Introduction to Lynch Clan

My Lynch ancestors from Ireland came to America in 1848. The group included my Grandfather James Lynch and his five siblings, ages 10 to 18, who sailed without their parents to New York City. Soon they were living in a tenement house in Massachusetts working in a textile mill. From there they gradually migrated west. This blog will contain information gathered by my mother, Hazel Lynch Skonberg from her father, giving details of the trip over and life in America. There is also a diary written by his son, Will Lynch, who was with the American Consular Service of the State Department, and was taken hostage on Dec. 8, 1941, by the Japanese Army who had captured Shanghai that day. I hope you enjoy this blog about the James Lynch family in America.
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Wednesday, November 16, 2011

WR Lynch WW II Diary re Japanese Take-Over in Shanghai China. Days 68 and 69.

Will Lynch is approached by a "strange" character trying to get back to America.  Roselyn


February 13, 1942.  Friday.  68th Day.
     Coldest so far.  Woke about 4:00 .m. and had to don a pair of "longies" and close window tight.  
     At breakfast the talk was chiefly by staff who have lost personal cars to Japs and how to get paid.
     On returning to my room, was met in the corridor by Dr. Erben, a naturalized strange character.  Said he wanted to "get back to U.S.A." on a Portuguese passport he could buy and wanted advice whether such might "queer" (give problems) to his American nationality.  I declined to advise, and JBS told Erben to register first at Room 927, Japanese liason office, before he, JBS, could talk with Erben on the subject.  It is a strange case, and I wonder what is Erben's real purpose.
     A.M. called in afternoon.  Darn.  News gets worse.


February 14, 1942.  Saturday.  69th Day.     
     St. Valentine's Day.  I got no Valentine.
     Snowed.  Good omen, per Chinese, as tomorrow is Chinese New Year, via lunar calendar.
     Cold, cloudy, overcast.  Hard on the beggars.  Many perish.
     Beat Mr. G. 3-2 at cribbage.  Beat Brookhart 2-0 at Rummy.
     Much conviviality at dinner tonight.  Had turkey.
     War news is bad.  What next?  Is it via the Russia of 20 years ago?  God forbid.
     Had roast turkey on tonight's menu.  (Games to pass time and food were important to the captives--Roselyn)
     
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