I'm continuing my series of scanning, transcribing, and annotating my grandfather's love letters to my grandmother leading up to their marriage in June 1940. The letters are chronologically organized and preserved, using the methods I discuss in detail in my book, Creating Family Archives: A Step-by-Step Guide for Saving Your Memories for Future Generations.
In the 24th letter in the Grandpa's Love Letter series, Grandpa dashes off a few lines before going out to a movie.
Grandpa's looking for a new place to move into with my grandmother when they get married. He hadn't mentioned that Grandma visited Scranton before, so perhaps the trip with her friend Veronica would be her first. When I knew her, Grandma seemed to keep to herself, so it's nice to see that she has a friend that she feels comfortable to travel with.
Written on the back: "Ann Warren Oct. 31, 1937"
I love this picture of her from three years before this letter was written. She Americanized her name from the Lithuanian "Anna Varasinkas" to "Ann Warren."
***
Scranton Pa
4/17/40
Dear Ann:
We did not reach the shop until 9.45 on Monday. We tried to avoid a bad detour but some how or other took the wrong road and ended up near Wilkes Barre which is 18 miles from Scranton.
I do not think I will be home this coming weekend as Otto does not intend to go home and perhaps Fred his cousin will stay over for the first time.
I mentioned to Mr. Kretch that I would be looking for rooms in earnest in the near future. I mentioned one street that I though [sic] we would like to live on and he said the rens were reasonable on that street. Now, when the time comes I hope we can find rooms there.
Although Otto has not said so to me I think Jean may come up this week-end. As usua don't mention it to anyone because I do not think he would want anyone to know about it even if she did come up.
What do you think of the idea of you and Veronica staying here when you two come up, if it can be arrainged [sid]?
I am going to the movies now and I have but 10 minutes to make the start of the show so I must close now.
As ever, I am more than ever in love with you.
Your Sweetheart
Ray
***
Ready to get started creating your family archives? Here are some of my favorite products:
