Mary Elizabeth Rollason, the eldest of nine children of Richard John Rollason and Lucy (nee Evans) was born 25 September 1879 in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. Her mother was a member of the LDS Church and the girls of the family were also members.

Peter Christensen was in Brisbane, possibly on missionary service, when they met and became engaged. Mary left her family and went with Peter to Salt Lake City where they married on the 7 April 1904. She remained a member of the LDS and died in 1966.Mary remained close to her family and wrote regularly of her life.

I have been lucky enough to inherit some of these communications to her mother, Lucy, sister Violet and niece Myrtle who was my grandmother. Postcard collecting was popular as they were pretty and showed scenes of the times. and all three women collected Mary’s postcards into albums. In these, there are mentions of letters and postcards to the other members of her family, who remained in Brisbane and the news was shared between the family.

I'd like to share them with you.

Sunday, 4 September 2011

House in Carey, Idaho



September 28 1911

Carey, Idaho

Dear Violet,
What do you think of this for an American home? I think it is a pretty nice house. It’s made of brick. Have not time to write to you this mail but will do so next time.

Well, another Australian girl is to be married to a Yankee. They are coming here tonight to spend the evening before leaving for Salt Lake City to be married and live, I believe.

All pretty well here, hoping you are the same. With love and best wishes to you both from Mary and Peter Christensen.
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Postcard from Mary to Violet in 1910

(undated but 1910 determined from years of marriage)

Dear Violet

Not having the time to write to you this mail, I am sending you a few lines on a postcard. 

I wrote to you last mail. I will write to you next mail. It is fine weather although rather windy the last few days. The days have been warm of late. It will soon be getting cool in Brisbane. 

It is a year ago since you were married and 6 years for us. Well the time goes fast. I hope you had a good time during your time at Redcliffe. 

Well Carl is off every day with his Papa lately. Peter has been working on his land about a mile from where we live. He has been plowing some land up for his fruit trees and Lucerne seed. We have leased a farm of 80 acres for this summer so I will be busy in haying time working for the man. 

I had a letter from Anna Kratzmann this last mail also a postcard photo of her little boy. 

Well Erik is wanting some attention again and he takes care he gets it! Some days he is a little tyrant especially wash days and then he gives me a fine time of it. 

Love to yourself and husband, 

from Mary and Peter Christensen
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Main Street Carey Idaho



Main Street Carey Idaho

September 28 1911

Dear Mother,
This is a stretch of  Carey. The store shown is about ½ mile from our home. In the picture are shown two hotels but not the kind we have in Australia as they are called there boarding houses. The Post Office joins on the store where I have marked it.

We have some nice houses in Carey and one I have sent to Violet and I suppose she will show you. Glad to hear that leg is feeling better, hoping it will keep that way. Glad to hear that father is working and able to do it. 

Love to you both from all here,
 your loving daughter Mary

(Mary’s father, Richard John Rollason  would have been 66 years old at this time)
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