The Envelope (Part of the 7 Days, 7 Requests series)

The envelope addressed to the New Jersey State Archives had sat propped against the small lamp on my office desk since the second week of January. At first, it sat there all bright-eyed and perky, reminding me that I needed to type a letter, write a check and mail it – nothing too difficult. Then, as time went on, it began to snarl and stare accusingly at me as I continued to ignore its presence. Finally, as often happens to things that are continually ignored, it faded into the background, much as the canister of pencils and file holder that also sat on the desk. 

Yesterday, I wrote the letter requesting information on the marriage of Thomas D. Jacobus and Catherine? who married in Essex County, New Jersey, sometime between 1827and 1832. Jacobus appears to be the early 19th century equivalent of Smith or Jones in New Jersey. I’m not sure if I have given enough information for the Archives to find the marriage record, but I am only going to be out $5 if they can’t fulfill my request.

So while my grandson was busy saying, “Eenie, meenie, minee, moe” to determine which of two identical spinners would be mine as we played “Dora Bingo,” the very nice mail carrier stopped at my rural mailbox, grabbed the envelope and sped it happily on its way. 

Score another one on my request counter.

© 6 August 2008, Desktop Genealogist Unplugged, Teresa L. Snyder