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| Cheshire County, New Hampshire |
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| The view from the summit of Mt. Monadnock |
Irene's letter and photograph are some of my very favorites. Imagine a five or six year old being taller than her pony! And I wonder if “Ray” ever did learn to say his prayers.
If you have done any genealogical research there is one thing that you learn very quickly, the records are sometimes wrong. There can be inconsistencies in the spelling of names and places, and occasionally the dates just don't seem right. I found some of these questionable records while researching the Brooks family.
Irene's father, Charles, was born in 1852, and her mother, Elizabeth, was born in either 1862 or 1872. Since Irene's birth year is in 1908, her father was 56 when she was born and her mother was either 36 or 46 years of age at the time.
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| Irene Brooks & "Ray" |
In the 1910 census, along with Irene (2 yrs. old) and her parents, is listed a boarder named Carlos Messinger, age six. In the 1920 census, Carlos apparently has been adopted by the Brooks family. His name has been shortened to Carl, but he has lost four years and is now the same age as Irene! Which date is right? I don't know, since I can find no other records for Carl after 1920.
Irene married when she was twenty years old. Her husband's name was Lawrence P. West and he was nineteen at the time of their marriage. In the 1930 census the couple is living with Lawrence's aunt and they have no children.
I cannot find death records for either Irene or Lawrence. Perhaps they are both still alive? At 104 and 103, although unlikely, it is still possible.
Irene's short letter and photo is on page 63 of The Farmer's Wife Pony Club Sampler Quilt.
Irene's short letter and photo is on page 63 of The Farmer's Wife Pony Club Sampler Quilt.
