1937-1947 Diaries Covering a Decade in the Life of Typical Small Town New York Newlywed As Her Family and Responsibilities Grow

On offer is a fascinating firsthand glimpse into the daily life of a typical young woman who becomes a wife and mother living near Buffalo, New York during the grinding days of the Great Depression and the war years of WWII. This is a collection of two five-year diaries.

The author of these two diaries is Edna Bell (Pikett) Buchheit (1914-1999). Edna was born to Charles and Mary (Hammerschmidt) Pikett and raised near Buffalo. On October 30, 1937, Edna married Charles Francis Buchheit (1913-1997). Together, they had two sons, Charles and David. Charles (called Chuck in the diaries) worked as a machinist. They lived near Buffalo, around Orchard Park. 

Charmingly, Edna’s first diary begins on the day of her nuptials to Charles, but her inscription in the front states that the diary was, “Purchased while on honeymoon”, so her first few entries must have been made retrospectively. The diary covers Oct 30, 1937 through Oct 7, 1941. Some excerpts from the first dairy follow: 

“Married at 12. Drove around til supper Left at 8:30. Stayed overnight at Westfield. Arrived 10:45. Lovely day” [Oct 30, 1937].

“Worked all day at Mrs. Smiths. Chuck went to Buff...I went to…Orchard Park. Very hot day and getting dry” [July 21, 1939]. 

“I helped Chuck until about 3 p.m. Home in p.m. Went to ballgame…” [Aug 16, 1940].

“Chuck and I went to Buff in a.m. To Seneca Electric about ice box. Bought drapery material, gifts…” [June 9, 1941]. 

Edna’s second diary begins January 1, 1943 and concludes on December 30, 1947. It is a treat to be able to follow Edna and Chuck as they become parents for the first time in 1943 and again in 1947:

“Baby born 6:21. Weight 7 lbs 6 oz21 1/2 inches. I was sleepy most of the day. Chuck to see me in afternoon and his mother in eve” [May 28, 1943]. 

“Rainy all day. I had very bad time. Baby boy (9 lbs 12 oz) born 6:58pm” [April 16, 1947]. 

Edna’s entries in the second diary explore her life as the matriarch of a young family, supporting her working husband and young children. Her growth from the first diary is evident, even her handwriting matures in the second diary. [Note: She refers to her husband as Chuck and her eldest son as Chucky]. 

“Mostly fair, later cloudy. I washed. Went to O.P [Orchard Park, NY] Voted and shopped in p.m. Chuck went to work at 6:30…F.D.R. reelected” [Nov 7, 1944]. 

“Colder and sunny. Invasion on coast of France began soon after 12 midnight. Chucky and I went to E.A. [East Aurora, NY] in a.m. Deposited $100 in bank for us and $10 for Charlie To Mom’s awhile in evening” [June 6, 1944]. 

“Lot of pain in AM and until about 2:00. Called Mom to come and help me. She took Chuckie home with her. At Dr. in eve. Then to Moms. Have kidney infection” [Oct 12, 1945].

“Lovely sunny day. Rather cool. Marie came for us. She washed baby clothes. Mom helped was my hair. David cried lots. In eve we to O.P.” [May 10, 1947]. 

These 10 years offer an outstanding window into the world of an ordinary woman and her family as they make their life in the very difficult years of the 1930’s and 1940’s. For a social historian, it is also an excellent look at life in small-town America during this period. It is an excellent resource as well for a Womens’ Studies program or research as it provides a decades-long look at the life of this woman, her roles and those of the women in her life.

The first diary measures 5x4 inches,contains 365 pages, and is about 90% complete. The covers are in fair condition. The hasp on the lock strap is broken. The spine is intact but the back cover has separated from it. The pages are in good condition. Handwriting reasonably legible. The second diary measures 5.5 x4.5 inches. It  has 365 pages and is approximately 75% complete. The covers are in good condition but the hasp on the lock strap is broken. Handwriting legible. Overall Fair.