march 3rd 1905 MP to rhoda mary lawrenson

lowestoft, suffolk to goosnargh, preston, lancashire

266 miles

the message

“Friday afternoon

Coming home next week: “I am for sure

Every body tells me I am looking so much better. Even the girls in the laundry comment on my appearance.

I am looking forward to finding all well at Goosnargh.

With love to Mrs W + ??????

M P”

the sender

There are no clues to the identity of MP. It is not entirely certain that those are the initials as the handwriting is not very clear.

the recipient

Rhoda Mary Lawrenson (1888-1973) was the daughter of Thomas Lawrenson (1861-?) and Mary Salisbury (1863-1929). Thomas was a farmer.

Rhoda was a dressmaker. In 1923, she married William Harman (1884-1937). It has not been possible to further identify William Harman as there are too many to choose from without further information.

the tree

the places

Lowestoft, Suffolk to Goosnargh, Preston, Lancashire

Lowestoft, Suffolk

Goosnargh, Preston, Lancashire

what the card says to us

The card was sent from Lowestoft and the picture shows the Empire Hotel in the town (http://www.suffolkcamra.co.uk/pubs/pub/2701). There is nothing to suggest that the sender was staying there.

There are hints in the message that the sender is in Lowestoft for some kind of cure. Perhaps for the sea air.

There are many question. Who are the girls in the laundry? Why is the sender coming into contact with them? Which laundry?

And who is Mrs W? What relation is she to the sender and Rhoda Mary?