Chad Sheets of Thorntown

of Thorntown, IN writes:

All, On 12 Nov 1919 my Grandmother, Jacqueline McLaughlin, was born in Saugus, MA. Her parents were Thomas George McLaughlin II and Stella Mildred Huggins. My Father and his twin brother were born in Lynn during WWII.

Grandmother was 1 of 2 children, having a brother named after her Father. Jacqueline was given the name "Jacquelyn" at birth, and no middle name. When WWII broke out and she served in the WAC, they miss typed her name from Jacquelyn to Jacqueline. I guess in those days it was easier to just start changing how you spell your name, rather than try to fight Uncle Sam. She never was too happy over her name change.

She enlisted 06 Dec 1943 at Boston Massachusetts at the age of 24. She had hazel eyes and brown hair, and was 5 foot 3 inches in height according to her military papers. She was Honorably discharged from Camp Hood Texas on 26 Jan 1945. She later worked at the Pentagon in an office as a typist, and settled in Lebanon, IN with her husband and children.

I am attempting to find out anything I can about their lives in Essex Co., MA. I understand that there was a family business (McLaughlin?) in the early part of the century possibly a general like store or mercantile exchange, which I have no documentation on. My Grandmother told stories of living in a very large home as a child in Saugus that had multiple fireplaces and even libraries. My Aunt said the home was made a Historical Landmark, and was being used as a nursing~old folks home when they Grandmother back to visit in the 1970's. If any of this rings any bells, or you can point me in a direction to look, please let me know. I would be very appreciative indeed.

Chad Sheets chadsheets@frontiernet.net 17 Dec 2005