So, we’ve had much debate about what these numbers actually mean. Carl clearly wrote them, it’s his handwriting. He also doodled various words around, experimenting with spelling. He had lovely handwriting. Anyway, here’s what I think about the dates:

1910 to 14 Faran [maybe Fargo?] N. Dakota Za[cut off]: Carl was living with is parents in Plato South Dakota during the 1910 census. 14 to 16 with Pa: my dad is convinced Carl meant ages 14 to 16, because Carl joined the army at age 16 (by misrepresenting his age), which would have been 1911. 16 to 19 Army: this makes sense as age or years. Carl did join the Army at age 16, 1911. He served until the end of World War I, though, 1919, age 24. June 19 to March 19 Raake: now what on earth could that mean… June comes before March! And I don’t know what “Raake” is. Googling only ends up with Scandinavian doctors.

Could Carl have joined the Army in 1910 or 1911, and served in Fargo, North Dakota? Then taken a break from 1914 to 1916, the rejoined in 1916 to 1919? The last line is still a mystery.

Katy(posted on Jul 27, 2006 at 9:55 pm)

I’m guessing on the date here, of course. But I think Carl went over to Europe 1917 or 1918. I’m pretty sure that’s Helen, Carl’s sister in law behind him. I don’t know about the boy. Grandma labelled this “WWI, dad leaving.”

Katy(posted on Jul 27, 2006 at 9:28 pm)

That’s definitely Paul Bonjour, and this picture was labelled 1917. I’m not sure about the ladies. I can’t tell if the one in the hat is his wife, Elsie; it doesn’t seem like it. He had four sisters and lots of cousins, so it could be any of them.

Katy(posted on Aug 3, 2012 at 5:34 pm)

I’m guessing Merle was about 5 here. Look at those black stockings and button shoes!

Katy(posted on Aug 3, 2012 at 5:29 pm)

I am 80% sure that this is “Pop” who married my great-grandma and adopted my grandpa. He was a strong figure in my grandpa Phil’s life, a strong role model.

There’s not a date on this WWI draft card, but it was around 1916 or 1917. His name is written Bernard Horace Gilbert, living in Warwick, Kent, Rhode Island. He is 32 years old, his birthday being April 26, 1886. He is white, and a US citizen by adoption (the draft card doesnt say, but he was born in Canada). He is a self-employed doctor. His next of kin is his wife, Elizabeth J. Gilbert of Warwick. He is of medium height and build, has grey eyes and sandy hair.

Katy(posted on Apr 25, 2007 at 7:53 pm)

I assume this picture was taken when Kurt returned home from the war; he’s wearing a lot of medals.

Katy(posted on Aug 31, 2006 at 9:22 pm)

Someone wrote on the back “1917”. It’s Helen, Kurt’s wife, with her mother-in-law Wilhelmina and sister-in-law Frieda.

Katy(posted on Mar 3, 2006 at 12:06 am)

This picture was labeled “Shirley, 2 years 9 mo and Eleanor 6 mo”.

Katy(posted on Apr 11, 2005 at 1:16 am)

This was labelled “Beatrice Herman and Bernice Bonjour”. Bernice Bonjour was Paul Bonjour’s cousin. I can’t place who Beatrice Herman was.

Katy(posted on Aug 2, 2012 at 10:38 pm)