The beginning

So... through the power if Facebook... I was able to come accross this photo courtesy of Karel Ann Blake Beck... my father, Ken Smiths cousin....  with this photi she shared a bit if family history on Edward Blake, Nell's grandfather... and his history.
When I get out of church, I will update this and spell out the brief history that she shared.

To Nellie- From Mrs RH Conagly

Bobby has wrote this letter for me as he says I'm, terrible

at writing But you'll get the laugh at his writing

Dear Nellie,

I was awful glad to hear from you again, and I hope you  & your husband are keeping well at the present. I have got another son now Nellie, He was born on the 16th of April. He was 10 lbs when born. I got over it very easily, we call him after his Grandfather, Joey. Of course as you know enclose photos on of wee Bobby. He is coming three on November he is a great kid too. My husband has been idle this last four months past but is expecting to start soon again. I hope Bob is still working yet, I am glad to know that you are happily married. I think think it is great Nellie I just saw Fred Thomson married the other night to a nice girl called Cathy Clark. She was lovely dressed in white satin and well they have got a house round the corner from us, Well Nellie I have not much news this time. Amy McClellan was asking for you, this is my weeding group and I would like you to sent it back again as it is the only one I have but I will get one taking of it and send it to you.

Well, Nellie, don't think it cheeky of me asking but if you have any old casting offs to share I would be glad of them or me by some kids clothes they have lovely things out there and I would only be glad to send anything you wished, Well Nellie I would just love to see you and your husband comming over here for a holiday.  You could stay with us and we would have some great times together.  Nellie, I can hardly imagine us married and a Family, I hope you get over your confinement all right. Over here you get everything Free when you are expecting.  Clothes and nurse and everything. Free, if you are unemployed It is a great Idea the work here is still busy. I suppose you have seen the Green Mary. It is a wonderful sight. The people got free passes inside to see through her. Lindsay is still unemployed yet he has a terrible time of it nearly 6 years Idle, he was asking about you. I have been telling all old friends about you been married. Nearly all the girls in Bunard St are married now except Lizzie Meecham. I think she will be an old maid, I will have to draw to a close now, and get Joey a bottle made as he is howling the place down. So cherrio Nellie Give my kindest reguards to your mother and the family, not forgetting Bob your husband. write soon again with love from your old pal Nellie and Bobby wee Bobby and Joey XXXXXXXXXXXX excuse writing is is a terrible pen I am writing with.

Mrs. R.H. Conagly

19 Cordon St

Clydebank 

Scotland

Sunday letter from Mother

7905 E Llellm Wilmar
Sunday
My dear Nell.
Today is my Sunday and I went to church, we are awful crowded in this ward and have to stagger the classes in Sunday School.  I go to the Genealogical class, tell Charles there is new pedigree sheets out and I will fill one up and send it to him.  The teacher we have is our block teacher, he is from Salt Lake and is vert partial to us.  When he comes o the house alone he stays a couple of hours sometimes and talks with Dave about everything under the sun.  Dave says he is Church of England but I am afraid if he went into one it would collapse when they ask him if he would like to come to something with me.  His excuse is "I don't go to my own Church, why should I go to yours."  But he likes me to go which is all right with me. Tuesday I give my lesson and the subject is WM Blake the poet. I think it is going to be pretty hard for me to give it.  Last night we went to see Dave's brother Bill. He used to own a local weekly paper called the Florence Messenger.  He sold it as he is not in good health but still contributes a column has done for over 20 years.  I got the current column from him. Have cut it out and am sending it to you.  It seems it is just the immediate neighborhood he writes about.  He has a hard job to keep up as he has pulsy but his wife types it an he dictates it.  Of course he does not get paid.  I thought this might interest you. Do you find it hard to get things to write about. Nell when I wake up in the night the first thing I think "Is Nell asleep". Then I say "Please Lord give her sleep and rest." It is my constant thought night and day.  God bless you
XX Mother XXXX
XX

Photos- Mostly of Ken Smith

L-R

Bill Lawson, Ken Smith and Betty Lawson

Kenneth Smith- Undated- I'd say MAYBE April?  1950(?)

Front to back, Kenneth Smith, Jan and Ed Reynolds, and Ernistien Wiseman-

Undated- Kenneth Smith (12 yrs old maybe?)

Described as: Taken on x-mas day in front of Alice's house

L-R Bobby Brown and Bill Silver

Cora Ivory Nell Lizzy and Jack at the grave-  **It is thought this may be Nell's fathers Grave making it the grave of Edward Blake**

Kenneth and Paula's dog

Left Picture: Betty Lawson on the bed, and Jean Silver in the Chair
Right Picture:  Joe Silver, Bill Silver, Marlene Silver, Lawrence Carlson, Tyyni Carlson

Kenneth Smith in some undated photos... My GUESS the colored one, circa 1978

Elders Boucha and Wadle Conference Jan 24,25 Springfield MO  These were Charles Smiths Missionary Companions

undated, unidentified people in Nell and Bob's backyard at "The Milmar House"... Aunt Marge- could this be Granny and Ruthie?? or Corrine?

This looks to be a promo photo of some sort.  It has a stamp on the back, for ordering more... 4 for $1.00.  and contact Movie-Land Pix in Honolulu HI... They have been identified as Jean, Ted and Paula.

We suspect this is Christmas... and This is Ken Smith... (obviously giving some stern advice or instructions to someone!)

Thats all for tonight folks-
If you have some more info on any of these photos, please comment- if I got people wrong, please let me know! 

 

6-9-43 Fireside Group

 

6-9-43    Dear Fireside Group:

Can you imagine me writing letters well I didn't until I got in the Navy. "Dear old Navy" and know what it means to receive letters from home.  A person feels sick all over when he doesn't give a dam n (censored) what goes on about him.  Enough of a lecture for now cause I don't like them myself cause I hear one too often.  I have to watch myself or I would be putting in a lot of Navy slang and you wouldn't be able to understand this letter.  I really enjoy the Navy. We are always arguing about one thing or another and the main thing we argue about is states and Calif takes the beating all the time.  Every state in the Union is against Calif for they say that the only thing Calif can produce is fruits and not the kind you eat.  Our food that you civilians wouldn't even feed to your dogs.  If you wnat to learn some stories or even hear some tell stories or even hear some just ask a Sailor and he should be able to tell you a couple.  I am here in Farragut Idaho for 16 week.  Two of them have already past and I'm getting anxious to see what the 16th week will be like.  Their isn't too much studying so far or maybe I just haven't been able to.

**It appears there may be another page somewhere.. if I find it, I will add to this, but for now- it will go unfinished**

England- Dec 20, 1944

Dear Bob and Nell,
Was very glad to get your letter today.  I have a little time right now so I will surprise you by answering right back, which is an unusual occurrence for me.  I usually let it pile up on me for about 6 weeks and then try to catch up.  Am glad to hear that all is well with you. I guess it is still the same old grind for everyone over there.  I wonder if it acts as tiresome there as it does here doing the same old thing all the time.
I really could go for an evening like the bunch of us had at the apartment that night.  I'll never forget Harold getting locked in the bathroom.  All in all I guess we consumed quite a lot that night.  I can remember quite a few good times all of us had together and I must confess that Maxies wasn't one of them.  I was just thinking about that yesterday.  I don't recall what any of the rest did, (at least nothing for them to feel foolish about) But I distinctly remember making a great sap out of myself, so much so, that I am seriously thinking of giving up all thought of drinking in mixed groups.  I remember to my dismay of being a little vulgar that night for no very good reason.  You are quite right I would rather forget that.
I think X-mas will be pretty good for me so far as many things are concerned.  Naturally home would be better but as things stand now I am getting a much better break than I anticipated.  We will have Sat. Sun. and Mon off which is bad at all considering how tough a good many thousand other fellows are having it.  I am wondering about Dick- He is probably plenty busy with all the activity there is in the Pacific.  Here's hoping he has lots of good luck.  I guess there are a lot of boys from Hayward out that way over there. I think I am going to take my liberty on New Years and meet my nephew in London.  I have been trying ever since I got over here to do that and this looks like my first chance.
Well folks this is a short letter but I guess it will have to do for now as I just can't find any thing more to write.  So long for now and here's wishing you a new year of joy, happiness and lots of success.
As ever
Ellis

V-Mail To Robert B Smith From R.W. Nelson Feb 14,1944

Dear Nell & Bob,
How are you coming with the home front? I hope you are drinking a beer for me once in a while because I am not getting much.  We spend too much time traveling and not enough time in port.
It looks like most of the guesses I made about the war weren't very good.  I hope we can get together and make some new ones.
It is plenty warm here, in more ways than one. Send me Ellison, "address".
-Dick

TO: Mr Robert B Smith
22384 North 3rd St
Hayward Calif

From R.W. Nelson F.C. 2/6
Z.S.S.Swanson
2Fleet P.O. San Fransisco
calif