Every Letter, Translated and Transcribed

Sam writes to Dora from Montreal about posing as an "Austrian Christian" to get hired, then withdrawing after spotting an exploitative labor contract.

Sam writes to uncle Reuven in London from Montreal, explaining their money-dependent plan is stalled and the fur trade isn't panning out there.

A badly garbled 1907 letter, likely to Dora, apologizing for something and asking her to think it over carefully — too damaged to read reliably.

Sam writes to friends the Falkovs and Elis/Alice that the economic crisis has thrown hundreds out of work in Montreal, himself included.

Sam writes to Dora, glad she's resting in the country, and adds a note to cousin Alice about money and a letter that arrived already opened.

Sam writes to Dora from London, reporting no work or news and passing along family regards and a family matter to sort out.

Garbled fragment: Sam explains he hasn't stayed put in Montreal and describes his winding path toward London.

Sam writes Dora from Montreal about an uncle's visit, new work, and his longing and plan to come see her.

Mid-letter fragment, likely Sam to Dora, weighing whether to return to London amid bad business conditions.

Sam writes Dora about the fur trade's slow sales, tariffs, and scarce work in Montreal.

Sam tells Dora he finally got her letter and reflects on writing plainly from the heart.

Sam writes Dora describing a Sunday outing up a Montreal mountain and how much he misses her.

Sam apologizes to Dora for a delay in writing and reports scant, mostly French-only job prospects in Montreal.

Sam writes Dora debating whether to push on from Montreal or return to London, citing Abraham's advice and lack of work.

Sam writes Dora explaining a lapse in letters and thanking her for money sent, amid confusion over her father's support.

Sam tells Dora he's still jobless in Montreal and considers moving on to Chicago rather than back to London.

Sam writes Dora weighing whether to stay in Montreal or return to London, and describes receiving two of her letters at once.

Sam thanks Dora for sending £3 toward his ticket home, and writes of how much they miss each other.

Garbled fragment: Sam explains he hasn't stayed put in Montreal and describes his winding path toward London.

Sam writes Dora on Dean & Felkoff furriers letterhead, planning a Saturday visit and saying how much he misses her.

A short, mostly blank address fragment, grouped with a companion letter — too garbled to recover any message content.

Sam explains to Dora why he hasn't written all week — business scattered across farms near Montreal — and his longing for her.

Sam tells Dora he has decided to return to London for good, having lined up work there and found Montreal life too dry.

Likely Sam writes to Dora weighing whether she should come back to London, urging patience and telling her to talk it over with her father.

Sam writes to uncle and aunt (Reuven and Hinde) that there's little news from Montreal, discussing his possible return to London.

Sam tells Dora he's discouraged by a false friend and floats moving on to Chicago rather than staying stuck in Montreal.

Sam writes to Dora about itinerant tailoring work after fleeing "wretched Canada," worried after hearing from her father that she's unhappy.

Sam writes about three weeks with no work, a farm scheme, and possibly Chicago, signing himself "your loving husband."

Sam (calling Dora "my wife") discusses the Falkovs, a still-open emigration ticket to America, and sends an address for a traveling acquaintance.

Cousin Lieb writes to Dora and Zishe with family news — an uncle and aunt, and a busy trading season.

Sam writes about weighing a move from Montreal to Chicago or a farm for work, dreaming of a home of their own with Dora.

A woman signing herself "your sister" describes her children learning music and a slow trading business dealing in tons of goods with America.

Sam ("Shemele") writes to Dora ("Tsarele") about being out of work in Montreal along with other old workers, and weighing a move to Chicago.

Sam writes to Dora from Canada reassuring her they're both still young and he'll find work; a continuation page (numbered 6) of a longer letter.

Likely Sam writes Dora a farewell letter describing a night-time gathering of some twenty friends before a departure tied to London.

Sam writes to Dora seriously weighing a Canadian government homestead/farm grant as an alternate future for them.

Sam writes to Dora, commenting fondly on her mixed Yiddish-English handwriting and mentioning a separate letter he wrote to Uncle Ber.

Sam writes to Dora contrasting hot Montreal summer weather with the cold where she is, while still waiting to finally get work.

Sam ("Lemele") writes to Dora ("Dorele") about money worries, urging her not to lose heart while he tries to find work.

A fragmentary letter signed "your loving Lemele" (Sam), mostly an aside about a man's looks and glasses, with a passing mention of London.

Sam tells Dora not to keep sending money or begging on his behalf, and that he'll be leaving Montreal within the week.

A garbled fragment, addressee unclear, about refusing shameful work and spending a Sunday asking around for a job, for fear of giving fellow workers a bad name.

Sam, a bit upset with Dora over an undisclosed matter, arranges ticket money and says he's only traveling now for her sake.

Sam works toward arranging Dora's travel ticket through Louis, and complains about the summer heat in Montreal.

Sam writes to uncle Reuven and aunt Hinde with news of work and a promise to write more, sending regards to other relatives.

A letter signed "your mother" describing earning almost nothing and sitting idle, wishing she could visit if she were rich.

Writer reassures a friend not to worry over some affairs (possibly the Falkovs'), promising things aren't serious.

Sam writes to uncle Reuven and aunt Hinde that he lacks only work, expects things to improve, and sends greetings to their daughter Dora.

Sam declares he has come to a decision about their future, weighing a move to Winnipeg and pledging he will not fail Dora.

A badly garbled fragment, likely a parent writing from Latvia, asking forgiveness and relaying news of a son who longed for London.

Sam writes to Dora from Montreal about being unable to find work while living with the Bornsteins, promising more news next week.

A Latvia-based relative writes to Sam, relaying family news and addresses and passing greetings via travelers heading back home.

Sam tells Dora he'll return to London if he has no work by August, and asks how she's getting on at home.

Sam tells Dora he plans to head to London since the cement-works job can't support him, and longs for the day they'll be together.

Sam reports no luck finding work in Montreal and sets himself an early-August deadline to decide whether to return to London.

Sam writes Dora before her operation, reassuring her about cost, the children's care, and her recovery.

Sam writes Dora, mock-surprised she hasn't replied about the £3 he sent, and tells her to stay another week with Sarah.

Sam writes Dora on business letterhead about her lodging costs, encloses a pound, and shares London social news.

Sam writes Dora and the kiddies on business letterhead, glad they're thriving away, and encloses three pounds.

Sam writes Dora that he watched a Zeppelin shot down over London and asks after her and the kiddies at the seaside.

Riga relatives Elke and Avrom Deutsch write proposing Sam finance a flax-trading venture with them.

Writer describes a bad chest ailment, hardship, and belongings seized and bargained over in marks.

Sam's parents write from Latvia to him and Dora and the children, reporting their health and that the old family apartment is now rented to lodgers.

Fragment of Sam's closing lines to family, asking whether to wait or arrange to visit the coming Friday.

Sam writes Dora asking how she likes a new place and whether it's as strict as reported, hoping she'll improve.

Sam writes Dora and the kiddies from a solo trip to Whitstable, describing the food, weather, and a day out at Westgate.

Sam writes Dora, teasingly cross she wouldn't let him visit for the weekend, and mentions an evening at the Palladium with Diana.

Page 2 of a Sam letter, closing to Dora and promising daughters Gladys and Beaty he'll teach them to swim next weekend.

Sam writes Dora ("Mama") missing her letter that morning and describes taking dancing lessons and an evening out at Maxine's.

Sam writes Dora ("Mama") that he's sleeping home each night, asks about her lodgings, and considers a weekend trip to Walton.

Largely illegible pencil fragment addressed to "Mama and Kellie" and separately "Dear Ruby," mentioning Dan being out of work; author unclear.

Sam writes Dora and the kiddies reporting his safe arrival back in London on a slow train, with no other news.

Sam apologizes to Dora for missing a day's letter, says he won't come down this weekend, and mentions Fanny being annoyed with her.

An anguished, unnamed Riga relative pleads for word from the family after months of silence and threatens to visit for the summer.

Sam writes Dora and the kiddies from a holiday at Margate, describing fine weather and side trips to Broadstairs and Ramsgate.

Sam thanks Dora for her postcard, says he's slept poorly since returning from Ramsgate, and asks about the weather there.

Sam scolds Gladys and Beaty for upsetting Mama at Ramsgate, per Auntie Sarah's report, and asks about the weather. (page 1 of 2)

Continuation of Sam's letter to Gladys and Beaty: he asks about a pair of white trousers and his white shoes. (page 2 of 2)

Sam sends Dora and the kids five pounds and recounts his journey home after seeing them off at the station.

Sam wires Dora and the kiddies four pounds and urges them to stay away another week rather than rush home.

Sam writes from the Grand Hôtel du Pavillon in Paris, reporting good weather and a Turkish bath visit.

Illegible fragment on Grand Hôtel du Pavillon stationery — only isolated words (Vienna?, Liza) survive, no connected message.

Sam writes Dora from Berlin (Alexandra Hotel) about a rough crossing and prices for coats and hats in his trade.

Sam writes from Paris, hurt at not hearing from home and airing resentment about only being valued as provider.

Letter to Dora, Gladys, and Betty defending the writer's hard work; signed "Dolly" (likely Sam), mentions Aunt Sarah's visit request.

Sam's sister (signing "Chana"?) writes to Dora and the children about their happy reunion together in Leipzig.

A daughter writes Daddy from Bournemouth about Christmas presents, card games, and the promised five-pound notes.

Sam's sister (signing "Chana"?) writes to Dora and the children about their happy reunion together in Leipzig.

Sam writes from Leipzig, delayed because Sonia has gone into hospital; he's bought goods and will leave for home soon.

Sam, surprised not to hear from them, asks how the Bournemouth boarding house is and whether Gladys and Beaty are behaving.

Sam asks how Gladys's ear is healing, checks the girls are behaving, and sends money for the Bournemouth stay.

Sam recounts seeing a Berlin doctor who puts him on a diet, and presses Dora to chase Morry Sagon for a £17 debt.

Sam writes Dora and daughters during their short stay in Eastbourne, saying he and the dogs Tiny and Fluff are well.

Sam sends a ten-pound cheque for Mr. Weinberg, cash for Dora, and a camera for Beatrice.

Sam is disappointed by bad weather cutting short their trip, but will meet them at Victoria station regardless.

Sam reassures Dora after she backed out of buying a house, and swears the family to secrecy about his goods purchases.

Sam writes from the Park Hotel Leipzig after a stormy crossing, mentioning a possible trip on to Kissingen.

Sam writes from the Hotel Alexander, Berlin, about his sister's health, dear Berlin prices, and asks about London pantomimes.

Sam writes that his prayers for good weather for Dora and the kiddies seem answered; he'll visit Saturday instead of Friday.

Sam sends eight pounds and arranges to meet Dora and the kiddies at Liverpool Street if the weather stops a Friday visit.

Gladys Diamondstein's school-leaving reference from Oldfield Road L.C.C. School, praising her ability and character.

Sam writes from the Hotel Astra, Paris, with detailed fur-trade instructions for John about martins, mink, and rat skins.

Sam sends eight pounds to cover Dora and the children's expenses and reports all is well at home.

Gladys writes to her hospitalized Mummy, listing gifts Daddy bought her and Beaty and wishing her well.

Sam writes from Leipzig, delaying his return because his sister must have an operation in Berlin.

Beaty and Gladys each write short notes to Daddy; Gladys reports her ear is getting on nicely.

Sam writes from the Hôtel Montréal in Paris about buying moles and stone martens for the fur business.

A short note giving Sam's Leipzig address at the Park Hotel — no further message.

Sam writes home about disappointing Paris goods and shares family news — cousin Alice had a girl.

Sam writes from Ostend en route to Berlin, asking Dora to chase Morry Sagon for a £17 debt via his solicitors.

Fragment of a letter closing — the writer (likely Sam) hopes Gladys, Beatie, and Cynthia are being good and sends his love.

Sam writes Dora and daughters that he's having a good time visiting his sister before heading on to Leipzig.

Sam teases his daughter Gladys about minding Mama and asks after the household and business back home.

Sam writes Dora and the kids about uncertain travel plans (possibly to Paris) and sending money if he can't visit.