Deep Roots Family Tree Blog

I recently purchased a collection of used postcards from Ebay on a whim with no real plan in mind but it has ended up becoming a very enjoyable process. Scanning the postcard in, editing, organizing, deciphering some of the most unique handwriting, and learning all sorts about people, places, and things that you normally wouldn’t think about.

So here we are. This is the first postcard I picked out of the pack. Sent to a Mrs. Mary L. from Vinton, Virginia to Mrs. Leslie B[unfortunately can’t make out the rest of the surname] in New Hampshire. It is dated February 2nd, 1946.

It reads: Dear friend; I saw your name on a card club list and was hoping you would exchange a view card with me as I haven’t one from your state. I will be glad to send you whatever kind of view card you prefer. I like any kind and will appreciate you exchanging. Sincerely, Mrs. Mary L.

First impression? Writing is super pretty and thankful she wrote in pen. Pencil does not hold up well.

I had to do a little research to make sure I was correct in thinking that the “view card” would go to a “view finder”. I was and you can still buy them off of Ebay for around $50.00.

The postcard was pretty well preserved and the color is still bright and sharp. I took to google to find a picture of the intersection of Jefferson Ave., in Roanoke Va. to compare it to the postcard. Pretty cool!

Without having the sender and the recipients full names, I wasn’t able to look them up on Ancestry or Newspapers.com. Most of the time, nothing comes up, but every once in a while you find a hidden nugget in a newspaper article from the 1920s that makes you re-think what life might have been like for that individual. That’s the fun part. Putting a narrative to the names and places, digging deep into their roots.