Letter framework

You are living in 1653. Write a letter to your relatives in America explaining to them what has happened in the years since they left home (1647-53).  

Choose 4-6 documents from the sources in this gallery to send with your letter to prove what you write, so that your relatives believe you. Make sure you explain the importance of each document clearly.

This framework will help you get started (or you can write your own letter from scratch). 

My dear family, 

I miss you very much. You have been gone so long I have much news for you. I assure you that everything I write is true.  

The event that you will find hardest to accept is …

To show that this really happened I am sending …

I think you will agree that this document shows that … 

Another amazing event was …

To show that this really happened I am sending …

I think you will agree that this document shows that … 

There were other extraordinary events as well, such as …

To show that this really happened I am sending …

I think you will agree that this document shows that … 

Finally, I am sending this document. It shows … 

There are so many things happening that I could not include all the documents I wanted to show you. I also wanted to tell you about … 

Send me all your news as soon as you can.  

My best wishes …