Writer’s remarks in brackets. Items known to be true, i.e. passed down by word of mouth from generation to generation will be marked with an * as well.

James Taylor PARSONS, b. 1877, (*Carbonear, NFLD), married Bertha DAVIS, b. 1878, (*NFLD) in Massachusetts, USA. Exact date of marriage not known at this time. It is unclear as to whether or not they knew each other in Newfoundland. They had 4 children: Livinia, b. 1901: William Davis, b. April 7, 1903; Raymond Nicholas, b. February 7, 1903; and James Taylor Parsons, Jr. (living - my wife’s father), b. May 14, 1913. All 4 were born in Chelsea, Ma. (Suffolk Co.)

James Taylor Parsons, d. 1957 in Revere, Ma., Buried in Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett, Ma. Bertha, d. February 13,1948 in Revere, Ma. and shares the same grave site along with their son, William Davis, d. March 23, 1977 & daughter-in-law, Margaret Linton Watt Parsons, b. January 16, 1916, Winthrop, Ma., d. June 28, 1999, Revere, Ma.

When Margaret died, some letters were passed on to her daughter, Carol Louise Parsons McKay. As of this writing, there were some 200 letters. Some were written during WWII. Many of the letters were from relatives of Margaret’s mother in England. Some were from Vancouver, B.C. And several were from Newfoundland.

These letters from Newfoundland, I will endeavor to transcribe as accurately as possible. Some are barely legible, having been written in pencil. Others were written in ink and have become smeared. Some letters are missing a page or two, but I felt it important that they also be included. Some are missing a date, but research has gotten me to an approximate time.

Those who have questions or comments, please email me and I will try to respond.

• Letter # 1
• Letter # 2
• Letter # 3
• Letter # 4
• Letter # 5
• Letter # 6
• Letter # 7
• Letter # 8
• Letter # 9
• Letter # 10