“Family Archaeologist” explores a century of family letters, diaries, and artifacts, and how they illuminate history and our shared humanity. To get an overview of the blog, click: “Welcome to Family Archaeologist”
LATEST BLOG POSTS
World War II war bonds and a brother’s visit
My grandmother's latest letter, written seventy years ago today, combines homey sorts of news with motherly concern for Frank. She relates her visit to her half-sister in Cleveland, Ohio, asks about the visit my dad and mom made to see Frank in Madison, WI, brings him up-to-date on his dad's health and the casual birthday party they had for Grandpa [...]
Memorial Day Tribute to Moms of Vets
For Memorial Day weekend, I dedicate these letters to our soldiers in arms, our veterans, and all the mothers and dads and families who yearn for their safe return. This letter is from my grandmother Lisi Gartz responding to her son Frank's ("Ebner") previous letter.
World War II Cadet: “I know I’m not that good”
Under the advice of his doctor, Frank's hoping to improve his eyesight, critical if he wants to enter pilot training. Frank's gathering documents needed to apply for cadet status in the Army Air Corps, like his birth certificate, and the required recommendation letters have been coming in. A copy of Frank's birth certificate and what appears to be a draft of [...]
World War II Cadets: recommendations required!
Bethel Evangelical Lutheran Church, West End and Keeler, Chicago. 97 of its boys were in the service. To be accepted as a cadet in the World War II Army Air Corps, Frank needed several letters of recommendation. For one he turned to the pastor, Rev. Oscar Kaitschuk, of his neighborhood church, Bethel Evangelical Lutheran (Evangelical is a denomination [...]
Mother’s Day: A World War II Mom sends love and encouragement
Frank's "Ebner's" Mom just before he was drafted, Jan. 1943 For Mother's Day, I'm publishing both a letter my uncle wrote in May, 1943, and my grandmother's response, written about a week later. In his letter, Frank reveals he has his sights set on being accepted as a cadet in the Army Air Corps, the first step toward [...]
World War II soldier: Coming home
A World War II soldier son coming home for a visit was cause for a celebration. This iconic photo of the breakfast spread my grandmother made for her youngest son, who was stationed at Truax Field in Wisconsin, must have been taken shortly after Frank wrote this postcard during his World War II training, telling his folks he was coming home and bringing a friend.
World War II: Blasting the enemy out of the skies
"The Beam," a kind of "Facebook"/"Yearbook? for the trainees stationed at Truax Field in Madison, WI Truax Field, Madison, Wisconsin, was a training ground for radio operators and mechanics in World War II's Army Air Corps. The Beam, a kind of "year book" for the soldiers at Truax, offers this introduction at the start of this book about all [...]
Lots of girls and close to home
World War II Ration Book. This one was Frank Gartz's. Great luck! Frank is stationed in Madison, WI, at Truax Field, where he is not only close to home, but in a university town—and girls are plentiful, and so is the food. Meals including butter and "all the milk you can drink" are noteworthy. It was a big [...]
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