Jools mckenna Posted 6 April , 2018 Share Posted 6 April , 2018 (edited) I bought recently 3 letters from eBay and don't have a clue what they say. All know is the units. Letter 1) Edited 6 April , 2018 by Jools mckenna Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jools mckenna Posted 6 April , 2018 Author Share Posted 6 April , 2018 (edited) Letter 2) Edited 6 April , 2018 by Jools mckenna Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coldstreamer Posted 6 April , 2018 Share Posted 6 April , 2018 was he a doctor ? I can speak some German but dont recognise or cant read any of it - except the printed bits Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jools mckenna Posted 6 April , 2018 Author Share Posted 6 April , 2018 Letter 3) 1 minute ago, Coldstreamer said: was he a doctor ? I can speak some German but dont recognise or cant read any of it - except the printed bits Same and in life these are tiny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWK Posted 6 April , 2018 Share Posted 6 April , 2018 Well, letter nr 1 starts with "Mein lieber Frauchen!" , My dearest wifey!, so that clears up your earlier thread on who he was writing to ("Celle" and "Raach" made me think "Hey, that sounds familiar"... :-) ) And I'm always amazed by how they address these cards/letters: Kurrent/German cursive and Latin cursive change it up like there's no tomorrow. Spot the differences: Anyway, I'll have a try. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jools mckenna Posted 6 April , 2018 Author Share Posted 6 April , 2018 26 minutes ago, JWK said: Well, letter nr 1 starts with "Mein lieber Frauchen!" , My dearest wifey!, so that clears up your earlier thread on who he was writing to ("Celle" and "Raach" made me think "Hey, that sounds familiar"... :-) ) And I'm always amazed by how they address these cards/letters: Kurrent/German cursive and Latin cursive change it up like there's no tomorrow. Spot the differences: Anyway, I'll have a try. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coldstreamer Posted 6 April , 2018 Share Posted 6 April , 2018 well Im impressed - I still cant see that translation!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWK Posted 7 April , 2018 Share Posted 7 April , 2018 Crikey, not the easiest of handwritings (for me at least)! And I was sort of expecting a lovey-dovey letter to his wife, how he misses her so much etc etc In fact it's a lament about him not receiving any letters, and he's pondering whether to ask questions in Parliament Anyway, my (quite a few missing words, but it's a start) transciption of letter nr 1: Mein lieber Frauchen! Ja, nun weiss ich aber bald nicht mehr was eigentlich los ist, dass ich keinen Nachricht bekomme. [Was mir lingt?] eine Zeitung mit den Verhandelingen im Reichstag. Dieselben Aussagen leze ich auch meinen Weibi vor. Aussage von Raach, [...bild.] Schule 1 Weiss mein Frauchen, dass ich seit 10 Tagen keine Nachricht habe ? 2 Ist es meinen Frauchen bekannt [das] überhaupt am vorigen Sonntag [abend?] in der Wache ein brief von mich abgesant ist? 3 Was gedenktst du zu tun, diesem [....] da abzuhohlen? [...] [...] muss gemacht werden, [...] Wie konnte es, dass ich kein Briefchen erhalte, ich nehme an dass es verloren gegangen ist. Ich habe auch schon 5 Tagen kein Zeitung bekommen, nun leb[...], auf baldiges Wiedersehen. Dein Fr. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jools mckenna Posted 7 April , 2018 Author Share Posted 7 April , 2018 Ha, hope itsn't just him moaning about not getting his papers for 5-6 pages in letters 2-3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jools mckenna Posted 7 April , 2018 Author Share Posted 7 April , 2018 @JWK What is his rank Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWK Posted 7 April , 2018 Share Posted 7 April , 2018 @Jools mckenna Offizier Stellvertreter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hedgehog14 Posted 7 April , 2018 Share Posted 7 April , 2018 This letter I believe was written in what I call "Old German" taught prior to "20's in Germany. You will need to some old timers on this issue as the German language has transformed over the years Can't quite tell here but for someone interested in Postal History as it applies to letters/covers sent from all soldiers during WWI this is a great piece ~ censor marks, battalion regiment are well identified ~ almost looks like a diary or sorts but one part of scans sure looks like a "folded letter" or form of sorts Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jools mckenna Posted 7 April , 2018 Author Share Posted 7 April , 2018 12 minutes ago, JWK said: @Jools mckenna Offizier Stellvertreter Thanks. 11 minutes ago, Hedgehog14 said: This letter I believe was written in what I call "Old German" taught prior to "20's in Germany. You will need to some old timers on this issue as the German language has transformed over the years Can't quite tell here but for someone interested in Postal History as it applies to letters/covers sent from all soldiers during WWI this is a great piece ~ censor marks, battalion regiment are well identified ~ almost looks like a diary or sorts but one part of scans sure looks like a "folded letter" or form of sorts Letters 2-3 are booklets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWK Posted 7 April , 2018 Share Posted 7 April , 2018 (edited) Here are the first two pages of letter nr 2. About not receiving letters, and expensive butter. And Sara turned 27 on 23rd January 1918. Again some missing words. Someone can fill those in no doubt. Mein liebe, besorgte Gattin ! Wie mich dein heutiges brief vom 18.1 belehbt, bist du seit Tagen ohne Nachricht. Verstehe das nicht, ich schreibe dich jeden 2ten Tag. Solange ich in Stellung war, ... täglich. Die Post geht wohl so langsam. Denke dich, dass du inzwischen einige meiner briefe und Karten erhalten hast. Während sich mein Liebster zu haus über mein Wohlergehen [....], lasse ich es mit ein guten Quartier wohl sein. Habe mir gestern bier und 1 pfund butter gekauft. Letzter kostet 10 [..] blödsinnig teuer. Das [...] muss zu leben. Morgen hat mein [....] Weibchen ihren 27 geburtstag, es sollte mir seht weh tun wenn du bisher noch keine nachrichte hättest, und diesen Tag ebenfalls unterfangen und [bezorgen verleben wünschet?] Edited 7 April , 2018 by JWK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWK Posted 8 April , 2018 Share Posted 8 April , 2018 Page 3 and 4 of letter nr 2 I just can't warm to his handwriting. Or to his style for that matter: more moaning about the slow post, and then suddenly thrown in something about his/a "Bübchen" ("Little boy", so they have a baby son?) he's happy about the boy's well-being, and being spoilt by his grandmother, and then he again goes on about writing letters. And he's been promoted to "Head of Transport" with 55 horses, wagons etc to look after. Anyway, I won't have much time the next few days, so hopefully someone can take over (and correct the mistakes/omissions in my transcription) Ich schreibe doch wahrlich genug. Wenn die Post so langsam geht, dafur kann ich ja nicht. Da ein grossen Anzug (?) bringt allerlei Starkungen mit sich. Die Post musste ja auch sicher ziehen. Uber Bübchens kräftige Entwickelung freue ich mich, dass sein grosmutter ihr verhätschelt, kann ich mir wohl (deuten?). [can’t read this sentence] Ergestern sandte ich an Mary die Nachricht von IR74 dabei ein kurzer bieschen von dir. Gestern schrieb ich die wieder einen brief. Nun mist du auch wohl der Paket nr 2. Also besondere Geburtstagsfeier teil ich dir mit, dass ich von 23 ab zur bagage als führer Kommandant bin. Endlich mal aus der fruh heraus. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jools mckenna Posted 16 April , 2018 Author Share Posted 16 April , 2018 (edited) @JWK Ok, and thanks for the help so far! Edited 3 January , 2019 by Jools mckenna Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jools mckenna Posted 4 January , 2019 Author Share Posted 4 January , 2019 Just bumping this thread up, just in case someone can help translate these. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaureenE Posted 4 January , 2019 Share Posted 4 January , 2019 See a previous post by charlie2 "There is a group of OAPs in Hamburg who will transcribe documents for donation. http://www.suetterlinstube-hamburg.de " Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jools mckenna Posted 17 February , 2019 Author Share Posted 17 February , 2019 (edited) Just got them transcribed, thanks Maureene. Im Quartier, 22/1 18. Meine liebe, besorgte Gattin! Wie mich Dein heutiger Brief vom 18.1. belehrt, bist Du seit Tagen ohne Nachricht. Verstehe das nicht, ich schreibe doch jeden 2. Tag. Solan- ge ich in Stellung war, doch täglich. Die Post geht wohl so langsam. Denke doch, daß Du inzwischen einige meiner Briefe und Karten erhalten hast. Während sich mein Liebstes zu Hause über mein Wohlergehen grämt, lasse ich es mir im guten Quartier wohl sein. Habe mir gestern Eier u. 1 Pfund Butter gekauft. Letztere kostet 10 M. Blödsinnig teuer. Doch man muß ja leben. Morgen hat mein braves Weibchen ihren 27. Geburtstag, es sollte mir sehr wehe tun, wenn Du bisher noch keine Nachricht hättest, und diesen Tag ebenfalls unter Hangen und Bangen verleben müßtest. Ich schreibe doch wahrlich genug. Wenn die Post so langsam geht, dafür kann ich ja nicht. So ein großer Umzug bringt allerlei Stockungen mit sich. Die Post mußte ja auch hieher ziehen. Über Bübchens kräftige Entwi- ckelung freue ich mich, daß seine Großmutter ihn verhätschelt, kann ich mir wohl denken. Mutter hat ja auch ein schweres Los zu tragen. Vorgestern sandte ich an Mary die Nachricht von J.R 74. Dabei ein kurzes Briefchen von Dir. Gestern schrieb ich Dir wieder einen Brief. Nun wirst Du auch wohl das Paket N 2. Wurst u. Leinen erhalten haben. Ebenso das mit Seife. Als besondere Geburtstagsfreude teile ich Dir mit, daß ich vom 23. ab zur Bagage als Führer kom- mandiert bin. Endlich mal aus der Front heraus. Zwar habe ich eine große Verantwortung über 55 Pferde, dazu die Wagen u. Mannschaften, werde mich aber da schon einarbeiten. Deinetwegen, Schatzi freue ich mich am meisten, nun kannst Du bedeutend ruhiger sein. Ein schönes Pferdchen habe ich auch. Hier ists seit einigen Tagen auch Tauwetter. Schnee gibts nichts allzuviel, aber Regen- wasser. Gräbt man ½ m. tief in die Erde, kommt schon Grund- wasser. Über Durst werden diejenigen, die ihr Leben hier lassen mußten, nicht zu klagen haben. Wie Du schreibst, steht bei Euch viel Wasser? Du hast meine Schuhe schon durchgelaufen? Ja, passen sie Dir denn überhaupt? Laß sie nur kaput, später kann sie mir die Kammer heil machen. Meine langen Stiefel kommen mir hier sehr gut zu Paß. Sonst gehts mir sehr gut. Sei Du Liebste bitte ganz ohne Sorge um mich. Denke doch, daß Du jetzt Nachricht von mir hast. Trude hat am 31. Geburtstag. Sende Dir u. Bubi die süßesten Küßchen die je ein liebender Gatte u. Vater fähig ist und viele Grüße auch an Mutter [rechts am Rand:] und Mary Dein Gatte u. Vater Fr. – 31. 1. 18. Iniggeliebte Gattin u. Bubi! Heute glaubte ich bestimmt ein Briefchen von Dir, Geliebte zu erhalten. Da Du nicht schriebst, ist keine Antwort auch eine Antwort. Wenn in unseres Lieblings Zustand eine Verschlimmerung eingetreten wäre, hättest Du es mir doch wohl geschrieben. Immerhin schreibe ich zwischen Hangen und Bangen, was mir der nächste Tag bringen wird. weiß ich ja, aber in solchem Falle könntest Du mir doch wohl kurze Nachricht, und sei es nur 1 Karte zukommen lassen. Weißt doch, wie ich mich um Euch Beiden sorge. Es mag ja auch etwas Besserung eingetreten sein. Jedenfalls, wenn Du, Schatzi am Sonntag geschrieben hast, müßte ich spätestens doch Freitag Nachricht haben. Mir gehts recht gut. Am 29. bin ich mit meinem Gaul gestürzt. Beide haben wir uns im Sande gewälzt, ohne Schaden zu nehmen. Mit dem Reiten gehts ganz gut. Werde wohl in nächster Zeit im Pferdelazarett einen Kursus mitmachen müssen zum Erlernen der Pferde- krankheiten. Die Witterung war letzte Tage sehr gut. Die Sonne schien so schön warrn. Heute war es wieder kalter Nebel. Vom Schießen hört man wenig, es ist gerade, als ob in weiter Ferne ein Gewitter wäre, als ob weit, weit weg der Donner grollt. Wir werden wohl noch etliche Wochen hier bleiben. Ists ja auch ganz gut. Von Hause habe ich auch schon 1 Woche keine Nachricht mehr. Heute hat Trude Geburtstag. Inzwischen werden auch Marys Bri u. Dein Brief mit den Bildern angekom- men sein. Hatte in jeden Brief 4 Bilder gesteckt. Wie siehts denn zu Hause und am Krankenbette unseres Bübchens aus? In Deutschland ist ja auch allerhand Unruhe und Skan- dal, es nützt denen ja alles nichts. Gewiß, die Verpflegung könnte ja überall besser sein. Es ist aber eben alles knapp. Sonst nichts von Bedeutung. Hoffe, daß Dich, Liebste dieser Brief bei bestem Wohlsein, und unsern Bubi auf dem Wege der Besserung antreffen wird. Schließe mit süßen Küßchen nebst Gruß an Mutter u. Mary Euer Euch stets liebender Gatte u. Vater. Edited 17 February , 2019 by Jools mckenna Hopefully it should stay in German this time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWK Posted 17 February , 2019 Share Posted 17 February , 2019 Quote - 31. 1. 18. Iniggeliebte wife u. Bubi! Today I certainly believed Letters from you, mistress too receive. Oh dear. I heartily applaud their willingness to transcribe Sütterlin/Kurrent/whatever-you-call it, but they should make it clear it's for German speakers only. To then throw their German transcription through an online translator "so the English are happy" surely is not the way forward! My interpretation: Dearly beloved wife and "Bubi" ("Little boy") Today I was sure I'd receive a letter from you, my dearest (And it's "inniggeliebte", not "iniggeliebte".....) I'll have a retry in the following days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jools mckenna Posted 17 February , 2019 Author Share Posted 17 February , 2019 (edited) 12 minutes ago, JWK said: Oh dear. I heartily applaud their willingness to transcribe Sütterlin/Kurrent/whatever-you-call it, but they should make it clear it's for German speakers only. To then throw their German transcription through an online translator "so the English are happy" surely is not the way forward! My interpretation: Dearly beloved wife and "Bubi" ("Little boy") Today I was sure I'd receive a letter from you, my dearest (And it's "inniggeliebte", not "iniggeliebte".....) I'll have a retry in the following days. They didn't translate it and I should've posted it on this thread in German(is it in German for you?). Edited 17 February , 2019 by Jools mckenna Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWK Posted 17 February , 2019 Share Posted 17 February , 2019 10 minutes ago, Jools mckenna said: They didn't translate it and I should've posted it on this thread in German(is it in German for you?). Nów it shows in German! I took that quote from what I saw on my screen just 17 minutes ago! Does this board have some inbuilt translation device or something? Anyway, strange things are happenin' (cue some eerie music) I'll attempt a translation shortly. (if I'm not beaten to the post by another boardmember!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWK Posted 24 February , 2019 Share Posted 24 February , 2019 (edited) First letter: Quote My dear, worried wife! As I learnt from your letter which I received today you haven’t had any news from me for days. I don’t understand. I dó write every 2nd day. When I was in position [on the front line] even every day. The mail is so slow. I do hope that you have at least received some of my letters and cards by now. While my beloved at home frets about my wellbeing, I live it up in my billets. Bought eggs and 1 pound of butter yesterday. The latter cost me 10 Marks. Impossibly expensive, but you have to live. Tomorrow my brave little wife celebrates her 27th birthday. It would hurt me very much if you haven’t received any news from me by then, and you’d have to spend the day between hope and fear. I do write often enough. I can’t help it the mail goes so slowly. Large relocations often cause stagnation but the mail really should be prepared for that. The little boy’s vibrant development enjoys me very much, and that his grandmother spoils him can only be expected. His mother has to carry a heavy burden after all.. Yesterday I sent Mary the news from IR74, with a short letter from you. Yesterday I wrote you a letter again. By now you should have received Packet nr 2, with sausages and linen. As well as the one with soap. [Why is hé sending hér packets of foodstuffs? Shouldn’t that be the other way around?] As a special birthday gift I can announce that I have been appointed commander. Finally away from the front. I take on responsibility for 55 horses, plus carts and men. Have to get to grips with that. You can be a lot calmer now, my sweetie. I already have a beautiful horse. Here thaw has set in, not much snow at all, but lots of rain. You only have to dig ½ a metre before you hit groundwater. Those who had laid down their lives here won’t complain about getting thirsty. As you wrote: is there a lot of water with you? Have you worn in my shoes already? And: do they actually fit you? Don’t have them mended, the cobbler can mend them later. My tall boots are all I need here. Please, darling, don’t worry about me. Just enjoy you now have news from me. Trude’s birthday is the 31st. I send you and Bubi (“little boy”) the sweetest kisses a loving husband and father is capable of giving, and many greetings to mother (and Mary) Your husband and father Fr. Edited 24 February , 2019 by JWK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jools mckenna Posted 24 February , 2019 Author Share Posted 24 February , 2019 (edited) 9 hours ago, JWK said: First letter: Thanks again Jwk. Quote [Why is hé sending hér packets of foodstuffs? Shouldn’t that be the other way around?] Perhaps it was easier to get that sort of stuff in France or Belgium than Germany because of the massive blockade around it. Also, I believe sausages were banned in Germany because of the need of animal intestines for Zeppelins. Edited 24 February , 2019 by Jools mckenna Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWK Posted 24 February , 2019 Share Posted 24 February , 2019 2nd letter: Quote Dearly beloved wife and Bubi [babyboy]! Today I certainly believed I’d receive a letter from you, dearest. The fact you don’t write, no reply is also a reply. You could have just written me if something in our relation had changed. Anyway I keep on writing, living in hope and fear for what the next day will bring me. I already know, but in such a case you could at least send me a short letter, or just 1 postcard. Know that I care for you both. Maybe things are a bit better now. In any case, if you, dearest, had written me on Sunday then I should have received your letter latest on Friday. I’m still doing well. On the 29th I fell with my horse. We both ended up in the sand, luckily no injuires. Riding goes very well these days. I will be attending a course in the horses’ lazarett shortly, to learn about horse’s illnesses. The weather is really good here the last few days. The sun shone brightly and warm.Today it’s again cold and misty. You don’t hear much of the shooting here. It is like there’s a thunderstorm in the distance, as if the thunder rumbles far far away. We will be staying here for several weeks., which is great. I haven’t had a message from [Hause : does he mean his parents? Or a person named Hause?] for a week. Today it’s Trude’s birthday. In the mean time Mary’s and your letter with the photos will have arrived. Put 4 photos in each letter. How are things at home, and at the sickbed of our little boy? There’s a lot of unrest and scandal in Germany at the moment, but that doesn’t help you. Certainly, the food could be better anywehere. But it is all in short supply. Nothing further of importance. Hope that you, my dearest, will receive this letter in the best of health, and that our little boy will be on the road to full recovery soon. I close with sweet kisses. Best regards to mother and Mary. Your always loving husband and father. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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