A TALE OF TWO CITIES

 

CHICAGO 1920

 

 

 

NEW ORLEANS 1920

Charles Street

 

My Mother's family was divided between two cities, Chicago and New Orleans.  'Sally' (Sarah Colma de Vasconcellos Malrose) was born in and raised in New Orleans.  'Lee' (Leroy Fred Malrose) was born Galesburg, Illinois (200 miles from Chicago).  Sally said that when she was 5 years old, her parents, 'Harry' (Henry Brown de Vasconcellos) and Alice (Alice Cathrine Leithman) moved from New Orleans to Chicago in 1901.  I don't know for sure but I am assuming it was due to work that they left their loved ones and moved to Chicago.  Harry was a salesman.  He was sales manager for Red Wing Grape Juice and also he worked for Karo Syrup.  And thus started the Great Divide for the family.  

 

The following is a note I found from Sally to her daughter Gloria Alice:

 

Glo,   When you were 9 months old my Mother and I took you to N.O. (New Orleans)--You were the first grandchild--you were so beautiful everyone loved you on sight!  Papa said if I didn't bring his baby home he would leave me--we were only gone about a month!  He didn't say me.  He said you!

You were really lovely.  When I took you in your buggy on 55th Street, people would stop me and ask to see the baby.  You must have been something special!

Well to get along with what happened Mama took you down for Marde Gras---Papa didn't mind too much but Nanaine kept you to vacation--Papa was fit to be tied.  He objected so much to be apart from you--but--me?  I wanted the best for you and that was what I wanted--let's say THE CULTURE.

Sarah and baby Gloria  

 

You might notice two things from this card called the "Cradle Roll."  Yes, the name was spelled Malmrose at that time.  It was changed to Malrose and I am not at this time sure when.  The other thing is that Gloria Alice was baptised a Presbyterian in New Orleans.  Culture and religion is what Sally had in mind. 

Gloria Alice 4 months