Can we Identify Karolyn?

I had hoped the additional information of having Karolyn's brother's name would help me find her in the Census. But I don't know where she is born or where she and Herb met. It seems she had easy enough access to visit with Herb's mother Nellie Jane, so I assume she did not travel from Brooklyn to Troy, but I don't know. My sense is that she met Nellie Jane at Charles and Grace's wedding. We know she lived/served in Bridgeport, CT as a nurse during WWI.

What other hints do we have?

I assume she is Herb's age or maybe a bit younger.

I don't know her heritage - is she Irish? German? Here is a search in NY state for women named Karolyn. Only 8 of them. But which county? And no brother Ed for any of them. And some were very young in 1915, so Karolyn can't be Herb's Karolyn. I guess I should explore Connecticut and New Jersey, too.

September 1, 1918

Dearest Mother,

I haven’t much news for you. The week has been very uneventful – rather more so than usual. We’re still staying along in rest billets and taking things easy. Tomorrow, however, four of us go on permission. We’ll have seven days in the leave area clear, not counting the days going and coming, probably twelve or thirteen days altogether.

I had a letter from Charlie and Grace this week written while they were taking a vacation in Waterford, Connecticut. Chas mentioned the fact that he expects to be called pretty soon. I doubt very much if they’ll take him, however he said he had several letters from me about the time he wrote that was August 6^th. I’m glad of it because I was so afraid he had an idea that I’ve been neglecting him.

I also had a letter from Karolyn this week. Her brother Ed is in a machine gun company and was then expecting to lave very shortly. Unfortunately there were none of your letter in this week’s mail. Usually there are if there is any mail at all. I’ve been expecting a letter from Tom, too.

You know, that package you ordered me through Wanamaker’s never came through. There’s another chap in the Section who was supposed to receive one from them, but he never got one either.

The principal amusement lately is reading the war news. We manage to get the papers fairly regularly and they certainly read well. The British and French are progressing right along. I’m hoping for a good all American demonstration before the winter just to show Ludendorf [sic] what he can expect next spring. I think there are enough Yanks here to do it very nicely.

Your affectionate son,

Herb.

Exciting Breakthru

Life is good.

I was contacted by a cousin by marriage through wikitree yesterday. Though I learned I have missed the opportunity to speak with a relative who loved to talk about the Maher family, I have gained some information about a branch of my tree which had grown cold. And I have learned where many relatives are buried.

I have made some speculative stories about my great Aunts, Lillian and Roberta.

I have also come up with a theory about how Florence and Herb met; something I now must explore. I will share more as I uncover, but I have always been confused as to what happened to Karolyn and how/when Herb meets my grandmother Florence. There is a Lee in the Maher plot. Might Herb have visited a Lee relative for a holiday event and met Florence there? Could be. I mean, Herb didn't meet Florence in a bar or on-line.... so how did they meet? A family gathering would be very appropriate. Herb was living in New York City without the rest of his family who were in Troy, NY. Of course, this Lee in the Maher burial plot has not yet shown up in my tree... but maybe a little more digging and time will tell.

3 baths in one week!

Herb is still in Dampierre-sur-Moivre.

Interesting that Herb should mention the subway, as he was working on a bond offering for it before he left for the War.

No huge headline on the front page of the New York Times on this Sunday as Herb sat down to put pen to paper.

Though, while futzing around I found this article from the Brooklyn Daily Eagle on 21 August 1918 about perhaps an associate of Herb's - they were in Allentown together, so it is possible. Seems that Lieutenant Dougherty was awarded the Croix de Guerre.

August 18, 1918

Dear Mother,

Another week has slid by – very quietly this time. Now and again we hear a rumbling from up the line but nothing occurs to destroy the serenity of this village. I have profited by the occasion to get three baths in one week – a regular record.

I shall try to get through to you some time before an order for some things for the winter – some socks, a new sweater (mine is pretty well gone) and a couple of abdominal bands. I’ve never worn those last but I notice most of the French soldiers wear them all the time and I think they would be very practical for the winter.

I don’t think I told you that I had a letter from Mr. Friedman this week. He wanted to know why he hadn’t heard from me. I’d like to know that myself because I’ve been writing him right along.

The war news continues favorable to us, doesn’t it. Provided we only get a decent break in the luck, one may almost hope that we’ve turned the corner.

Little happens from day to day. Since the Division is on rest there are no wounded men. That leaves little but routine camp work, cleaning up and the like. We’ll very likely have all told about two weeks of this and then we’ll be going back into the lines at some other point. Just now the favorite in door sport is guessing what point it will be.

The worst part of it all is the monotony of the small villages and the country as a whole to any one used to living in the city. One misses the crowds and the street cars and the bustle. I almost find myself missing the Subway, though Lord knows there is never much fun in riding on it.

With best love,

Herb

Find A Grave

Happy 4th of July!

Rather than hike during my down time while I was visiting my brother, I went to Sunset Hills Cemetery to satisfy some photograph requests.

Here is the kind message I got from a fellow Findagrave user:

Thank you so much for the beautiful photo of the grave of Emmett Matthew. The inscription on the stone was too important to be lost and you captured it all. I . . . and the Matthew family are sincerely appreciative!

I believe I should pay it forward with these photographs I take for FAG; though, to be truthful, I might be paying it back in this case. During this very week while I was researching my paternal line, another volunteer with Find A Grave posted photos of cousin Dommerich and Okie headstones from Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn, NY. The information gathered from those headstones allowed for more hints to unfurl on the Ancestry.com web site for me.

This Mason, Emmet Matthew, is not one of my relatives, but as I wondered through the cemetery I came across other stones which did have family names which occur in my tree. Though it would be incredible if these folks belonged to my tree, for, except my brother, I don't know anyone in that state and there is no family lore of anyone going there.