Suffolk Dialect and the Rhyming Ladies

There is a great tradition of letter writing between the female members on my maternal side of the family.

 These letters are usually written in rhyme (see the second page in this section), but sometimes they were written in the Suffolk dialect. My Granny Jean (JEMS, as known to me) used to write in Suffolk to her cousin Peggy. Here's an extract from one of Peggy's letters - written on narrow strips of paper all joined together into a long letter as a response to one from my Granny written in a circle... this was written in honour of my Granny's birthday.

My Dare Jean,

Seein as how yar got a bathday - I mean birthday I thought yow mite like a long letta and as this here squit tek a rare long time to rite, I'm makin' a early start du that 'ont git done.

I hoop you'll hev a whooly happy bathday an'  a lot more't come. Thas a rummin' hew quickly tha yares dew come round. I see the shops were full'o Christmas stuff as smornin' when I was in town.

... owd weeds grow whatever the weather an' i've got some beauties. That I hev bor!

Joan an Bob are olrite. He's a lot betta then he wore but he het a go careful like. Them there babes of Michael they're lovely kids little 'un she copy all David du, and like all the family she talk plenty...

If you arn't tired o'readin' this squit, I am of writing it. 

So much love and sincere greetings from.

Peggy.

Translation for those who have no idea what's going on...

My Dear Jean,

Seeing as how it's your birthday... I thought you might like a long letter and as this one will take a long time time to write I'm making an early start otherwise it won't get finished.

I hope you'll have a very happy birthday and a lot more to come. Isn't it funny how quickly they come around? I saw the shops were full of Christmas stuff this morning when I was in town.

...Weeds grow whatever the weather and I've got lots. That I have Boy!...

...Joan and Bob are ok. He's a lot better than he was but he has to be careful. Michael's children are lovely. The youngest copies David and like the rest of the family, talks a lot.

If you're not bored of reading this nonsense: I am of writing it.

Peggy