Letters from Santa

Here are some letters posted about a century ago in a much more innocent time:

Dear Santa Claus:I want for Christmas a doll baby, a piano, a doll bed, a little lamp, a little iron and a little table, and some candy and nuts and oranges.
Your friend,
IRENE PARISH

Dear Santa:I am a little boy 4 years old and I am good and want you to bring me a car and a pony and a horn and remember all the other little girls and boys.
Your little friend,
DICK

Dear Santa:I am a little boy 5 years old. I want you to bring e a little express wagon and some candy and nuts and a pair of shoes and don't forget my little sister,
Your friend,
ELMER NORRINGTON

Dear Santa Claus:
Will you please bring me a drum, a checker board and I would like to have a macaknau coat, some nuts and candy and bring my little sister a little buggy for her doll. This will be all for this time, but won't forget our tree.
Your little friend,
ALTON RINARD

Dear Santa Claus:I am a boy 9 years old. I want a sled, horn, candy, nuts. Please bring Ray a wagon and a horn.
Good bye, From your little friend,
JOSEPH RINARD

Dear Santa Claus:Please bring me for Christmas a sewing box, a horn, a doll, a story book, some candy, nuts and oranges. Don't forget the other little girls.
Your friend,
EDNA FRANCES HARR

Dear Santa Claus:
I have only seen one Christmas and don't know much about it. Do what you think right and I shall be satisfied.
Your little girl,
JOSEPHINE HARR

Dear Santa Claus:
Please bring me a sled and a doll bed, a harp and some candy and oranges and some nuts and bananas and a bracelet.
Your little friend,
BEATRICE SIMMONS

Dear Santa Claus:Please bring me a harp, and a horn and an engine, some caps for my toy pistol and some candy and nuts and some oranges.
Your little friend,
WALTER SIMMONS

Dec 15
Dear Santa:
I am a little girl 7 years old and I want you to bring me a little bed and a set of dishes and a set of fox furs.
Good Bye.
NELLIE RILEY

88 C St
Dear Santa Claus:
I am a little boy, 8 years old. I wish you would bring me a little pony and a little wagon that I can haul sand in, a little drum, a little engine, a little automobile, a little horn, a sled, some blocks, a rattler, a bottle and nipple, a poodle dog, a wreck train, a little horse with rockers, and some candy, nuts and oranges. This is all for this time.
Your friend
GEO. BARRPS
And don't forget my friend, M H.,

100 C St
Dear Santa:
I am a little boy, 2 years old and want you to bring me a wagon and a pair of shoes with cloth tops and a drum.
Good bye.
GERALD SIMS

Dear Santa:
I am a little girl and I help my mama and I want you to bring me a new dress and a doll and wash board and tub.
Good bye
CLARA LEATHERMAN

Dear Santa:I want to tell you what I want for Christmas. I want a new dress, a pair of cloth top shoes, candy, nuts and oranges.
Good bye.
Be good to the poor children.
BELLE BARR

Dear Santa:I am a little girl 8 years old and I want you to bring me a set of furs, a little cabinet and a buggy for my doll.
Good bye.
CARRIE CRAWFORD

Dear Santa:
I am a little boy and want you to bring me a flexible flyer, model builder, a pair legons and a hobby horse.
Your friend,
FRED CORNELL

Dear Santa:
I thought I would write and tell you what I want for Christmas. I want a doll baby and cradle that's at the 10 cent store and a little piano.
Good bySanta.
LAURA BOSWELL

Dear Santa Claus:Please bring me a steam engine, train of cars and track, phonograph, set of tools, little horse and wagon, candy and nuts.
Your little friend,
ELWOOD SHAFFER

Dear Santa Claus:Please bring me a sled, a hobby horse, an engine, a little wagon, a toy automobile and lots of candy, nuts and oranges.
Goodbye, from
CHARLES DUNITHAN

Dear Santa:Please send me a doll, a sled, a story book, a little iron, a little piano, a bracelet, and a locket and a set of colors.
From your little friend,
MAY ROBY

Dear Santa Claus:I want you to bring me a character doll, kitchen cabinet and a muff and fur, candy, nuts and oranges.
Your little girl,
MARGUERITE HAMILL

Dear Old Santa:Please bring me a doll, silk dress and a sled, candy, nuts and oranges.
Your loving girl,
KATHLEEN HAMILL

Dear Santa Claus:I am a big girl in the eighth grade. I want a doll baby, a little horse and wagon and a toy piano.
Your friend,
HELEN BOOR

Eaton Ohio,
Dec 18 Mineral Daily News Office,
Dear Sir:
As I live away out here in Ohio, I want your to put my letter in the News to Santa Claus, so he will be sure to get it. Tell him to visit all the poor little children first, and if he has any left to come to my place.
I am your friend
PEARL HOGSHEAD, Age 8 years

Burkhisers Restaurant
140 N Mineral Street, Keyser W Va
Dear Santa:
We are two little boys I am four years old and my little brother William is eighteen months old. I wish you would please bring me an automobile, a box of tools, wagon and a story book. My brother is to little for very much and he doesn't need anything but some stockings and a pair of shoes. Be sure and trim our tree.
Santa don't forget our cousins, Carl and Tom Shoemaker.
That is all this time.
Your two boys,RICHARD AND WILLIAM PULLIAM

Dear Santa:
I am a little boy 4 years old. I thought I would let you know what I want for Christmas. I want a sled, train, ties, cars, telephone, jack in the box, foot ball.
That will be all for this time.
Please don't forget the littlepoor children.
Your friend,
HARLEY KIGHT

Dear Santa:
I am a little girl six years old, and would you please bring me an infant doll, ironing-board and iron, washing machine, table, muff and fur and nuts, candy and oranges.
Your little friend,
VIRGINIA RAFTER

Dear Santa:
Please bring me a bicycle, little elephant, a hop-toad, horse and wagon and candy, nuts and oranges.
Your little friend,
GLEN RAFTER

Dear Santa Claus:
Please bring me a doll and a cart and a set of dishes and a bicycle and some nuts and some oranges.
So that will be all.
I am your little girl,
GRACE

Dear Santa Claus:
I want a bed, a doll, a rocking chair, a set of beads, a buggy, some candy, oranges, and nuts.
That is all for this time.
A merry Christmas, Good bye.
NELLIE MAY

Piedmont W Va,
Dec 15
Dear Santa Claus:
I am a little girl three years old and I am writing you this letter to let you know what I want you to bring me for Christmas.Please bring me a buggy for my baby doll and a little bed for it to sleep in, and a little table, a pocket book and a wagon and lots of oranges, nuts and candy.
I will be a good little girl and go to bed early and shut my eyes tight.
Don't forget mamma and papa.
Your little girl,
EVELYN DIXON

Keyser W Va,
Dec 16
Dear Santa:
Please bring me a Teddy Bear, a set of dishes, a cupboard, a little broom, candy, oranges, and nuts.
Please don't forget the poor children, papa, mamma and brother.
Your little friend,
EVELYN MAINE

Dear Santa:I will write and tell you what I want for Christmas. I want a raincoat and a watch.
This will be all for this time.
Your friend,
BUSTER GILPIN

33 James St
Dear Santa:
I will write to tell you what I want for Christmas.
I will not ask you for anything, but an automobile with electric lights and horn and starter, and when you have time will you please make my horse, Bette, a new saddle and bridle.
I will thank you very much.
Your friend,
WAYNE HOWELL

53 James St
Dear Santa Claus:
Please bring me a rain-cape and big doll and some candy and nuts.
Your little girl,
FRANCES CHAPMAN

Dear Santa:
I am a little boy 4 years old. I would like to have a little express wagon and a little sled, candy and nuts.
Your little boy,
HARRY E CHAPMAN

Dear Santa Claus:
Please send me a bicycle, and a little engine and my little sister Marguerite wants a doll and some toys and we want some nuts and candy.
My sister and I are good and will expect them.
Your little friends,
ELMER AND MARGUERITE NORRINGTON

Dear Santa:
I wish you would bring me a nice doll, and a table and a set of dishes and remember all the other little girls and boys.
Your little friend,
DELSIE NORRINGTON

Westernport Md,
Dec 17
Dear Santa Claus:
I am a little girl 9 years old. Please bring me a small baby doll, a high chair for my doll, a nice set of china dishes, some ducks and fishes for our pond under our tree, a new dress for my large doll, some nice trimmings for our tree and lots of fruit, nuts and candy.
Your little girl,
LORRAINE GUY

Dear Santa:
I am a little boy six years old. Please bring me a drum, a horn, a set of ten pins and a set of tools and a mouth harp, as I will be a good boy and go to school every day and don't forget papa and mamma.
From your little friend,
WILLIAM JENKINS THURHEN

516 W Piedmont St,
Keyser W VA,
Dec 21
Dear Santa:
I am a little girl seven years old and go to school Would like for you to bring me a doll bed and sled and a new doll and please do not forget the little boys and girls that have no papa and mamma.
Your little girl,
IRENE NICHOLS

Keyser W Va,
Dec 20
Dear Santa Claus:
I would like to have for Christmas a doll cart, a dewing box and a machine. That will be all, and don't forget my ma and pa and little baby brother.
Good bye,
From your little friend.
JULIA THOMAS

43 Church St
Dear Santa Claus:
Please bring me for Christmas an automobile and a saw mill and that will be all for this Christmas and do not forget mamma and papa and my little brother Albert.
Your little friend,
WADE THOMAS

Dear Santa:
Just four days till Christmas. This is what I want for Christmas. I want a kitchen cabinet, a book, a pocket book and a game. Don't' forget to leavesomething for my little brother.
Your little friend,
MARGARET BIERKAMP

Dear Santa:
Christmas is nearly here, this is what I want. I want a tub and washboard, a hair ribbon and a chair.
Your little friend,
LOLA GILPIN

Dear Santa:
This is what I want for Christmas. A washboard and tub, a table and buggy. Your friend,
CATHERN GILPIN

Keyser W Va,
Dec 21
Dear Santa Claus:
I would like to have for Christmas some candy and nuts, a tricycle, one B B gun.
Good Bye
JOHN ROGERS

W Piedmont St
Dear Santa:
I am a little girl three years old and I am writing this letter to tell you what I want you to bring me for Christmas. Please bring me a buggy, a doll that goes to sleep, a table, a chair, a pair of shoes and nuts and oranges.
Don't forget the poor children,
VIVIAN BISSIT

Dear Santa Claus:
This is my first Christmas, so I thought I had better write and tell you what I would like to have. Please bring me a little rubber doll, a teddy bear, a set of dishes, a box of candy and a great big bottle of milk.
Please bring Harriett something nice because she slips up stairs and takes me nearly everytime I cry, and when she hears mother coming she lays me down and runs.
Your little friend,
BARBARA LEE TERRELL

AT LAST!!!! The poll results!!!!!

After many months of gathering and processing the information, I've FINALLY came up with the results.

When asked which were YOUR favorite Genealogical Websites (Free and Paid), here are the responses I recieved (as well as my own.)

I wanted to list them in order of favorites, but this became too difficult and confusing. I WILL make personal notes, some on the ones which were recommended by several different responders.

If anyone can suggest some that are not listed here, please contact me and I will add them in a follow-up post.

I also need to add that I have not tested ALL of these links. If some are dead or broken, please tell me.

Now, in no particular order:

FREE SITES

Tribalpages.com (Note: One of my own personal favorite sites. A unique and fairly new site with many great features. BUT, a subscription fee is charged for higher services and space.)

Google pages (I use to write out details on my ancestry)

One EXTREMELY kind soul even gave me this VERY detailed listing:

GENERAL SEARCH SITES:

FAMILY SEARCH – PILOT
http://pilot.familysearch.org/recordsearch/start.html#p=0

FAMILY SEARCH (*My personal note: This (and the one listed above) is the famous Latter Day Saints site, which, contrary to how it sounds, is a site COMPLETELY independant of their chuch-not that there's anything write with it....)
http://www.familysearch.org/eng/default.asp

US GENWEB (A popular one)
http://www.usgenweb.org/

ROOTSWEB (This one AND Ancestry.com both rated very high, but now they've joined together...)
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/

GENCIRCLES http://www.gencircles.com/login/

OUR BRICK WALLS (SW PA & W MD) (Note: I know the woman who runs this, she's very nice and helpful!)http://ourbrickwalls.com/sitemap.html


CEMETERY & GRAVE SITES:

FIND A GRAVE http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi
GENEALOGY PITSTOP (TRI-STATE BOARDER COUNTIES in OH, PA & WV)http://www.genealogypitstop.com/cemeteries.htm

CEMETERY TOMBSTONE INSCRIPTIONS (ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PA plus A SURROUNDING COUNTIES)
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~njm1/tombs.htm

MINERAL COUNTY (WV) CEMETERIES
http://www.wvgenweb.org/mineral/cemetaries.html

WASHINGTON COUNTY, OH CEMETERY INDEX
http://www.wchs-ohio.org/cem_index.htm

ARCHIVE & DIGITAL HISTORY SITES:
WV ARCHIVES & HISTORY (BIRTH, MARRIAGE & DEATH)
http://www.wvculture.org/vrr/va_select.aspx

GOOGLE NEWS ARCHIVES
http://news.google.com/archivesearch/advanced_search

VA LAND GRANTS http://ajax.lva.lib.va.us/F/?func=file&file_name=find-b-clas30&local_base=CLAS30

ARCHIVES OF MARYLAND
http://aomol.net/megafile/msa/speccol/sc2900/sc2908/html/volumes.html

PA STATE ARCHIVES
http://www.digitalarchives.state.pa.us/archive.asp

HERITAGE PURSUIT (DIGITAL LIBRARY of OH COUNTY HISTORIES)http://www.heritagepursuit.com/index.html

HISTORIC PITTSBURGH (DIGITAL LIBRARY)http://digital.library.pitt.edu/p/pitttext/

MAKING of AMERICA (DIGITAL LIBRARY)http://quod.lib.umich.edu/m/moa/

IOWA HISTORY (DIGITAL COUNTY HISTORY LIBRARY)http://www.usgennet.org/usa/topic/historical/

MISSOURI DIGITAL HERITAGE
http://www.sos.mo.gov/mdh/collections.asp

INDIANA STATE ARCHIVES
http://www.in.gov/icpr/2301.htm

IMMIGRATION SITES:

CASTLEGARDEN http://castlegarden.org/

ELLIS ISLANDhttp://www.ellisisland.org/

Paid Sites

Tribalpages.com (Note: One of my own personal favorite sites. A unique and fairly new site with many great features. BUT, a subscription fee is charged for higher services and space.)

Genealogy.com (Another one that ranked high)

Kindred Connections http://www.kindredkonnections.com/

ANCESTRY (*Note- Probably the #1 favorite of most of those polled)

http://www.ancestry.com/

FOOTNOTE http://www.footnote.com/

NEWSPAPER ARCHIVE

http://www.newspaperarchive.com/Default.aspx?gclid=COzN3sj3xJYCFQSPFQodvCRZyg

I hope this is useful to many of you!!!!

I will be adding more later. Many that I belong to and personal faves.