Letter kindly submitted by Naomi Crowley, grand-daughter of Dora Crowley (née McVittie), the recepient of this letter sent by Winnie Missir (her sister Hilda had married into the De Jongh family and together with other sister Elsie they had all come back to Smyrna from France that summer - extra information courtesy of Marian Verkerk, daughter of Hilda). Winnie later married a British tobacco trader in Smyrna, William Parkinson “Parky”.
The full names of first names mentioned, in the order they appear in the letter:
Ethel: ?
Ruthie: Ruth de Jongh, (1905-1985), the 7th child of Henry Richard de Jongh (1862-1935) and Sophia Dorothea “Dora” Purser (1870-1964), her younger (last) brother was Percy Brian “Brian” de Jongh, (1912-1977), author of book Guide to Mainland Greece.
Elsie: Elsie Missir, sister to Winnie and Hilda Missir
Molly: Mary Eveline “Molly” de Jongh (1899 -1986), married 1930 in Athens, Greece Kenneth Charles Roland Gandon. Kenneth was British gas engineer engaged, like his father, in developing gas supply system in Smyrna area, later worked in Athens.
Hilda: Hilda de Jongh, nee Missir (1903-1983), married Henry Richard de Jongh (brother to Molly, son of Henry Richard de Jongh (1862-1935) and Sophia Dorothea “Dora” Purser (1870-1964)) in 1927, who worked as engineer for the Smyrna-Aidin railways and first member of the family to return to Smyrna. Hilda was born a U.S. citizen, daughter of Charles Missir, merchant and owner of Smyrna Theatre, which was destroyed in the Fire.
Aunt Margaret: ?
Maritza: ?
Blaclars: Blacklers, a prominent Anglo-American family living in Boudjah - former house:
Maritza: ?
Rudolphe: Rudolphe Fidao (the junior?), merchant in an established Smyrna family - family tree:
Washbourne: Washburn? Possibly Everett Washburn, father of contributor Lorin Washburn
Herman: Hermann Balladur ?
Arthur: ?
Hansoms: Hansons, the Smyrna branch of a British family established in Constantinople since early 19th century - memoirs: / former Boudjah house:
Roboly: A French origin family of merchants and railway workers.
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