1. Authors's married name, first and last: V. L.
2. V. L. was apparantly an immigrant. Her age at time of immigration is unknown, but she appears to have been old enough to have memories of her native country. Considering that, and her ability to write in the English Language, it is probable that she was from the British Isles.
3. V. L. had at least one sister.
4. Prior to living in Vicksburg, V. L. lived in New Orleans and Arkansas. The dates and length of time she lived in those areas is unknown.
5. In 1863, when the diary was written, the author had no children at home. It is not known whether she had grown children, or was childless. She may have been a young lady, recently married. There is no mention of children, or of her age, or that of her husband.
6. Her husband's name was (first and last): H. L.
7. H. L. had an uncle referred to as Uncle J. (first name?)
8. The husband held an office-type job in the city of Vicksburg, where he had at least once assistant, Mr. J., who was unmarried at the time of the siege (1863.) At that time, Mr. J's mother was living, and he had at least one sister.
9. The couple did not own their home in Vicksburg. The house in which they resided, during most of the siege and early occupation by Union forces, was a large two-storied house containing a cellar. The house had a balcony/veranda on the second floor that faced the Mississippi River, and offered an excellent view of the water.
10. The house was located next to a (temporary ?) small-pox hospital. A general hospital was located accross the street.
11. The couple was probably not wealthy, but they were not poor, either. They appeared to have some means.
12. The couple had a Black cook by the name of Martha, who had a youg daughter named America.
13. V. L.'s religious affiliation is unknown, but it is known that she was not Catholic.
14. At one point, V. L, and her husband had a conversation with a Confederate General V., who had a wife in TN. Can you offer any help? Can you solve the puzzle? Is this YOUR ancestor? Send suggestions to: Ellen Pack