6.7.92
Dear Mrs Stickler or may I say "Cousin" Gladys,
I was very pleased inded to make contact with you. It has been a long haul.
You asked how I got your number. It is a story of "Gone With The Wind" proportions. I became interested in my roots about 10 yrs ago. Eventually I found that my great-great-grandfather (your great-grandfather) Robert Troup had moved with his wife Jane and four children from Scotland to Skelton in Cleveland which is a village 20 miles from me. . . . I have found out quite a lot about all the children except Charles Robert. He was not in any census after 1861 & I could find no record of his marriage or death in our Vital Records.
Then a big stroke of luck occurred -- I found 4 photos "Charles Robert" aged 17 months & 14 yrs, "Eve" & "Rachel" all photos undated but taken in Katonah & Tarrytown. This gave me the answer: Charles Robert I had disappeared from English records because he had emigrated! On a trip to New York I had the luck to find reference to him in NY Central Library 1880 census. . . . I then found a letter referring to "Uncle Charlie's death." The letter was written by a 14 year old girl niece of Charles Robert (Pollie). It was written Feb 1887 & if it was the right Uncle Charlie he must have died late 1886 for news to reach England by early Feb. 87.
I applied to Albany Vital Records for his death cert & marriage cert but they said I had insufficient information. In desperation I put a letter in our Family History Society branch Magazine which must go all over the world. I had several replies to my request for how I get American Death/Marriage Certs. One gentleman who lives near Albany said he would try if I gave him details. I told him what I knew so far of Charles Robert the first & he came up with burial records AND your father's obituary notice! For good measure he photcopied the Seattle telephone directory with your number!
I enclose a brief table to show you how you and I are related. I have information I can give you on all Robert & Jane's children and on Robert & Jane and their parents too. We came from humble hardworking but very nice people. . . .
I have a friend who's sister-in-law lives in New Jersey & we have stayed there 2 - 3 times. In fact she is coming to stay with us this weekend. Last Christmas there we went to Long Island to visit Sea Cliff. It is a beautiful spot & I felt very pleased that Charles Robert Ist had gone from one nice area to another. Emigration must have been a fearful gamble. The actual house where he worked I think belonged to John Pyrie. It had burned down but there was an old photo in the library of it & of John Pyrie. Perhaps you can tell me if I am right in thinking John Pyrie was his master?
. . . There is not a lot to tell you about me. I took early retirement from hospital service 5 yrs ago. I have now hit the dreaded 60 - soon to be 61, but I feel about 29.
Once again, I can't tell you how much I appreciate making contact with you. It has been such a series of coincidences & luck & I still can hardly believe it.
My very best wishes to you and yours
Sincerely
Margaret Troupe The "e" was added by my grandfather & should not be there!