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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Thursday, December 22, 2011

WR Lynch WW II Diary re Japanese Take-Over in Shanghai China. Days 99 and 100

Will Lynch says soap and food are becoming scarce.  The JBS frequently mentioned as his Rummy partner, may be a Mr. Stanton who was Consul in the State Dept. in Shanghai Consulate.  I have read several wires between State Department Head, Cordell Hull and Consul Stanton written prior to Dec 7, 1941, expressing concern about the threat of the Japanese to Shanghai.  Roselyn


March 16, 1942.  Monday.  99th Day.
     Sunny and warmer.   Soap is getting scarce.  Bought 2 pieces of Palmolive for Chinese $5.20.
     Am reading "Grapes of Wrath".  Very interesting.
     Lost cribbage 3-2 to Mr. Groves.  Beat J.B.S both at cribbage and rummy.
     Food seems to be a bit of a problem--and increasingly so.
     Chan (his former house boy) failed to get the job.  I was afraid he could not qualify.  Probably feels I must support him forever.  "Jean" over radio tonight says she'll keep trying to land him a job.  I gave him $100.00 "fopi"  (not sure what that means) to change for Central Reserve Bank notes, but doubt if he'll make it.


March 17, 1942.  Tuesday.  100th Day.
     St. Patrick's Day.  (His father had emigrated to America from Ireland on that day in 1848.)  
     Good weather.  War news continues "lousy", but apparently U.S.A. and Co. are realizing they must "do their stuff", or else.
     Beat J.B.S. 2-0 at Rummy.
     Finished "Grapes of Wrath" and loaned it to A.M.  Finished "Morgan the Magnificent".
     Have an invite to Chinese chow next Saturday at Mrs. James.  She puts out a good Chinese chow.
     A.M. hopes to get in on repatriation--if and when.
     

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