Letter from 1929 Connects Family Across Generations

In 2001, Christina Archer was clearing out the bedroom of her old home in London, Ont., when an envelope tumbled out from behind her closet wall.

Inside was a handwritten letter dating back nearly a century.

“We were like ‘Holy cow, it’s from 1929!’ It looked like somebody might have placed it there as a time capsule,” Archer said.

“I was just so drawn to the history of the whole thing, it’s a historic letter depicting the beginning of the early 30s and the cursive writing,” she added. “It was just amazing, beautiful writing.”

The letter, dated August 13, 1929, came from Charles Slater, who worked on a Great Lakes freighter called S. S. Lemoyne out of Fort William, Ont., now Thunder Bay. He wrote to his father about the struggles facing Canada’s grain industry at the start of what would later become known as the Great Depression.

Slater’s letter also touched on forest fires and included a book recommendation for his dad titled All Quiet on the Western Front by German author Erich Maria Remarque.

The envelope was addressed to Samuel Henry Slater at 818 Princess Ave., where Archer and her family lived later on.

An excerpt of Charles Slater’s 1929 letter to his father Samuel Henry Slater, who was living at 818 Princess Avenue in London, Ont., while his son served on Great Lakes freighter in present-day Thunder Bay. (Submitted by Laurie Powers)

Archer mentioned that she tried searching for Slater or his relatives using phone books and land registry documents but had no luck – eventually moving away but keeping hold of the letter.

Fast forward twenty-five years to May this year; she decided to give it another shot. This time she posted about it in a Facebook group for people who grew up in London. To her surprise, a local genealogist reached out offering help with finding information about Slater.

Within just 48 hours, she got connected with Aaron Powers from London, grandson of Slater’s half-sister Audrey. The two met up with Archer right away to receive the letter.

“It’s strange because a week ago I didn’t know I had this big a family,” Powers said. “All my life I thought my family was very small.”

Who is Charles Slater?

Marisa Cooper is a genetic and forensic genealogist at Our Story Canada who responded to Archer’s post and linked her with the Powers family.

By piecing together details from old census records and public documents, she found out that Charles Slater was born in London in 1914. His mother passed away in 1920 when he was just six years old; his father Samuel Henry remarried later on and they moved into his step-mother’s house at 818 Princess Ave.

A photo of Charles Slater, left, with his dad Samuel Henry Slater. The Powers family believes this photo was taken around when Slater wrote that letter to his father in 1929. (Isha Bhargava/CBC)

When he penned that letter in 1929 at age fifteen, Slater worked aboard a freighter during The Great Canadian Grain Blockade which halted wheat exports crucial for Canada’s economy back then.

“When Charles wrote his letter in 1929 noting there was ‘no grain to bring back,’ he witnessed one of the first signs leading into the Great Depression,” Cooper explained. “His letter reflects what life was like historically during that period.”

The census from 1931 shows that after some time he returned to London doing various jobs including working for an appliance company called Kelvinator. His first wife died in 1947 and he married again in 1950 before passing away himself in 1984 at age seventy.

Aaron Powers holds onto his grandmother Audrey’s photo album filled with countless pictures including those of her half-brother Charles Slater. (Isha Bhargava/CBC)

After mapping out his family tree, Cooper discovered that due to tragedy all through its branches – particularly having lost only child from his first marriage shortly after birth – ultimately led them back towards finding any siblings instead.

Cooper used public records build timelines discovering three full siblings along with one half sibling plus four step-siblings,” explained Cooper.

“That half sibling turned out being Powers’ grandmother Audrey who settled down not too far away over near Dorchester until passing around early-2000s.” According also mentioned is how Schaefer’s father ended up being buried within same place located nearby Dorchester area.

An unexpected family tree

Aaron admits regretting not having asked more questions about extended relatives earlier on but says learning about this letter has made him want even more information now.’He excitedly shares stories regarding finding some treasures hidden inside those albums belonging once belonging solely unto their ancestor.”

The couple expressed amazement over how active young teenage boys could’ve been back then!

“It’s astounding knowing someone could work upon steamships such early ages… Honestly felt as though reading words formed by man rather than kid,” remarked Aaron.

“He discussed layoffs gas price changes going forth-this entire experience truly feels fascinating,” noted Laurie.

Christina Archer created this piece as tribute intended for Power’s honoring memory attributed toward slaying detective mystery spanning across two-and-a-half decades! It illustrates journey taken whilst uncovering forgotten memories tied intimately between those written correspondences along sides matching visuals evoking reminiscent feelings towards legacy retrieved last held ownership finally handed rightful owners”

“This isn’t simply heirloom; turning final stage excitement surrounding delivery process made possible handover complete!” concluded Christina warmly referring newfound friends created opportunity meeting once faced earlier today alongside bonding shared experiences creating lasting impressions focused primarily remembering lives lived onwards beyond future generations.

Source link