97-Year-Old Letter Reunited with Author's Family in London, Ontario
How a 97-year-old letter found in a London, Ont., home reached its author's family
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A 97-year-old letter discovered in a London, Ontario home has been returned to the family of its author, Charles Slater. The letter, written in 1929, discusses challenges in Canada's grain industry and was traced back to Slater's descendants by a local genealogist after a Facebook post by Christina Archer.
- 01The letter, dated August 13, 1929, was written by Charles Slater, a 15-year-old working on the S.S. Lemoyne freighter.
- 02Slater's letter addressed issues in Canada's grain industry at the onset of the Great Depression, mentioning forest fires and a book recommendation.
- 03Genealogist Marisa Cooper used public records to trace Slater's family, connecting Archer with Aaron Powers, Slater's grandson.
- 04Powers expressed surprise at discovering a larger family than he previously thought he had.
- 05The letter has sparked interest in Slater's life and family history among his descendants.
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In a remarkable reunion, a 97-year-old letter found in a home in London, Ontario, has been returned to the family of its author, Charles Slater. The letter, discovered by Christina Archer in 2001, was written in 1929 when Slater was just 15 years old and working on the S.S. Lemoyne freighter. It discusses the challenges faced by Canada's grain industry during the early stages of the Great Depression, mentioning forest fires and recommending the book *All Quiet on the Western Front*. After years of unsuccessful searches, Archer sought help on social media, leading to genealogist Marisa Cooper tracing Slater’s lineage. Within 48 hours, she connected Archer with Aaron Powers, Slater's grandson, who was astonished to learn about his extended family. Powers and Archer met to exchange the letter, which has sparked curiosity about Slater's life and history. Archer expressed her joy in returning the letter, stating it felt like a connection to Slater himself.
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The reunion of the letter with Slater's family has rekindled interest in local history and genealogy.
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