This morning when I was at my Grandma's she told me she'd found something exciting, that I was going to love. I guessed it was something to do with the family tree, but I had no idea what it would be exactly. What she produced was incredible. She had been looking for a necklace in my late Grandfather's drawer and found a letter folded up...but it wasn't just any old paper letter. It was a copper letter, from the copper mine in Butte, Montana.
It was dated 28th September 1933, and was from my Great Great Uncle Daniel, to my Great Grandfather (Daniel's brother) Frederick. It also has a small message from Dan and Fred's sister Frances on it, as Frances and her family lived near Daniel in America. We have been researching the family tree for many years now, and I have taken an active role since I was seven years old. It's always been important to me to find out who I am and where I've come from, and I love the rush of adrenaline and excitement you get when you find out something new.
Just to hold an 80 year old letter in my hands, that was written by one of my ancestors, was incredible. It even has their fingerprints very clearly on it! It's very difficult to read, but here are some photos;
Just in case you can't read it, it says;
'Dear Fred
Just a copper souvenir from Butte, the greatest mining camp on Earth. Here on business & pleasure & visiting Frances and the family.
Sincerely
Dan Lux'
The bottom part says;
'Harry Bertrand'
'Kenneth Bertrand'
'Hello Freddie and Minnie, from Frances'
(So I'm guessing they signed their names at the bottom of Dan's letter as a kind of 'Hello/from all of us' thing.)
Anyone know anything about these letters or the copper mines in Butte?!
EDIT: We have now found Harry Bertrand's children and grandchildren in the US (our second and third cousins), and are in regular contact with them! Amazing!
Anyone know anything about these letters or the copper mines in Butte?!
EDIT: We have now found Harry Bertrand's children and grandchildren in the US (our second and third cousins), and are in regular contact with them! Amazing!