Seven years ago I wrote about the kindness of a genealogist from across the country that sent me the long-lost Bible and four journals of my 1st cousin, Ransom Ferdinand Smith (1864-1940), who lived in Woodstock, New Hampshire.
To learn the details of this story, about the kindness of a stranger who returned these items to me through a serendipitous chain of events, read my 2012 article: Genealogy Serendipity: Ancestor’s Bible & Journals Returned to Family
Well, it’s happened again.
Today I received two of Ransom Smith’s diaries and a small book that he received as a Christmas gift in 1879.
Wow. Very kind of her to send these to us.
And look at these details, from his October 1927 diary.
- 9 October 1927: “We sat up with Herbert at night.”
- 10 October 1927: “Herbert seems about the same very sick.”
- 11 October 1927: “Herbert has not much change.”
And then the news.
- 12 October 1927: “Herbert past away 20 min after twelve to night.” [i.e., on 13 October 1927]
- 13 October 1927: “Rainy. We are brave as possible.”
- 14 October 1927: “Made plans for funeral.”
- 15 October 1927: “Herbert was laid at rest, flowers were lovely. We took him to Woodstock.”
Herbert was their son, Alfred Herbert Smith (1897-1927). So, they called him Herbert.
He was buried in Woodstock Cemetery in Woodstock, New Hampshire.
But for the kindness of another, we would not have these diaries.
It’s a great day for genealogy!