When he was seven years old, my great grandpa, Denzil (AKA Dutch), wrote a letter to Santa that was published in the Chronicle Tribune (Marion, Indiana) on December 23.
Thanks to the work of one of the marvelous research librarians at The Marion Public Library, I can now carry his sweet heart on the pulse of my own and share his wishes with future generations as part of the family archives I’m building.
Dutch’s Christmas Wishlist also confirms my understanding of his tough exterior and tender heart.
Dutch’s 1902 Christmas Wishlist:
- A tool chest
- A magic lantern
- A doll for my little sister
Be still my heart!
I mean, really, a doll for his little sister, Ursula?!
The question is:
Was he hoping for the sort of Magic Lantern that carried a wish-granting Genie? Or the newfangled projector sort?
What do you think he was wishing for?
I wish I had a childhood photo of Dutch, but I have yet to find one.
I am blessed, though, with a handful of photos taken when his grandkids were young. The below photo was taken in Chicago right around the Christmas of 1952. The smiling baby in his lap is my mom (born in October of 1952) 🙂
Until the uncovering of the Christmas wishlist, I knew him only through my Grandma Eve’s memories as a rough-around-the-edges but loving father, successful baker, jazz-lover, and anti-racist badass. I can almost see this sweet boy in my imagination, doing his best to be the best son and brother he could possibly be.
The research and documentation of family history is not always an easy road to follow but small tidbits like this are truly moments of magic and add “flesh to the bones” of our ancestors.
Onward,
Melissa (Great Granddaughter of Santa’s Little Friend)
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Thanks for this super charming little holiday story. And that picture with your giggling baby mom? Just the type of heartwarming content the rest of the internet fails to provide. Thank you!
You’re very welcome! I’m glad you enjoyed a little spark of joy <3
Aww that is so sweet. What a lovely story.
Thank you, Hena! I’m so grateful to have it!
That’s awesome that you have that! The little things like this really bring them into full color. I hope Santa didn’t get too warm in the chimneys too. 😁
P.S. Thanks very much for the #TBTBSanta card!
You’re very welcome, Lauren!
I was so pleased to receive this little tidbit from the Librarian!
Hope you’re having a great week!
Love this! I search for my grandparents correspondence, only to find Birthday card with a simple signature, no Love from, or anything sentimental. My greatGParents were not literate, nor savers of tokens or photos beyond those that filled a few table top frames for 40 yrs.
I completely understand. There are many pieces of my family puzzle that have yet to be found (or simply don’t exist). Little tidbits like this make those gaps feels a little less pervasive 🙂 Are you continuing your search?
That is so sweet! AND amazing that you got to read his wish list!
It’s one of my favorite finds 🙂
What a sweet story! 🙂 And your mom looked like such a happy baby. Thanks for sharing this charming tale. Wishing you and your family a Happy Holiday season. 🎄
Thank you, Debbie! I adore how happy my mom looks! I have a second photo of Dutch holding my mom and she’s equally happy which further validates my belief that he truly had a good heart (the babies always know, you know).
Happy Holidays to you and yours! <3
Aw, that is so sweet! How neat to have that list to add to your collection.
Right?! It was such a lovely find!