Ginny Heinlein's brother

[JimC]

His name was Leon Joseph Gerstenfeld. Like Ginny., he was born in New York; he died in Connecticut in 1943 at age 22.
I never asked Ginny any questions about him because I didn't want to bring up difficult memories, and I don't recall her ever saying much about him. Ginny always looked to the future rather than the past, except for her last stays in the hospital when she would reminisce about the old days during the wee hours when she couldn't sleep. And during her work with Bill on Robert's biography of course.

A few days ago, I was thinking about Ginny and her Quince jelly. I realized I didn't know if it was a family recipe. And that got me to thinking about her family - which led to thoughts of Leon. I know next to nothing about him and regret that. Can any of you tell me more?

 

[hitmouse]

My grandfather died aged about 22 in 1941. There is no-one left alive, as far as I am aware, who actually knew him. We have a few photographs, and some stories told by his late siblings and my grandmother. Significant to the family history, but nearly 4 generations later, becoming less so.

This is the problem. A 22 year old has not usually had much chance to leave a mark on the world. Life just goes on and memories fade after 70+ years. If a written or oral history is not available, then we are left with birth, death, and marriage certificates, maybe some old photos, or newspaper clippings if we are really lucky.

 

[JimC]

There might be something in Bill's biography of Robert. I dunno - Bill gave me copies, but I haven't read them.

It's also possible that Eleanor or Amy might remember something. I'll ask them.
If they don't remember, I doubt anyone does.

 

[Dave]

Leon Joseph "Sonny" Gerstenfeld
1921–1943
BIRTH 5 NOV 1921 • New York City, New York, USA
DEATH 10 NOV 1943 • New London, New London, Connecticut, USA
Burial - New London, New London County, Connecticut, United States of America
Residence 1925-1940 Brooklyn (Districts 751-1000), Brooklyn, Kings, New York, USA

Parents
George Joseph Gerstenfeld 1880–1950
Jeanne Doris "Jennie" Rosenthal 1890–1985

Sister
Virginia (Ginny) Doris Gerstenfeld
1916–2003
BIRTH 22 APRIL 1916 • Brooklyn, Kings County (Brooklyn), New York, United States of America
DEATH 18 JAN 2003 • Atlantic Beach, Duval, Florida, USA
Married
Robert Anson Heinlein
1907–1988
BIRTH 7 JUL 1907 • Butler, Bates County, Missouri, United States of America
DEATH 8 MAY 1988 • Carmel-by-the-Sea, Monterey County, California, United States of America

Reference: Ancestry Trees

There are Newspaper reports concerning his death, an "Accident or Emergency Incident," but I don't have a subscription for those at Ancestry or to any US Newspaper Archives elsewhere.

Go into your local library and ask them to help you look in the New York 'Daily News' for 11 Nov 1943 or the Connecticut 'The New London Evening Day' for 10 Nov 1943.

 

[JimC]

Thanks, Dave

 

[Dave]

If you find out how he died from those newspapers please do let us know here. Someone who died in 1943, I would automatically think had died in the war. It doesn't appear to have been related to his war service, but it was obviously something sudden, and of interest enough to make the newspapers, so possibly violent, or an accident, and certainly unfortunate.

 

[JimC]

From his class rating, he worked in the engine room of a ship.
I suspect a boiler incident while in port or during training.
Possibly in Groton.

 

[JimC]

I've located several photos of him and Ginny as children in Box 318 of hers and Robert's archived records.
And two photos of one of my oldest daughter's middle school science projects, also in Box 318.

From what I'm seeing, I'm glad I didn't ask Ginny about him. She struggled enough with missing Robert (I didn't ask questions about Robert either).

 

[Dave]

I've found somewhere that I can see parts of a Newspaper image without having a subscription. However, I can only see bits and pieces that way.

It appears that he was involved in an accident with the 6.19 New London Tramcar whilst he was on his way to the submarine base. He attempted to alight while it was still in motion. It was customary for the tram doors to open before the tram came into a station.

 

[JimC]

Thanks again, Dave.

 

[JimC]

My daughter is a librarian and was able to copy one of the articles for me.
It was a horrible accident, and it's best that I never questioned Ginny about it.
Thank you Dave, for your help.