Letters, voices of the past
This past week while working on my Documents
Project, I transcribed three letters I received in March 2003 from three
different branches of the Hugh and Margaret Roberts family. One letter was from a descendent from the
Isaac(10) Roberts family, one descendent was from the John Richard(8) Roberts
family, and one letter was from the Sarah Ann(11) Roberts family. The information varied on the family details
imparted; including tidbits, stories, and facts.
Eighteen years later, the past was literally
speaking to me! None of these family
members is living today, so these letters are conversations speaking to the
future. I originally decided to
transcribe the letters for two reasons; I comprehend and remember better, when
I write/type something out and secondly transcription enables me to enter the
transcription into my genealogy software program and then I am able to attach
the information to each family member mentioned in the letter.
I had the privilege of meeting each letter author;
Kenneth, Kathleen, and Bette. It
surprised me, although it should not, how much of each person’s personality
shone through their letter writing. For
example, direct and honest Kathleen wrote about one close relative, “That
branch is a strange and sad one.” While
Bette (and Jack) were able to give detail tidbits of information extracted from
Jack’s memory and written out in Bette’s insistent personality, which
eventually helped piece and identify descendants of that branch of the
family.
I feel very blessed to have met each of these family
members and am honored to have these valuable treasures among my many documents
and sources.
With texting and cell phone calls replacing letter
writing and emailing, it makes me wonder how much is being indirectly
lost. For example, Bette’s letter
begins, “We were re-reading your letter today...” which is something inconsistent
with texting and phone calls; thoughtfully letting memories and answers
percolate.
I am extremely grateful for the treasured letters I
have from the past from family members who still communicate with me today, through
their words written 18 years ago. This
massive Document Project continues to prove to be extremely valuable albeit,
overwhelming!
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