One of the more interesting items discovered among Mary’s belongings is this letter from a cousin in Germany. Dated in 1905, the letter appears to have been written in response to correspondence that Heinrick’s parents received from Mary. She would have been 27 at the time and he was 15.
Since Heinrick’s last name is “Von Bobart”, I believe Mary’s father, John H. Rumping, and Heinrick’s mother, whose maiden name is unconfirmed at this time, were probably siblings.
Heinrick gives quite a bit of information in this letter, including the names and ages of all his siblings, the fact that his father is a doctor, and Heinrick himself is attending school in Meppen. Perhaps most interesting is the fact that his sister Johanna became ill when she was 10 years old (about 1897) and was unable to walk. By the time Heinrick wrote this letter in 1905, Johanna was getting better and was able to walk “somewhat” again. I wonder if he is describing an incidence of polio? I did a little Internet research on the subject and found reference to outbreaks during that time period in the United States but nothing specifically about Germany.
I’ve done some genealogical research on Heinrick’s family but so far haven’t found much. Sadly, however, I did locate a possible military record for Heinrick which states he died in 1917, during World War I.
First, here is a scanned copy of the letter – pages 1 and 4 in the first image (page 1 is on the right) and pages 2 and 3 in the second.
Because I do not speak or read German, I used Google Translate, as well as other tools I found on the Internet, to translate this letter. Luckily, Heinrick’s handwriting – for the most part – is quite good.
And finally, here is my translation of the letter, based on the tools I referenced above. I added clarification in brackets in several instances but otherwise avoided the temptation to edit, since I believe the letter speaks rather well for itself.
Meppen, ___ 12. ___ .05
Dear Cousin!
Yesterday my dear parents sent me your dear letter. We are pleased to hear something from the dear relatives in America. I always had to write before an uncle, but unfortunately I did not address, and when I wrote to Uncle Anton Rümping to the address, I received no answer.
I am fifteen years old and visit [attend?] the gymnasium [high school] here by my Onkle, Joseph Von Bobart, whose wife died on May 8, 1904 in childbirth. The child, a sweet girl, is at my parents.
I am an hour away from home and come back in the summer every day by train. We are seven children alive namely: Maria 22 years, Lisbeth 19, Johanna 18, Hermann 16, me 15, Gusti 13, Joseph 10 years old.
Johanna was already approximately 10 years old [and became] ill and can not walk. Now she is getting better and can already somewhat walk again. (Otherwise, she would be seen in a carriage [wheelchair?]). We are all very pleased that she can walk again.
Our Gusti will receive Holy Communion for the first time this Easter. Mama and Papa are still quite healthy from what my brothers and sisters tell me. I also hope that you and all your relatives have good things and that it’s going quite well.
Papa is a doctor and earns a lot of money; he is the only doctor in Lathen and the nearby villages.
Now you know for the first time probably enough. If you give me as soon as you know how the writing, so I will answer you right back and tell you the rest. Also you’ll probably soon receive a letter from my parents.
Now I must close. In the hope that you or someone else from you soon, very soon, write to me again, I remain
Your Dear Cousin
Heinrick von Bobart
Please be so kind as to let me once the addresses of all relatives from America with and greet warmly from me, your loving father, husband, your dear mother, your children, your dear brother and ________ and all love all of relatives and is particularly well even quite affectionate greetings from
Your Cousin
Heinrick.
My address is:
Student Henrick von Bobart
__ Adr. Herrn Oberpostassistent I. von Bobart in Meppen Ems Province Hanover
