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From: "Pam Long" <>
Subject: [COSTA-RICA] seeking info Bales family in Costa Rica
Date: Wed, 16 May 2007 12:16:07 -0700


I am attempting to locate the family of my great uncle John Leroy Bales.
I have only basic information from family stories but, will share what I have here in hopes that someone can give me some type of direction as to where to head with this info or where I might obtain death or birth certificates.


John Leroy Bales settled in Costa Rica about 1948.
He lived there with his second wife, Wilma and son Jack.

At some point - prior to to 1960 - John Leroy Bales remarried a Costa Rican girl - the only name I have is Chipita. According to letters received from John L Bales prior to 1965, he had 3 chldren born
Johnny, Shirley and Mary Lee.
====================
this info from a letter
26 April 1962
letter head = Taller Johnny - Apartado 88 - Liberia, Guanacaste, Costa Rica
dated 26 April 1962 - Liberia, Costa Rica
Dear Sister and Mike,
Will try and write you a few lines, it has been so long since I heard you, I dont know what to write about. But hope this finds you both well.
How are things with you and Mike, fine I hope for they are not so good with me and have lost control of my left arm and now my stomach is giving me H--. I wrote you a leter at Xmas time but, did not hear from you. Do you know where Oscar is now. I have not heard from him since 1948, when I first came to Costa Rica. We have a gas station and a small garage on the Pan American Hiway, but, things bad now. We are only making enough to eat and that is all. I have a wonderful wife and three babies. A boy and two girls. When I hear from you, I will send you a picture of them. Mike would like it here for there is good hunthing here. We killed a big jajar (jaguar) or tigeer cat about 20 days ago. About 4 mles for our house , it weighed about 250 lbs. they kill lots cows and horses here on the farms. Grace, I don't know what to write about so will say goodby in til I hear from you,
Lots of love
your broth
John L Bales
====================================
Jack Bales the son of John L married a Costa Rican girl "Chica" is the only name I have had a little boy born prior to 1960. There may have been other children as well.
=====================

2nd wife Wilma Bales and mother of Jack Bales sent a letter to the sister of John L Bales - late August of 1965.
handwrittten letter in ink - no date - possibly 1965
Dear Grace,
Johnny is in Texas for a very serious brain operation. The Ambassador in Costa Rica made all the arrangements for him to come. He had been getting along quite well, then had a stroke of some sort and could hardly walk or use his hands. He came up 31 August. Jack contacted the Red Cross to find out what hospital he was in but they wouldnt do anything, so he is writing to the Medical Board in Texas to trace him and some people in CR will find out also. Jack is so worried because he knows his dad helpless here and may need him. I felt perhaps you would like to know.
Is the awful trouble in Watts near you or affectin you, Jack and I are both concerned. If you would write we would be very happy,
Love
Wilma
*** On August 11, 1965, a routine traffic stop in South Central Los Angeles provided the spark that lit the fire of those seething feelings. The riots lasted for six days, leaving 34 dead, over a thousand people injured, nearly 4,000 arested, and hundreds of buildings destroyed. *****************
====================
handwritten letter in pencil - no date -
Dear Grace,
I am sending you the letter from the US Embassy about Johnny. If you want to write you can write in care of Chipitas brother.
If you ever get a chance whe dont you come see us? Write when you find the time or want to,
Love
Wilma
==============
letter written in ink - no date
4204 N 9th St, B29
Phoenix, AZ
Dear Grace,
we have been waiting for a card or letter from you telling us your new address. I will take a chance on your getting this as Jack has asked me to write.
We have written to everyone in the US and Costa Rica trying to find out about Johnny, bu no one seems to know anything or don't want to know anything. Finally we wrote to the Ambassador at CR but so far have had no reply. As soon as we hear anything we will either call or write.
Jack has a vacation in January, so no doubt he will come see you if he has the money. I may get away then too and go see my mother and perhaps I may get to see you.
Write when you can,
Love
Wilma and all
============================

This is the only information that I have about John L Bales. I am trying to locate a death certificate.
I do not know if he died in Texas or not. I have checked both the US Social Security Death Index and the Texas Death Index and cannot find any record for John L Bales.
I would like to search for a record in Costa Rica if that is possible ....... plus possibly locate birth records for his children and the one grandson.
Its a huge mystery for us and I would just like to know where Uncle Johnny is. He has an 80 yr old daughter who has no idea when her father died or where he is buried.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Pam Long
Sacramento, Ca




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