It's mid-1943 and the country had been at war for about a year and a half and many thousands of servicemen had left their homes -- many with their wives expecting a new son or daughter. About this time, The Sacramento Bee newspaper took on the project of photographing new mothers, with their babies, and sending two prints -- one large and one wallet size -- to the new father. The photo of mother and baby also was printed in the newspaper as a regular feature that lasted nearly to the end of the war.
An accompanying story with the first photo, which appeared on Aug. 25, 1943, told how it was done: "Any mother of a Sacramento 'war baby' wishing to have pictures of the new arrival sent to the father may avail herself of this service by writing or telephoning to the city editor of The Bee.
"A cameraman will take a picture of the baby and mother and The Bee will mail the photographs to the father and present a copy to the mother. That is all there is to it."
Those babies will now be 66-70 years of age. How do I know this? At a recent estate sale, I picked up a scrapbook full of newspaper clippings, all neatly pasted in place, that told the story and included 446 Sacramento Bee clippings showing mothers with their new babies. Although the clippings are not individually dated, the birth dates of the babies pictured seem to end in early summer 1945. Whether the collector tired of the project or The Bee ended the series, I do not know. It is a fascinating service The Bee provided -- which is shown by several articles from servicemen who received the photogaphs.
So, in order to complete this blog, here is the list of the babies, in order of appearance in the scrapbook. If you were born in Sacramento during World War II, you might be on this list. Numbers refer to the scrapbook page.
1. Fowler, Herbert Brereton Jr.
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3. Nicholas, Alan Craig; Acosta, Vicki Lou; Gates, Wayne Roy; Hollingshead, Carol Jeanne; Geyer, Victoria; Uomini, Virginia; Cummings, Robert Lee; Nelson, Cheryl.
4. Collins, Arthur Robert; Bieser, Frederick Stevens; Overton, Vivian Cheryl; Groves, Lewis J.; Hamilton, twins Patricia Ann & Margaret Carol.
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6. Borgia, Raylee Rhonda; Hurst, William Leland; Hensley, Darrell Norman; Parker, Edward Andrew III; Francis, Gale Brent; Wright, William Russell; Gurtler, Judy Ann; Harris, Harell G. Jr.
7. Eichele, Eugene; Carlsen,Karen Rae; Blanchard, Fred Mathew Jr.; De Long, Nina Carleen; Myers, Sonny Louise; Kerr, Barbara Ann; Lemons, Jackie; Ahern, Judy Ann
8. Tucek, Sandra Kay; Hughart, Joan Darlene; Field, Conrad James; Sheltrown, Bradford Lee; Lumry, Carlton; Peek, Carol Ann; Woodard, Sherran Ann; Koeteeuw, Stanley
9. Gregson, Richard; Hix, Pamela
10. Drake, David Patrick; Hurst, Mary Ann
11. Smith, twins Aileen and Elaine; Omand, James
12. Haag, Michael Elliott; Lonsway, Eugene
13. Abrams, Donna Ruth; Ware, Cassandra; Hughson, Patricia Ann; McDaniel, Janet Elaine; Von Behren, Leroy Martin Jr.
14. Carlson, Allen LeRoy; Simmons, Earle Thomas Jr.; Oyler, Harold Douglas; Savage, Kenneth; Lambert, Daniel Robert; Bronk, Robert; Huit, Ralph Jay; Lima, Lawrence Jr.
15. Adam, Arthur John Jr.; Ernst, Kenneth Phil; Seastrand, Paula Marie; Casebeer, Larry Gene; Stone, Sara; Busby, Judith Ann; Hipp, Karen; Manwell, Melvin Randall
16. Robbie, Richard William; Steuben, Janice Marie; McConnen, Enid Elizabeth; McElroy, Donna Sue; Estes, David Eldon; Monson, Milton W. II; Phulps, Judith Lee; Jeffries, Janice Kay
17. Broyer, Judy Ann; Sellers, Janeen
18. Garcia, Henry Ronald; Porta, Louis Jr.
19. Kestell, Suzon Lynne; Stirling, Sanna J.
20. Baker, Lloyd; Crowle, Henry William
21. Moody, Rose Marie; Mysing, Susan Holliday
22. Egolf, Mary Lee; Perry, Madison H. Jr.
23. Werner, Carla; Frye, Joanne Garlene
24. Spitaleri, Joseph; Reed, Michael
25. Mains, Marie Pearl; Cooper, James Franklin
26. Burke, John Thomas; Wetmore, Robert James
27. Whelan, twins Santa Jean and Robert Ennis; Morrison, Mary Louise
28. Standing, Lawrence; Briske, Bruce Kenneth
29. Cabodi, Mickey; Creed, Walter Jesse
30. Bibb, Caroldean; Cornelius, Terry Sue
31. Hildreth, Carolyn Ann; Allphin, Michael Forrest
32. Strothers, Judith Anne; Risney, Carol Anne
33. Hulbert, Louise Gail; Casillas, Sally Diane; Millsap, Marylin Elizabeth; Rogers, Richard Vincent; Bateman, Mary Belle; Jones, Mary Louise; Jones, Stephen Marshall; Boyd, Reggie Clay
34. Dymond, Robert Allen; Barker, Barbara Jean; Ashley, Betty Ruth; Corbell, Richard Angelo; Lockhart, Barbara Roberta; Bryant, Thomas Creston; Scribner, Crystal Firn; Olson, Russell Martin
35. Stephens, James Benton; Murin, William Nicholas; Johnson, Trudie Mae; Bertram, Garland Ray; Dollar, Joe Ray; Eid, Diane Marie; Wilson, Clayton Wesley; Hickey, Victoria Ann
36. Morehead, Jon; Delgano, William Boyd, Jr.; Veach, Kathleen; Ferris, Shirley Susan; Irish, Vickie; Buckley, Kathleen; Lewis, Cynthia; Schmitz, Carolyn
37. Sprock, Karen; Wells, Franklin D.; Sornsen, Roger; Pearson, Margie Marie; Miller, Linda Lee; Martin, Albert Elliott, Jr.; Finkelstein, Paula Rene; Clark, Stephen Rodby
38. Valencia, Anthony Joseph; Royce, Roberta Marie; Smith, Dennis Wayne; Atilano, Juan Antonio; Hughes, Mary Irene; Wisdom, Thomas Harvey; Scalora, Anthony Joseph, Jr.; Hoff, Victoria Ann
39. Olmstead, Carol Ann; Beck, Charles Phillip; Ferguson, Linda; James, Beverly Marie*; Adams, Ronald Irving; James, Beverly Marie*
* One of these is incorrect. The same identification appears beneath two different photos. Refer to Page 63 (top right) for corrected identification. Booth, Douglas Edward; Donahue, Patricia Ann
40. Bitle, Ronald John; Estey, William Clyde; Pardi, Robert Alan; Cook, William Gene; Long, David Albert; Moody, JoAnn; Dole, Robert Edwin; Walsh, Frank Robert
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42. Valine, Joan; Kennedy, Juanita; Pembroke, Timothy Raymond; Hopkins, Patricia Lee; Parks, Valerie; Kelly, James Mahlon; Ford, L. P., Jr.; Amey, Thedore Elizabeth
43. Heidt, Patricia Kay; Cook, Donna Joyce; Hamm, Brooks; Coleman, Carole Linn; Eckley, Kathryn Anne; Holland, Judith Ann; Meredith, Kathleen Meleana; Hammitt, John
44. Stewart, Bonnie Lee; Harrington, Sue; Reagan, Barbara Jean; Quadros, Jo Ann; Taylor, Laurence William; Yeager, Bob Madison; Eck, Michael Lawrence; Kinney, William James, Jr.
45. Hendershot, Nancy Rae; Fleming, Gwendolyn Joyce; Morgan, Robert; Martin, Donald Alan; Provence, Mary Lee; Burnham, twins George and Robert
46. White, Shirley Ann; Tugaeff, George Robert; Freeman, Marsha Corinne; Brown, Gerald; Fausett, Linda; Wynn, Henry Alfred; Salerno, Larry Carl; Neeld, Cheryl Ann
47. Dorr, Jimmy; Tonges, Carolee; Porta, Penny Rose; Enos, Thomas Franklin; Hornbeck, Barbara Lynn; Baker, Gerald Wayne; Meyer, Carolyn Jean; Wegner, Rosemary
48. Hilburn, Helen Laura; Fallwell, Patricia Kay; Robinson, Janice Elaine; Karver, Thomas Michael; Fargo, Kathleen Lynn; Stevens, William David; Morrisseau, Mary Louise; Webster, Sherry Lynn
49. Swett, Margaret; Peters, Ernest Dean; Gonzales, Ralph; Boatwright, Robert Alonzo; Savage, Stephen John; Wood, Kathryn Marie; Simmons, Para Lee Ann; Deaver, Danny Farrell
50. Clothier, Cindy Nadine; Townsend, James; Harrington, Diane; Johnston, Ray H., Jr.; Gallman, Robert Lee; Meder, John Robert III; Villegas, Maurice; Shettlesworth, Cheryl Lea
51. Ross, Shelby Darwin; Hess, Franklin Courtney; DeHermida, Chrissie; McAuliffe, Dennis Reynold; Jackson, Melannie Amelia; Harris, Carolyn Marie; Webster, Carrol Ann; Broadston, Leonard LeRoy, Jr.
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53. Lorenson, Melinda Jill; Metcalf, Barbara Ethel; Parker, Margaret Marie; Serra, Cheryl; Walsh, Glenn John; Hurst, Carol Lee
54. Carter, Virginia; Treloar, Donald Lee; Miller, Sharone Anne; Kirts, Malcolm, Jr.; Diaz, Amelia; Lane, Michele
55. Ward, John William; Parker, Paul; Boydston, Judy; Witbeck, Cynthia; Strong, Robert Ernest; Wood, Kenneth John
56. Graham, Frederick Harold, Jr.; Hawley, Anita Darlene; Myrah, Donald; Kolaitis, Meredith; Hampton, Larry S.Q.; Thielen, Raymond John II
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58. Potter, twins Lawrence John and Louise Marie; Smith, Sharon; Gaines, Dora Louise; Hall, Rickey Alan; Cox, Harvey Glenn; Concannon, David Clifford; Baldi, Frances Patricia* Petrulak, Peter Charles*.
* Baldi and Petrulak Photos switched
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60. Sommers, Linda; Sanchez, Richard Charles; Lauer, Richard Walter; Edwards, Richard Lloyd; Johnson, Pamela Rae; Brady, James Harold, Jr.; Haub, Kenneth Elden; Scott, Mary Jane
61. Morton, LaVerne Carol; Reynaga, Beatrice; Hulett, Bonnie Jean; Felton, Doris Kathleen; Saucedo, Carol Ann; Stramler, James, Jr.; Waddams, Donovan III; Carden, George Dennis
62. Meachen, James David; Emery, Rebecca; Eichele, Eugene; Nelson, Linda Jean; Hoffeditz, Aaron Ross; Chan, Cara Lynette; Brabec, twins Jefferey and Todd; Fong, Franklin
63. McKintley, Dennis Ray; McElwee, George Patrick; Frazier, Theo Earl; Smith, Sharon Kathryn*
* Corrected identification from Page 39 Reynolds, Nadine Esther; Cordano, Alan; Adams, Milton; Perryman, James
64. Brault, Raymond T.; Gray, Carl Jr.; Geibel, John Joseph; Creasey, Sandra Ann; Statz, Kerry Michael; Adamski, Bonnie Lee; Smith, Joseph Herbert; Tregea, William Stewart
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66. Howell, Patricia Joy; Clancy, Michael; Dolton, Terry Allen; Monteleone, Noel; Faringer, Diane; Burns, Garry Le Roy; Swoveland, Dellas Ronald; Gilpin, Shirley Jean
67. Palermo, Mary Paulette; Potter, Gary Lee; Shepard, Elizabeth Ann; Trondsen, Anna Marie; Hahn, Stuart; Aivasian, Owen II
68. Meyer, Kathleen; Blake, Karen Rose; Patterson, James Henry; Nichols, Robert; Nott, Virgena Lynn; Record, Terry Allen; Levensaler, Sandra Gayle; Pyles, Michael James
69. Pierson, Michael William; Goldstein, Michael Louis; Jones, Robert (Bobbie); Nelson, Duane Arthur ;Blackwell, James Alvin; Sims, Thomas Allen; Jones, Melvin, Jr.; Henderson, Sharon Lee
70. Lopez, Delmay; Babcock, Lynn; Rupple, Sandra Lee; Jensen, Kathryn Alice; Adams, Theodore Elman; Porter, Viola; Stuart, Elaine Elizabeth; Fagunes, Carol Lynn
71. Thompson, Larry Douglas; Carlo, Roy Jr.; Elledge, Donna Lee; Steinbrecher, Bette Gene; Yeast, twins Dennis Elwood and Donna Marie; Martin, Mildred Louise; Anderson, Valerie; Irwin, Constance Marie
72. Romine, Roberta Marie; Kitterman, Joseph Peter; Secord, Ronald Scott; Boehm, William Joseph; Collins, Robert; Abegglen, twins Suzanne and Stephen; Howard, Evelyn Gail; Tamantini, Josephine
73. Rau, Dennis Mark; Kinney, Michael Gordon; Puggini, Warren Thomas; Christoffel, Carolyn Marie; Grubbs, Diane Adelaide; Bradford, William Lee; Mussey, Richard Lynn; Wright, Mary Catherine
74. Clary, Roger Allen; Olsen, Lucy Anne; Carey, Nancy Jean; Tomer, Helen; Allen, Patricia Elizabeth; Valencia, Mary Ellen; Leggett, Leslie Ann; Schmidgall, Rene
75. Leavitt, John Sheldon; Hill, Gwendolyn Kaye; Donathan, Larry Dean; Romero, Sandra Lee
76. Bidwell, Leslie Lynne; Murphy, David Kitt; Folstrom, Charles Walton; Allen, John Thomas; Miller, Eddie, Jr.; Wild, Grayce Evelyn; Graham, Marilyn Lee; Albee, Douglas Henri
77. Jerdon, Patsy Ann; Meany, Michael George; Tarbell, Harry III; Daspit, David Michael ;Jellison, Terry Lynne ;Harrison, Virginia; Deisenroth, Linda Lee; Harmon, Carol Ann
78. Olson, Janet Kay; O’Connell, Robert Charles; Hermann, Paul Douglas; Fiskum, Sharon Ann; Sheehy, Jo Ann; Romovich, Ronald Steve; Kemper, Ronald Michael; Gabel, Edward Ronald
79. Simpson, Richard Wayne; Lamb, Shirley Ann; Bicknell, Darcy Anne; Gray, Joyce Norine; Costa, Susana Marie; Massie, Richard Edward; Blaine, James E., Jr.; Middleton, Carol Jean
80. Davis, Nancy Anne; Hall, Wanda Jean; Mains, Eugene Walter; Brown, Delbert Clifton; Riley, Robert Lewis; McGregor, - Twin daughters not named; Alva, Beatrice; Kinser, Doris Sue
81. Brown, Paulletta Jean; Killian, Sharon Lee; Smith, Kenneth Garnett, Jr.; Graham, David Howard; Phillips, Connie May; Williams, Sharon; Flynn, Larry Patrick; Keylor, William Robert
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83. Colley, Jerlean Evelyn; Allen, Roxanne Lee
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