Mrs. William Anders (Gertrude) was my great grandfather's first wife. Their marriage couldn't have been a happy one- William had some kind of sexual relationship (affair? rape?) with my great grandma while he was married. She was 19 years younger than him, and gave birth to his illegitimate child (my grandpa) in 1927. My grandpa was raised by his maternal extended family and never spoke about his father. I've always wondered if the affair had anything to do with Gertrude's suicide. The person I feel most sorry for is little Russell. He didn't deserve to die. 💔
by MadyLcbeth
5 Comments
Oh my goodness. It sounds like she wanted to end her child’s suffering. How unbelievably awful.
Which woman was 19 years younger? Sad outcome for them all. I’m certain that your great grandfather didn’t escape the trauma of this, and that likely contributed to his apparent absence in your grandfather’s life.
Tragic all the way around. 💔 Russell is your half great-uncle.
Ngl, I’m struggling to understand your caption.
What was the illness the child was suffering from?