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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Somerset => Topic started by: Kim Jindra on Sunday 10 June 12 07:05 BST (UK)
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I have recovered letters written to my aunt in 1945
from Elaine Sims in Taunton, Somerset, England. My aunt has
been dead since 2007. Elaine mentions my dad (died 1983)
and uncle (died 2009). Anyone remember her or her family?
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HI Kim,
Welcome to Rootschat - lots of friendly people and help around here!!
I wonder if it would be a good idea to mention Taunton and Somerset in your title for this thread!
Get the locals interested .
Wiggy :)
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There you go!
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Thank you! Very inspired!
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Ummmm - ;) ;)
Actually Kim, you have to do it yourself or it doesn't show - you need to go back to your original post and modify the heading/title there! It doesn't show up otherwise - only on Diplodicus's post
Wiggy :D
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Thanks! I'm new to all this! Guess that's obvious.
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That's better!!! Even better if you said Taunton Somerset - so it doesn't get confused with Taunton in other parts of the world!! But Taunton is definitely a step forward! :D :D
I belonged to the Cornwall Historical society - for a brief period - I wonder if it is worth writing to them and asking them to put an ad in their magazine, asking if anyone knew this lady? Google Cornwall Family History Society
or email secretary@cornwallfhs.com
Wiggy :)
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Welcome to rootschat Kim. :)
Is there an address at the top of Elaine's letters?
Is there any indication of her age at the time?
Is there mention of whether of not she is married - is Sims her married or maiden name?
Does she write as though she is a friend of, and the same age as, your Aunt?
You may be able to locate Elaine (and family?) in old telephone directories.
Is your aim to contact living descendants of Elaine?
(In addition to Wiggy's suggestion to mention Taunton Somerset in your title, it may also be worth mentioning the surname Sims ... anyone doing a google search of these key names will get this rootschat post in their results ;) ... something like "Elaine Sims 1945 Taunton Somerset")
[Wiggy, would Cornwall be the right place for a query about Taunton in Somerset :-\]
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Excellent idea Ruskie!
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Yes I have a complete address. The handwriting is faded but from
one letter it sounds like she is living with her mother. She doesn't mention her age. But she has a 9.5 shoe size! I'll change the heading again.
I would like to contact her family. I'm very curious about her.
She could have been married but she doesn't mention a husband.
The historical society is an excellent suggestion.
Thanks! You both have helped me already!
Kim
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Her husband may have been away at war of course. ;) Was your Aunt married at the time?
If I were you I would extract all the facts from the letters and get it all down on paper. Even the tiniest detail might lead to something:
Estmate years and places of birth
Any mentions of relatives names ages and places of birth and their relationship to Elaine
Addresses
It is up to you but if you wish to let us know all the details we might be able to help you by searching births, deaths and marriages, phone books etc.
I love all the personal details like shoe size. ;) I wonder if shoe sizing was different in 1945, as 9.5 sounds awfully big when women were smaller than they are today. :)
I did a bit of detective work inspired my father in laws war time diaries - I found the house where one of his lady friends lived (looked at it on google street view ;)), he'd mentioned a phone number and I found the same number (with the additon of several digits) right up to the 1960's. I also found out a huge amount of personal information about his favourite lady friend, her ancestry and traced her daughter, her work place and her address in America - scary to be able to find all this stuff so easily online. ;) Needless to say I did nothing with the information but I would love to have the nerve to contact this woman's daughter, but I feel a bit uncomfortably stalker like ...
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Great! I'll do it. I've got an engagement this evening but
will get back to it very soon. I'm in Los Angeles btw.
Thank you! Will share my story with you.
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Look forward to it Kim. I hope I am not promising too much but I will give it a shot. In the meantime, could you tell me the year and place that your Aunt was born?
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She was born in texas or Arkansas in July 1915 - I think.
My dad was born in Arkansas in June 1917. My uncle was
too probably around 1919.
I believe my dad met Elaine in England during the war.
from the letters, it sounds like his dad's sister sent Elaine
stockings, candy and I'm not sure what else. I though 9.5 sounded
Big too! She always inquired about my dad's sister in law too.
Thank you.
Kim
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Might need her name too Kim - your Aunts that is! and her maiden name. And any other names mentioned.
Was the contact mainly through your father?
my grandfather met a nurse in UK, when he was wounded during the war, and he kept in touch with her family all his life - (in fact I went to visit the woman's daughter when I visited UK.)
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Wiggy
Great story. Inspires me to solve my mystery.
Lois Marie Ables married Don Smith.
My dad was James DeWitt Ables Jr. The letters were
sent to my grandmother's house. My dad's brother was
Willis Reaves Ables. My dad worked at the hospital in Taunton.
Kim
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So assuming that Elaine was around the same age as your Aunt, Uncle and father she would be in her mid to late twenties to about 30, so I am wondering if Sims was her married name?
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I've had a quick look on Ancestry births and freebmd, but can't see an obvious Elaine Sim*s ... of course she may have been christened with another first name but preferred to use Elaine. :-\
Kim, did Elaine name her parents in any of these letters?
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It is very possible Elaine is not her real name.
In one letter she apologized for not signing her name.
I thought that was a bit odd. And I think it is
possible she was or had been married to an English soldier.
It is late here but I will look at the letters carefully
for more clues. She talks a lot about rationing and prices.
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Going to be tricky if it isn't her real name -
- but if your father was over there, it is possible some other people may remember his name and be able to trace her from through his name!
Good luck!!
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How many letters are there? And are the letters very long? I am just wondering if scanning and posting them here would be feasible? Or perhaps a general summary? Or, a the very least, just facts you can extract, as I mentioned earlier. :) Look forward to learning more ... :)
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Or even posting just one so someone may recognise handwriting!
Wiggy :)
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If you have an address, electoral registers may have the details.
http://www1.somerset.gov.uk/archives/Leaflets/ElectoralRegisters.pdf
1945-1973: Arranged alphabetically by polling district, then by parish and ward.
Two columns: electoral number and name and address. Larger parishes/towns
are listed alphabetically by street.
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15 Wedlands or Wodlands Terrace
Cheddar or Cheddon Rd
Taunton, Somerset
I've been looking at her one signature
and her last name might be Tims. Her uppercase
T and S are very similar.
Kim
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There are four letters. The paper is flimsy and ink faded but I can attempt to scan.
I'm afraid ink might bleed through. They are written front/back.
She mentions a Janet and her friend Tom so I'm assuming Janet
is Elaine's friend. They went to Exter ... one cold November day...
She speaks about silk and nylon hose. Did they come in number sizes?
Maybe 91/2 refers to that. She says she does not have small feet.
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I will do some searching for the address .... ;)
I think a scan would be helpful (as Wiggy said, maybe even just one of them), but if the letters are too delicate please don't risk damaging them. But I do think that a scan of her surname plus any other examples of her T's or S's may help us work out her surname. :)
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Well there is a Wedlands (not Terrace or Road, just "Wedlands") which runs off Cheddon Road in Taunton (you can find it on googlemapsuk.
I have also looked at the area on old-maps.co.uk - some of the maps aren't very clear, but the 1961/62 map shows the area more or less the same as today, with the name still just "Wedlands". The 1930 map shows the area only partly developed with housing.
Looking at Wedlands today, some of the houses look 1960's to me, there are some older ones near Cheddon Road, and another row of houses which I am unsure of the era. Houses are very neat and tidy and well kept but look like they may have been council (or public) housing.
Basically Wedlands runs off Cheddon in a large loop and connects back to Cheddon, so I really don't know why the address is Wedlands Terrace, Cheddon Road, unless it is just to identify that Wedlands runs off Cheddon. :-\ You can search for No 15 Wedlands which shows a house which to my eyes looks like it may have been built later than 1945, but I am unsure datewise. Also keep in mind that numbering of houses may have changed since 1945.
Not really much help I'm afraid.
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Actually all that info is a big help. Will trying scanning
the letters this evening. One letter mentions her mother worrying
about my dad. So maybe she lived with her mother.
She also mentions cosmetics and material my aunt
sent to her in 1944. She made a dress with the material.
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Finally getting letters scanned! Anyone know
Ernest Sims or Elsie Plumridge Sims. I think
they are her parents.
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I have had a quick look on Ancestry and Freebmd for this couple but have not been able to narrow down anything definite so far. You would think that with a middle name like Plumridge, Elsie would be easy to find. ;)
I haven't exhausted all possibilities yet but nothing obvious stood out.
I would be grateful for the help of any other rootschatters who wish to get involved in the search.
Kim, what is the context that these two were mentioned? Were they named with those full names? I am just wondering if they may have been some other relatives rather than her parents .... :-\ There are some Ernest Sims around but unless we find one with an Elsie, I'm not sure we'll know which might be the right one.
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I'll send you a PM Kim and Ruskie
Wiggy
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Bit more info via PM
Wiggy
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Just to add a bit more info to this thread:
Wiggy has found some births and marriages which may be these people but not mentioning any names as they may still be living.
She has found marriages of 2 Sims boys to 2 girls - the girls have the same first names (but different surnames), so now we are wondering if one went by the name Elaine in order to distinguish herself from the other one, hence her apology in one of the letters for not signing off using her real name.
Just waiting for Kim to return now. ;)
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Thanks for the update - it's quite exciting!
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Thanks for the update - it's quite exciting!
Yes it is! :) I had no luck at all finding these people on Ancestry or Freebmd, but Wiggy managed to locate them elsewhere.
I'm hoping that one of the couples produced some children. Once again Wiggy has a list of possible children but unfortunately no mother's maiden name to help us to put them into family groups.
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Sorry about not getting back sooner. I guess
The site was jammed last night. I tried for three hours every five
Minutes to get on but just got the page that says busy - keep trying.
I gave up and went to bed. I'm going to attempt to upload a letter.
I haven't read any PMs yet. Will do that now.
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Trying to figure out how to upload this letter. Not having an easy time.
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Not just you Kim - Rootschat was not accessible for several hours yesterday/last night depending on where you are in the world - last evening for you probably!
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Kim, if you are having trouble posting the images of the letters, maybe someone will volunteer to do it for you if you can send them the images via email. (not me though because I'm rubbish at that kind of thing ;))
(by the way, do you mind telling us if you a male Kim or a female Kim? :) -but if you don't want to, that's perfectly fine ;))
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I can help post your letter if you'd like help - or read the posting help at the top of the photograph board - but you don't need to make it as huge as on that board! ;) ;) if you'd like help, PM me your email address!
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Hello
I can't help with your family. However I live in Taunton and can confirm that the local hospital was built during WW2 for American service men.
http://www.tsft.nhs.uk/AboutUs/HistoryofMusgrovePark/tabid/531/Default.aspx
I was told that the hospital was built in expectation of massive injuries as a result of the D Day landings. In the event the casualties were not as severe as expected.
Some of the wards built in the war are still in use and if you walk the corridors you find large prints of old photographs showing american service men at the hospital. Perhaps your relative?
Regards
Suds
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Ahhhh - some local 'knowledge' has joined the thread! :) Good news!
Interesting that some of the wards are still being used. Wouldn't it be great if Kim could find a photo!!
Wiggy
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Suds
My dad worked there through part of the war. He was in
charge of records. Yes, it would be very cool to see a picture
of him there.
Kim
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Kim
It's a bit late to participate in this session:
http://www.tsft.nhs.uk/News/LatestPressReleases/2008/March2008/DoYouRememberTheStartOfTheNHS/tabid/1146/Default.aspx
but it might be worth emailing the lady (Lucy Hobbs) to see if she can shed any light for you.
Regards
Suds
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Thank you! I'll check it out and let you know.
Kim
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I have recovered letters written to my aunt in 1945
from Elaine Sims in Taunton, Somerset, England. My aunt has
been dead since 2007. Elaine mentions my dad (died 1983)
and uncle (died 2009). Anyone remember her or her family?
Long shot, but I've found this by doing a Google search for information on my late grandfather,Ernest Sims, my grandmother is his wife, Elsie.
He was Elaine's father and I am her son.
From what I have read in this thread, I'm absolutely certain it's the right family line.
If Kim sees this, please reply! There seems to be no contact information in Kims profile from what I can see unfortunately.
I'll keep an eye on the thread for a while.
I would be delighted to help in any way I can.
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Oooh How exciting - I do hope Kin looks in again soon!!
This happened to me a few years ago - someone popped in from the ether to answer some questions - very good news!
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Oooh How exciting - I do hope Kin looks in again soon!!
I hope so too Wiggy, with a bit of luck, she may get an email notification of my reply....
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This is Kimberly. I'm delighted to hear from you.
My email address is (*) I have so many questions.
Hope to correspond soon.
Kimberly
(*) Moderator Comment: e-mail removed in accordance with RootsChat policy,
to avoid spamming and other abuses.
Please use the Personal Message (PM) system for exchanging personal data.
New members must make at least three postings before being allowed to use the PM facility.
See Help-Page: http://www.rootschat.com/help/pms.php
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I can't believe you might be the actual key to our mystery. Is your mother still alive? I'd love to ask you some questions but can't leave my email address. The site took it down. Hope to communicate with you and compare information. I'm so excited. My sister and cousins are too.
Kim
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I can't believe you might be the actual key to our mystery. Is your mother still alive? I'd love to ask you some questions but can't leave my email address. The site took it down. Hope to communicate with you and compare information. I'm so excited. My sister and cousins are too.
Kim
Hi Kim, I hope I am the key your looking for, from re-reading the thread I'd say it's highly likely I could well be!
Yes, my mum is still alive and well. She's ironically currently in Taunton as today (20/08) is my Grandmother's (Elsie's) birthday!
Elsie is still alive although she lives in a care home these days, my grandfather passed away unfortunately in 2003.
I presume Jindra is your married name? I've not yet mentioned this to my mum but I assume if I was to do so,she would remember you from a previous (maiden) name?
I've now made three posts in this thread, I guess from the comment above that should hopefully allow you to send me a PM personal message....?
My name is Paul.
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Hello
I know that this is an old thread. However I just came aware of some photographs on facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1223464951033555&set=pcb.1071113866319687&type=3&theater
If you can see this, it is a group picture of American service men at the hospital. Your father may be amongst them.
Suds
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Unfortunately the link is not allowing me to see the pictures. So disappointing.
Thank you for trying to help.
Kimberly AblesJindra
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Aah booo!
Another thing to try maybe. If you have access to facebook there is a group called:
OLD PICTURES OF TAUNTON IN SOMERSET
Now, I don't have a facebook account so I can't tell you how to get there. The photographs were pointed out to me by my wife.
I've captured one of the pictures and attached it but there are more. copyright image removed
regards
Suds
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Thank you again! I'll check it out. Tomorrow is thanksgiving here and I've been busy cooking. Probably will have to wait until Friday since tomorrow is going to be even busier. The picture is great I need to search it carefully. I'll let you know what I find on FB
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Just read through this, what a great thread. Glad you've been able to find so much out and I hope your father is in the photo.
The 9.5 is a stocking size as it was my mother's size. I regularly went to the shop to get her stockings. Mum took UK shoe size 4.5 or USA size 6.5.
Have a good Thanksgiving. :)
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Hi Kim
Have you by any chance got/ or know who has your aunts birth certificate as it would give her fathers name & her mothers maiden name which would help you to try & trace there marriage using (freebmd) & then you could start at the 1911 census to see if you can find them on that & trace back - it can be a very time consuming hobby but it keeps us off the streets & our minds active :)
All the very best
Phil
Weston-super-Mare