1947 correspondence of Thomas and Theodora Elkinton Waring

ca. 120 items through December

Primarily to Howard (HE) and Katharine Elkinton (KE), but meant for the whole family, the letters are from Wesleyan University until Tom and Dody leave for AFSC work camp in Finland at the end of May, and speak of domestic life and people with whom they associate. The letters from Finland are very detailed descriptions of people, work, and their own activities. They returned home via Sweden, Holland and England, again with good description. Later, they received some letters from those whom they met in Finland, often thanking them for care packages (some are in Finnish). These latter letters sometimes extend into the early 1950s.

Letters are from TW and/or TEW, unless otherwise indicated, thus only recipient is noted below in highlights. Other letter writers include: Marjatta Miettinen and others from Finland

to KE. 1/23. on courses they are taking at Wesleyan and Professor Neumann

to KE and HE. 2/2. Initial thoughts about a summer workcamp in Europe

Travelling certificate for TW and TEW from Middletown Friends Meeting. 5/18

to KE & HE. 6/2. En route to Finland has a conversation with Mennonites, and when asked to explain Quaker religious beliefs, informed by someone in the Relief and Reconstruction M.A. program at Haverford College that Pres. William Wistar Comfort said Orthodox Friends believed in both the trinity and Christ's divinity. Beginning lessons in Finnish

to KE & HE. 6/17. Description of the area in Finland where they are located, Finnish people, politics, etiquette in the camps

to KE & HE. Muurasjarvi, Finland, 6/24. Detailed description of life in Finland and the work they are doing

to KE & HE. Muurasjarvi, Finland, 8/8. Group dynamics in the camp

to "People." Muurasjarvi, Finland, 8/14. Have completed a sauna house for one family and other construction

to KE & HE. Saija, Finland. 8/21. In Lapland where some of the bitterest fighting of the war took place -- there are mines about; they will spend 2 weeks there; at the border with Russia

to KE & HE. Helsinki, Finland, 9/4. Political discussions about results of the war.

to KE & HE. Sweden, 9/8. Contrast of Finland to Sweden

to KE & HE. Ommen, Holland, 9/13. All of Europe experiencing drought. Faculty at her school in Eerde welcomed them.

to KE & HE. Ommen, Holland, 9/14. Conveys the picture of children, homeless and hungry, whom they see particularly at train stops

Mieltinen, Marjatta to TEW. Helsinki, 8/26. Mentions meeting with high-level Communist leader Hertta Kuusinen and working as an interpreter