New/old cousin

This time I really wasn't sure who I was sending my letter to. I addressed it to "the relatives of...A". I knew A had passed away nearly 30 years prior, but I hoped, as the white pages indicated, that folks who loved him and knew him still lived there. A's wife M still lived there! She and her son E were pleased and excited to get my letter. I had included a college photo of A. M called me the same day she got the letter and sounded just lovely. I called back and we spoke for about 30 minutes. In the following week E and I exchanged some pictures. We were able to fill in some blanks for each other. These are just some of the pictures E shared.  

Because E mentioned a cabin in the town of Eagle River, Wisconsin, I was finally able to place George Wolff in time and space. Not only did he pass there, his wife submitted a veteran headstone application. This document finally gave me his pension number which allowed me to order George's pension claim from his time in the Calvary during the Spanish American War. 80$ and 63 days later, I should have this paperwork from the National Records Administration. 

More cousin sharing

Another "cold call" paid off. I wrote to a previously unacquainted second cousin- we'll call him R R. RR received my snail mail letter in good health and in turn faxed it over to his auntie. We'll call her D. D is 77 years old and of sound mind and generous spirit. Not only did she entertain and answer my pesky questions but also included color copies of some very precious old photos. The stories are fascinating, the people- amazing. D's first hand descriptions and memories of her parents- the people who for a time raised my grandfather- were especially meaningful. I made her a thank you card and got that in the mail before I call or email. She included both!!

The photo with two men is my great great grandfather (on the left) and this is the first picture I have every seen of him. He died in early 1919 in the influenza pandemic.