have some flowers. All my house plants froze early in the winter. Now I'm trying to grow a water hyacinth, a tulip, lily of the Valley and a violet in the house. I bought the last three all fixed up in little paper pots at Woolworths, fifteen cents each. Measles is very bad in this town of ours now and I heard of a case of scarlet fever the other day. I'm so afraid the kids will get something or other. They are such healthy children, Mary always has cheeks just like roses, red ones. They both grow like weeds and are full of the dickens all the time. We went to Rose's for the afternoon yesterday. Dorothy was there too and thought I ought to visit her but I told her "no" she never comes near here. Last week Rose and I went to the Ladies Aid. We sewed quilt blocks and then had a lovely lunch. Everybody took some thing to eat and there sure was a spread. The men folks all went to a banquet down Collins one night and reported a fine time. We women all stayed together. You know we sure had a narrow escape one day, did I tell you about it? Walt has a .22 rifle and he told Ed to get it for him one morning. Walt was playing around with it and shot it off two or three times. The next time he pulled the trigger the blamed thing fired and shot a hole in the wall on the other side of the kitchen. Gee! We were sure scared. Well, I've got two hens setting now and my hens are just beginning to lay. Eggs are only 20 cents a dozen so they are cheap enough. Well mother, I seem to about run out of news now and it is nearly mailman's time, so I'll have to put my letter out. Mr Blanchard brings our mail. We are having such a lot of cold weather now, I'll be glad when it changes I hope you are all well give my love to all and write me when you can. With lots of love from "us 4" Your loving daughter XXXXX Dolly XXXXX On the last page is written - For Grandma X X from Topsy (Mary) XXX These are from Edward all his own making. I am reproducing these letter with the kind permission of Lou. Typed as written. Pat

Thanks Pam, I was confident that someone more skilled than I would tell me about some unusual circumstances "out-of-sequence name has been added to the bottom of the GRO page" that have complicated the matter. I did look at the 1911 census to see how many children Alfred & Martha had and how many did not survive and in the absence of a better source this Lawrence Oliver's birth year fits in amongst "his" sibling as Martha has one child that did not survive! Peter Holmes Western Australia. Skype ; p.g.holmes [HOLMES (Witham on the Hill, Manthorpe, Spalding, Pinchbeck, Donington then Leicestershire)]. [DAVISON (Spalding, Donington, Ingoldmells, Skegness)]. [CRAGG (Lincolnshire, Leicestershire & Nottinghamshire)] [FREER (Leicestershire)]. [RYLOTT & WITHERINGTON (Anwick, N & S Kyme, N & S Rauceby, Surfleet, Gosberton Clough etc., Spalding)] [RYLOTT (Ontario Canada & some in New York & Florida USA)] Villages are in Lincolnshire unless stated. PLUS 4 DUTCH surname lines - from Rotterdam area (in Dutch). -----Original Message----- From: eng-lincsgen-bounces@rootsweb.com [mailto:eng-lincsgen-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf Of Pam Downes Sent: Sunday, 29 January 2012 7:47 AM To: eng-lincsgen@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [LIN] Lawrence Oliver WITHERINGTON died Surfleet 1898 For BMD registrations prior to 1916 (i.e. 1837-1915) always use either FreeBMD. Ancestry use FreeBMD's transcriptions for their indexes but they are always at least one update behind FreeBMD. FreeBMD has Lawrence's birth registration in March quarter 1896. Not sure what's gone wrong with Ancestry's updating, but I think the hiccup has occurred because an out-of-sequence name has been added to the bottom of the GRO page and therefore the names that are alphabetically after that name have been omitted from Ancestry's idex.

G'day from a very hot Perth, I have discovered on FreeReg the burial (at the (C of E) church St Lawrence, Surfleet of the above on 25/7/1898 and have reason to believe that he was a previously unknown child of Alfred James & Emma WITHERINGTON of Surfleet. Their other children were previously born in the same area. The family were devout Methodists and therefore, possibly explaining why his birth/baptism was not recorded there. I'm also unable to locate his birth through Ancestry - so any bright ideas anyone? Peter Holmes Western Australia. Skype ; p.g.holmes [HOLMES (Witham on the Hill, Manthorpe, Spalding, Pinchbeck, Donington then Leicestershire)]. [DAVISON (Spalding, Donington, Ingoldmells, Skegness)]. [CRAGG (Lincolnshire, Leicestershire & Nottinghamshire)] [FREER (Leicestershire)]. [RYLOTT & WITHERINGTON (Anwick, N & S Kyme, N & S Rauceby, Surfleet, Gosberton Clough etc., Spalding)] [RYLOTT (Ontario Canada & some in New York & Florida USA)] Villages are in Lincolnshire unless stated. PLUS 4 DUTCH surname lines - from Rotterdam area (in Dutch).

For BMD registrations prior to 1916 (i.e. 1837-1915) always use either FreeBMD. Ancestry use FreeBMD's transcriptions for their indexes but they are always at least one update behind FreeBMD. FreeBMD has Lawrence's birth registration in March quarter 1896. Not sure what's gone wrong with Ancestry's updating, but I think the hiccup has occurred because an out-of-sequence name has been added to the bottom of the GRO page and therefore the names that are alphabetically after that name have been omitted from Ancestry's idex. For what I mean, view the image via the FreeBMD link and then search for any surname between Withenshaw and (Ronald John) Witney on Ancestry and you'll find them missing. Pam Proud to be a member of Lincolnshire Family History Society http://www.lincolnshirefhs.org.uk/ On 28/01/2012 23:09, Peter HOLMES wrote: > G'day from a very hot Perth, > > > > I have discovered on FreeReg the burial (at the (C of E) church St Lawrence, > Surfleet of the above on 25/7/1898 and have reason to believe that he was a > previously unknown child of Alfred James& Emma WITHERINGTON of Surfleet. > Their other children were previously born in the same area. The family were > devout Methodists and therefore, possibly explaining why his birth/baptism > was not recorded there. > > > > I'm also unable to locate his birth through Ancestry - so any bright ideas > anyone? > > > > Peter Holmes > > Western Australia. Skype ; p.g.holmes > > [HOLMES (Witham on the Hill, Manthorpe, Spalding, Pinchbeck, Donington then > Leicestershire)]. [DAVISON (Spalding, Donington, Ingoldmells, Skegness)]. > [CRAGG (Lincolnshire, Leicestershire& Nottinghamshire)] [FREER > (Leicestershire)]. [RYLOTT& WITHERINGTON (Anwick, N& S Kyme, N& S > Rauceby, Surfleet, Gosberton Clough etc., Spalding)] [RYLOTT (Ontario Canada > & some in New York& Florida USA)] Villages are in Lincolnshire unless > stated. PLUS 4 DUTCH surname lines - from Rotterdam area (in Dutch). > > > > > ------------------------------- >

3rd March 1927, Wellington, Colorado, U.S.A. My deat Mother, I was very glad to get your letter some time ago and regret not being able to answer sooner. I have been out quite a lot this winter, and, what with washing and ironing, baking, sewing etc; I keep pretty busy. I am baking bread today. The children have gone out in the field to take Daddy his lunch. Ed carries the tea and Mary the Cake. They go out twice every day. Walt has had a bad cold but is feeling quite a bit better now. I am so sorry you have been ill, mother, what was the matter? You will to take care of yourself. Margy is sure getting to be a help. Tell her I'm quite proud of her. Thank Ted a lot for his picture. I was delighted to have it. He still looks the same about the eyes and nose. Pa and ma think he favors me a little. He's a fine young man anyway. I'm glad he is doing so well. Poor kid it is hard on him having to take care of a family, but oh! Are'nt you glad you have him to help you. Well, I believe you'll be able to say "Everything is hotsy-totsy now" (that's a song) for it looks as if Ted has got hold of a good job. Will you have to pay that money for your pig every week? When you get your meat, why don't you try curing it in brine like we do. It's a good way of keeping it. I always put my odds and ends in brine for a few days too. I'm sure of it then. And another thing (ain't I wise?) Whatever you do, when you have meat to cure or keep never let any of the girls touch it if they are unwell. If you do the meat will spoil. I gave mother your message and she asked me to remember them all to you. She is sick today. Every-once in a while she has some kind of a spell with a lot of pain in her side and round to her back. A week or two ago she was examined by two doctors and they said she has a cyst or a fatted tumour. She might have to be operated on. Poor Ma, I feel awfully sorry for her. Florrie has been feeling a little better but she never can get well again, she is too far gone, poor kid. Say mother, I nearly forgot but thanks ever so much for the books. I was sure tickled to death to get them. I am enclosing a clipping about our Ladies Aid party. I was one of the hostesses. I found the bread and butter and a pint of cream. I was glad I did'nt have to make anything. Rose went to the party and she joined so I'll have a little company sometimes. We meet at the church this month and each one has to take something to eat. I think I will take a lemon pie. I'm pretty good at making them, at least the menfolk swear by them, as they do for all my cooking. I have joined the Women's Civic League now, am one of the charter members. I have a new neighbour Mrs Lovall. Eatmans sold out and have moved away. Mr Hurdle is talking of improving this place this spring. He intends adding a new room and back porch and making me a cellar. I forgot to tell you our nanny goat Nanny is dead. Some dogs worried her to death one night. Well mother give my love to all, remember me to any old friends and hoping you are all well I remain Your loving daughter XXXXX Dolly XXXXX There is never a dull moment in the Woods households is there. Pat in Grimsby, Lincolnshire