I have letters from a relative who passed away almost 50 years ago [View all]

He was my great-aunt's only child. I don't know the story of how he came to be. My great aunt was 22 when he was born, in 1913. She was the oldest of 3 sisters. For what-ever reason, she had the baby, and in 1921, when he was under 10 years old, he was put into foster care. How do I know this? In the 1970s, we were cleaning out the garage at my grandmother's house. My great-aunt had lived with my grandmother from about 1958 until she passed away in 1972. Her belongings had been stored in the back of the garage. There wasn't much of value, but as I was sorting through things, I found an old tin box. Inside the box was a bundle of letters. I looked at a couple then, and realized they were all from her son to her, spanning the 1930s into the 1940s. I kept the letters and when we had time, my husband and I read every single one of them. It was wrenching. He strove to have a relationship with his mother. He accomplished so many things, from running in races, to serving in the military to putting himself though art school and having a successful career as a commercial artist. She kept the letters. He moved around a lot, especially while he served in the military, and she saved every one of his addresses. He mentioned in letters that he had heard from her, but as far as I know, she never acknowledged him outside of our family. She never married. My parents mentioned that she had had 'brain fever' as a young woman and she was always kind of odd. She was always good to us kids and we loved when she came to visit.

He maintained a relationship with my family. I remember that when I was very young, he came to visit for holidays. I have a feeling he finally realized that he was not going to get an acknowledgement of his existence from his mother, or love, and went her own way. As time goes on, the letters seem to express, one way or another, his frustration as he tried to move his family to accept him.

I was scanning some family pictures yesterday. I didn't recognize anyone in a particular picture, and that moved me to check some dates on Family Search. It was a little challenging, but I got some information about him. It is possible that he might be in the picture, but I will have to do some further checking.

When we first found these letters in the 1970s, I wanted to write a novel and incorporate his letters into the story. It was overwhelming. I got the letters out last night, to see if there was a birth certificate, and even glancing at a couple of the letters brought back the feelings that this man was special. In spite of his family, he achieved a great deal and found it in him to share his abilities. I still think that his story should be shared, just to vindicate him.

He passed away in 1975. I imagine his widow is passed by now. I think he had 3 children. His family didn't keep in touch. I reached out after my grandmother passed away, but it was probably too little, too late. Should I let the letters stay in the drawer? Should I try to work something out? I guess just describing in general here is a start.

What would you do? Thank you for ideas.