"Flint Michigan
Mar 22. 1917 (Note: it was 1971, she transposed the letters)
Dear Douglas & Kathy: (Note: my grandmother called me Douglas. The rest of my family called me Dougie)
I was glad to get your letter and it is good to know that you are interested in your ancestors. I think your inspiration is wonderful. I am sending you a record of your grandfather when he passed away (Note: she sent the obituary from the Flint Journal which I have copied below). He was born in Geneseeville (this is the modern day town of Genesee) Mich. He liked all kinds of sports. He was a kind man and liked to live in harmony and peace (Note: this is pretty important to me. My message to my kids is that being kind is more important than being smart. I'm very glad to know that my grandfather was a kind man who lived gently and in peaceful harmony with those around him). I was born on a farm in Lapeer (County), Michigan (and) came to Flint in 1908 and worked in a small shop for several years (Note: she didn't put too many periods in the sentences or paragraphs. I think that she worked in a cigar factory; I'll have to search the records for cigar factories in the early 1900's). We were married in 1918 Nov 9 at the Court Street Methodist Church by Howard A. Field (Note: I called the church and they searched their records. There is a gap just during this time period where they have no records. They did say that Howard A. Field was the minister during this period). Your grandfather's religion was Methodist and Christian Science has been my religion for many years (Note: this I remember well. She was a kind and gentle woman herself. She read her Bible regularly. I don't know how I knew about her interest in Christian Science but I absorbed the knowledge somewhere. I wonder if there is some record of her membership?). I did not know your great grandfather he passed away before we were married There is a Family Bible and I believe a niece Ms. (I'm not sure what she wrote here, it looks like "ms" but I am sure it is not; probably Mrs. or Miss) Grandlund has it (Note: the name is not clear. The "Gran" part is clear, but it looks like two letters overlap and then the last four letters are "l" (u, a, or o) then "n" or "r" and ending in clearly a "d". So it could be Grandlund, Grandlard, etc.; too bad it's not clear because the Family Bible would be an important link to the past). I can still see to read the Bible so I guess my eyes aren't too bad. Well Douglas I am sorry I cannot give you all the information you ask for It has been many years since your Grandfather passed away. With lots of love Grandmother Baldwin."