Wait a second, I just had a thought. Birdie you made me think of it with your post. I remember reading in earlier posts that the curtains were open, the lights were on. So the mother, believing the children had gone to bed had closed them and turned off the lights, figuring the children in their excitement over the toys had forgotten to turn off the lights and close the curtains. That was a job they were supposed to do each night. So... Here's a question. let's say the door was open too. And the kids were outside of the house taking care of the chickens and other outdoor duties. If she closed and locked the door they'd be stuck outside. Um... Would they have banged on the door to be let in? or could it be a possibility that instead they went to say a neighbor's house or something, perhaps someone was still awake in a home nearby if they didn't want to wake their parents.
WV - Sodder Family - 5 children, Christmas eve 1945 - #3
- Thread starter Nocgirl
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GUYS! Check out girl in the magazine page I think I may have found the photo finally!!! Take a look and tell me what you all think! It is a 1947 picture of girls in a ballet class and one of them I think looks a lot like Betty!!! Not good at sizing that up but want to know what you guys think!!!!
Thanks!
Thanks!
One more idea I was thinking of. I remember distinctly reading that there was NO christmas tree that year. That it was a sad time for the family because the oldest brother was stationed in the armed services somewhere and could not be home for christmas. I remember that Jennie said that a fire could not have started from a tree because there was no christmas tree. Did anyone notice anything missing from the shed? Welp I do know a ladder was missing and was found aways down the road by the telephone line but I am talking about an axe or something. Any possibility the kids thought if they went out and got a tree that the family would be less sad? Or did the kids want a tree? Or something of that nature?
TallCoolOne
Illinois ~ Our Governors make our license plates
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Heh, heh....... me thinks you forgot the link to the picture......
Catsy, I reread an article last night that did say the lights were on, the shades were up, and the door was opened, so she drew the shades, locked the door, turned off the lights, and went back to bed.
I also wondered if they had been locked out. I doubt they would have wandered off and gotten hurt though because of all the other weird things surrounding the case. I tend to believe the inn keeper who claimed to have seen them later. I also think if bodies had been found anywhere in the region, even way down the river, that it would have been checked out. It didn't take long before the parents started suspecting there was more to the story and hired a PI.
I also wondered if they had been locked out. I doubt they would have wandered off and gotten hurt though because of all the other weird things surrounding the case. I tend to believe the inn keeper who claimed to have seen them later. I also think if bodies had been found anywhere in the region, even way down the river, that it would have been checked out. It didn't take long before the parents started suspecting there was more to the story and hired a PI.
I don't think this detail is too significant, but I should correct myself. I've been saying that Mr. Sodder went to Fl to search for the kids, but he had sent a PI to do it instead. I reread all the old posts this weekend, so hopefully the details will be fresher in my mind now.
I wanted to ask Granddaughter about her great-grandmother Maria Cipriani. I know she was living when her husband passed away in 1944, but I don't see her death certificate on the WV culture website. Did she move away?
Also, one old post mentioned a forum called justice quest. I don't know if that's the one that they kept talking about with lablover who was posting so much good info, but I've searched and don't think it's up anymore. Is there anyone who used to read the other forum who remembers any info listed there but not here? If so, it would be great if you would post it.
I wanted to ask Granddaughter about her great-grandmother Maria Cipriani. I know she was living when her husband passed away in 1944, but I don't see her death certificate on the WV culture website. Did she move away?
Also, one old post mentioned a forum called justice quest. I don't know if that's the one that they kept talking about with lablover who was posting so much good info, but I've searched and don't think it's up anymore. Is there anyone who used to read the other forum who remembers any info listed there but not here? If so, it would be great if you would post it.
Lablover, if I am not mistaken, was on the "Hey Martha board" for the Register Herald, Beckley, WV. If my memory serves be right, he knew alot about Smithers, WV and the goings on during that time. Lablover wanted to get on Websleuths but never could. The Hey Martha board was taken down. I don't think you can read any of the old posts. There is, however, and interesting comment on Stacy Horn's blog (after she did her story). Would take some searching to find it but someone who was familiar with Smithers posted a few interesting "tales" about the town. I think Lablover was living in Arizona at the time he posted.
Teresa Larson
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Have you read the the download statements on the sodder children's web site? There is a one from Mary Ann the oldest daughter. The missing children were still playing when she fell asleep on the couch the night of the fire. There is also a letter from Mr Sodder and a few others. It's all worth reading.
Catsy, that does look a lot like Betty. I didn't think it did as much at first until I saw it enlarged. Then I minimized the screen some and viewed it side-by-side with the picture we know is Betty and I saw a lot of similarities.
BTW, since I only live about 4 hrs from the Cortez/Bradenton, Fl area, I'll be taking a couple of days off work soon to go down and see if I can find out anything. I'd like to try to find out what I can that might help me before I go, so I'll put a few questions out there in case anyone can answer them:
When did Frank Cipriani move to FL? (I just know it was sometime between the census of April 1930 and his father's death in October 1944.)
How many kids did he have? Any dates and ages would help too. (I know he had 2 in the 1930 census, Edward, 8, and Joseph, 5. I know there's a Frank Jr too, but he might be one of the same boys who went by a middle name. He's likely to have had many more, and while I'm on my trip I'll look up any births down here, but if anyone in WV has already looked up the WV births or could, that would be great. If not, I'll do it next month when I visit WV.)
When were the children supposedly seen down there, and when did the private investigator go there?
I read one place that there were 3 people who claimed to see them there. Is there any record of who these witnesses were?
I plan to see what I can find out from the local library and courthouse. Maybe the library will have old yearbooks. Also, if I can find out what public or Catholic school they might have attended if they were there long, I'll try to see what I can find out there (if it isn't abandoned for summer). I'll see if I can find the church they attended, too.
If anyone else has ideas of where I can check, please let me know.
BTW, since I only live about 4 hrs from the Cortez/Bradenton, Fl area, I'll be taking a couple of days off work soon to go down and see if I can find out anything. I'd like to try to find out what I can that might help me before I go, so I'll put a few questions out there in case anyone can answer them:
When did Frank Cipriani move to FL? (I just know it was sometime between the census of April 1930 and his father's death in October 1944.)
How many kids did he have? Any dates and ages would help too. (I know he had 2 in the 1930 census, Edward, 8, and Joseph, 5. I know there's a Frank Jr too, but he might be one of the same boys who went by a middle name. He's likely to have had many more, and while I'm on my trip I'll look up any births down here, but if anyone in WV has already looked up the WV births or could, that would be great. If not, I'll do it next month when I visit WV.)
When were the children supposedly seen down there, and when did the private investigator go there?
I read one place that there were 3 people who claimed to see them there. Is there any record of who these witnesses were?
I plan to see what I can find out from the local library and courthouse. Maybe the library will have old yearbooks. Also, if I can find out what public or Catholic school they might have attended if they were there long, I'll try to see what I can find out there (if it isn't abandoned for summer). I'll see if I can find the church they attended, too.
If anyone else has ideas of where I can check, please let me know.
Okay on a whim I just looked up Sodder in FL in the white pages online Came up with three names and ages all in different areas in FL.
Cynthia Sodder lives in Plant City It states that she is 36 years of age but she is unlisted so no phone number
Ricky Sodder also lives in Plant City It states that he is 51 years of age but he is also unlisted so no phone number
John Sodder lives in Gulf Breeze It states that he is 72 years of age but is also unlisted No Number
Russel Sodder lives in Jacksonville it does not say an age and again unlisted so no number
These are the only sodders it shows in all of FL but might be worth a look. Could the younger ones potentially be the children of some of these children or grandchildren?
Cynthia Sodder lives in Plant City It states that she is 36 years of age but she is unlisted so no phone number
Ricky Sodder also lives in Plant City It states that he is 51 years of age but he is also unlisted so no phone number
John Sodder lives in Gulf Breeze It states that he is 72 years of age but is also unlisted No Number
Russel Sodder lives in Jacksonville it does not say an age and again unlisted so no number
These are the only sodders it shows in all of FL but might be worth a look. Could the younger ones potentially be the children of some of these children or grandchildren?
Okay on the other side of the coin, tons of cipriani's live in FL.
I'll get a list
(I think we each need to take some names and start making some phone calls, if granddaughter does not know which ones are family and which aren't. Perhaps, given it has been so long, some of them will talk to us). So let me know who can do what.
Who wants to take the first list?
Here it is:
A Cipriani
home
654 Hummingbird Ln
Delray Beach, FL 33445-1882
(561) 498-8471
A Cipriani
home
1501 Middle Gulf Dr
Sanibel, FL 33957-6528
(239) 395-0815
Listing Details
A Cipriani
home
1501 Middle Gulf Dr
Sanibel, FL 33957-6528
(239) 395-0815
Listing Details
Adolph Cipriani
home
8300 Southwind Bay Cir
Fort Myers, FL 33908-6028
(239) 454-5430
Listing Details
Andrea Cipriani
home
8515 Bent Creek Way
Naples, FL 34114-9423
(239) 774-2248
Listing Details
Ann Cipriani
work
5 Harvard Cir
West Palm Bch, FL 33409-1979
(561) 683-3313
Listing Details
Ann D Cipriani
home
5 Harvard Cir
West Palm Beach, FL 33409-1979
(561) 683-3313
Listing Details
Anthony J Jr & Jacqueline A Cipriani
home
723 Espanola Way
Melbourne, FL 32901-4101
(321) 951-4854
Listing Details
Anthony Cipriani
work
14510 Black Lake Rd
Odessa, FL 33556-3662
(813) 920-8725
Listing Details
I'll get a list
(I think we each need to take some names and start making some phone calls, if granddaughter does not know which ones are family and which aren't. Perhaps, given it has been so long, some of them will talk to us). So let me know who can do what.
Who wants to take the first list?
Here it is:
A Cipriani
home
654 Hummingbird Ln
Delray Beach, FL 33445-1882
(561) 498-8471
A Cipriani
home
1501 Middle Gulf Dr
Sanibel, FL 33957-6528
(239) 395-0815
Listing Details
A Cipriani
home
1501 Middle Gulf Dr
Sanibel, FL 33957-6528
(239) 395-0815
Listing Details
Adolph Cipriani
home
8300 Southwind Bay Cir
Fort Myers, FL 33908-6028
(239) 454-5430
Listing Details
Andrea Cipriani
home
8515 Bent Creek Way
Naples, FL 34114-9423
(239) 774-2248
Listing Details
Ann Cipriani
work
5 Harvard Cir
West Palm Bch, FL 33409-1979
(561) 683-3313
Listing Details
Ann D Cipriani
home
5 Harvard Cir
West Palm Beach, FL 33409-1979
(561) 683-3313
Listing Details
Anthony J Jr & Jacqueline A Cipriani
home
723 Espanola Way
Melbourne, FL 32901-4101
(321) 951-4854
Listing Details
Anthony Cipriani
work
14510 Black Lake Rd
Odessa, FL 33556-3662
(813) 920-8725
Listing Details
List 2 who can take it? BTW anyone without a phone number should be sent a letter with a number they can reach one of us at.
Antonio Cipriani
home
22100 SW 194th Ave
Miami, FL 33170-1212
(305) 242-9300
Listing Details
Antonio Cipriani
work
PO Box 0862
Miami, FL 33152-0862
phone number unavailable
Listing Details
Bruno & Mae Cipriani
home
8703 N Packwood Ave
Tampa, FL 33604-1033
(813) 932-0257
Listing Details
Carlo R Cipriani
home
16258 SW 44th Ln
Miami, FL 33185-3857
(305) 228-6477
Listing Details
Carmela I & Joseph T Cipriani
home
9064 Thunderbird Dr
Coral Springs, FL 33065-4323
(954) 344-3959
Listing Details
Cecilia Cipriani
home
10423 Old Cutler Rd, Apt 205
Cutler Bay, FL 33190-1724
(305) 238-2761
Listing Details
Charles Cipriani
work
11135 Quality Dr
Spring Hill, FL 34609-9605
(352) 797-7085
Listing Details
Choylan & Gabriel A Cipriani
home
15670 SW 100th Ave, Apt 10
Miami, FL 33157-1617
(305) 252-8436
Listing Details
Choylan & Kesa Cipriani
home
15670 SW 100th Ave
Miami, FL 33157-1617
(305) 252-8436
Listing Details
Christian Cipriani
work
PO Box 0566
Miami, FL 33137-0566
(305) 756-6200
Listing Details
Christian A Cipriani
home
500 NE 26th St, Apt 5D
Miami, FL 33137-5202
phone number unavailable
Listing Details
Christian J & Lenore M Cipriani
home
1020 Blackwater Dr
Wesley Chapel, FL 33543-3950
phone number unavailable
Listing Details
Cinzia Cipriani
home
9149 Collins Ave, Apt 208
Surfside, FL 33154-3154
phone number unavailable
Listing Details
Antonio Cipriani
home
22100 SW 194th Ave
Miami, FL 33170-1212
(305) 242-9300
Listing Details
Antonio Cipriani
work
PO Box 0862
Miami, FL 33152-0862
phone number unavailable
Listing Details
Bruno & Mae Cipriani
home
8703 N Packwood Ave
Tampa, FL 33604-1033
(813) 932-0257
Listing Details
Carlo R Cipriani
home
16258 SW 44th Ln
Miami, FL 33185-3857
(305) 228-6477
Listing Details
Carmela I & Joseph T Cipriani
home
9064 Thunderbird Dr
Coral Springs, FL 33065-4323
(954) 344-3959
Listing Details
Cecilia Cipriani
home
10423 Old Cutler Rd, Apt 205
Cutler Bay, FL 33190-1724
(305) 238-2761
Listing Details
Charles Cipriani
work
11135 Quality Dr
Spring Hill, FL 34609-9605
(352) 797-7085
Listing Details
Choylan & Gabriel A Cipriani
home
15670 SW 100th Ave, Apt 10
Miami, FL 33157-1617
(305) 252-8436
Listing Details
Choylan & Kesa Cipriani
home
15670 SW 100th Ave
Miami, FL 33157-1617
(305) 252-8436
Listing Details
Christian Cipriani
work
PO Box 0566
Miami, FL 33137-0566
(305) 756-6200
Listing Details
Christian A Cipriani
home
500 NE 26th St, Apt 5D
Miami, FL 33137-5202
phone number unavailable
Listing Details
Christian J & Lenore M Cipriani
home
1020 Blackwater Dr
Wesley Chapel, FL 33543-3950
phone number unavailable
Listing Details
Cinzia Cipriani
home
9149 Collins Ave, Apt 208
Surfside, FL 33154-3154
phone number unavailable
Listing Details
List 3
Donna C Cipriani
home
315 Timberwood Ct
Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33418-3596
phone number unavailable
Listing Details
716 Jamestown Blvd
Altamonte Springs, FL 32714-4656
(407) 682-8758
Listing Details
Daniel J Jr Cipriani
home
2144 SE Harlow St
Port Saint Lucie, FL 34952-4990
(772) 337-4783
Listing Details
Daniel J Cipriani
home
3521 SW Dellamano St
Port Saint Lucie, FL 34953-5240
phone number unavailable
Listing Details
Danielle Cipriani
work
200 S Parker St
Tampa, FL 33606-2308
(813) 221-5788
Listing Details
David M Cipriani
home
234 SW Ridgecrest Dr
Port Saint Lucie, FL 34953-5915
(772) 785-5495
Listing Details
David & Rachael G Cipriani
home
3724 Bellewater Blvd
Riverview, FL 33578-3109
phone number unavailable
Listing Details
David Cipriani
home
103 13th Ave, Apt 12
St Pete Beach, FL 33706-4257
phone number unavailable
Listing Details
Deanna L & Frank P III Cipriani
home
2806 18th St W
Bradenton, FL 34205-6344
phone number unavailable
Listing Details
Diana Cipriani
work
3900 Biscayne Blvd
Miami, FL 33137-3721
(305) 325-2370
Listing Details
Diana M Cipriani
home
268 Egret Way
Weston, FL 33327-1105
(954) 349-4990
Listing Details
Dominic Cipriani
work
5440 N Ocean Dr
West Palm Bch, FL 33404-2528
(561) 881-7389
Listing Details
Dominic Cipriani
home
5440 N Ocean Dr, Ph 301
West Palm Beach, FL 33404-2530
(561) 881-7389
Listing Details
Donna Cipriani
home
5344 Woodland Lakes Dr, Apt 224
Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33418-3958
phone number unavailable
Listing Details
Ellen R Cipriani
home
11615 Pure Pebble Dr
Riverview, FL 33569-9007
phone number unavailable
Listing Details
Evelin C Cipriani
home
4370 NW 107th Ave, Apt 107-4
Doral, FL 33178-1879
phone number unavailable
Listing Details
Donna C Cipriani
home
315 Timberwood Ct
Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33418-3596
phone number unavailable
Listing Details
716 Jamestown Blvd
Altamonte Springs, FL 32714-4656
(407) 682-8758
Listing Details
Daniel J Jr Cipriani
home
2144 SE Harlow St
Port Saint Lucie, FL 34952-4990
(772) 337-4783
Listing Details
Daniel J Cipriani
home
3521 SW Dellamano St
Port Saint Lucie, FL 34953-5240
phone number unavailable
Listing Details
Danielle Cipriani
work
200 S Parker St
Tampa, FL 33606-2308
(813) 221-5788
Listing Details
David M Cipriani
home
234 SW Ridgecrest Dr
Port Saint Lucie, FL 34953-5915
(772) 785-5495
Listing Details
David & Rachael G Cipriani
home
3724 Bellewater Blvd
Riverview, FL 33578-3109
phone number unavailable
Listing Details
David Cipriani
home
103 13th Ave, Apt 12
St Pete Beach, FL 33706-4257
phone number unavailable
Listing Details
Deanna L & Frank P III Cipriani
home
2806 18th St W
Bradenton, FL 34205-6344
phone number unavailable
Listing Details
Diana Cipriani
work
3900 Biscayne Blvd
Miami, FL 33137-3721
(305) 325-2370
Listing Details
Diana M Cipriani
home
268 Egret Way
Weston, FL 33327-1105
(954) 349-4990
Listing Details
Dominic Cipriani
work
5440 N Ocean Dr
West Palm Bch, FL 33404-2528
(561) 881-7389
Listing Details
Dominic Cipriani
home
5440 N Ocean Dr, Ph 301
West Palm Beach, FL 33404-2530
(561) 881-7389
Listing Details
Donna Cipriani
home
5344 Woodland Lakes Dr, Apt 224
Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33418-3958
phone number unavailable
Listing Details
Ellen R Cipriani
home
11615 Pure Pebble Dr
Riverview, FL 33569-9007
phone number unavailable
Listing Details
Evelin C Cipriani
home
4370 NW 107th Ave, Apt 107-4
Doral, FL 33178-1879
phone number unavailable
Listing Details
List 4
Fay M Cipriani
home
13811 Willow Bridge Dr
North Fort Myers, FL 33903-7217
(239) 995-0975
Listing Details
Frank G Cipriani
home
7900 SW 102nd Pl
Miami, FL 33173-3962
(305) 412-4000
Listing Details
Frank Cipriani
home
307 Winfield Way
Nokomis, FL 34275-1978
phone number unavailable
Listing Details
Frank P Jr & Joanne A Cipriani
home
3135 37th St E
Palmetto, FL 34221-8806
(941) 722-6099
Listing Details
Frank Cipriani
home
39650 Us Highway 19 N
Tarpon Springs, FL 34689-7902
(727) 939-3355
Listing Details
Giovanna Cipriani
work
3201 Collins Ave
Miami Beach, FL 33140-4023
(305) 535-3009
Listing Details
Giovanni G & Johanna L Cipriani
home
1167 NW 128th Ct
Miami, FL 33182-2504
(305) 553-9687
Listing Details
Giuseppe Cipriani
work
3201 Collins Ave
Miami Beach, FL 33140-4023
(305) 535-3009
Listing Details
Jennifer Cipriani
work
PO Box 5940
Pinecrest, FL 33256-5940
(904) 247-4993
Listing Details
Jennifer M Cipriani
home
PO Box 6411
Sarasota, FL 34230-6411
phone number unavailable
Listing Details
Joe Cipriani
work
605 Suwannee St
Tallahassee, FL 32399-3601
(850) 414-5203
Listing Details
Fay M Cipriani
home
13811 Willow Bridge Dr
North Fort Myers, FL 33903-7217
(239) 995-0975
Listing Details
Frank G Cipriani
home
7900 SW 102nd Pl
Miami, FL 33173-3962
(305) 412-4000
Listing Details
Frank Cipriani
home
307 Winfield Way
Nokomis, FL 34275-1978
phone number unavailable
Listing Details
Frank P Jr & Joanne A Cipriani
home
3135 37th St E
Palmetto, FL 34221-8806
(941) 722-6099
Listing Details
Frank Cipriani
home
39650 Us Highway 19 N
Tarpon Springs, FL 34689-7902
(727) 939-3355
Listing Details
Giovanna Cipriani
work
3201 Collins Ave
Miami Beach, FL 33140-4023
(305) 535-3009
Listing Details
Giovanni G & Johanna L Cipriani
home
1167 NW 128th Ct
Miami, FL 33182-2504
(305) 553-9687
Listing Details
Giuseppe Cipriani
work
3201 Collins Ave
Miami Beach, FL 33140-4023
(305) 535-3009
Listing Details
Jennifer Cipriani
work
PO Box 5940
Pinecrest, FL 33256-5940
(904) 247-4993
Listing Details
Jennifer M Cipriani
home
PO Box 6411
Sarasota, FL 34230-6411
phone number unavailable
Listing Details
Joe Cipriani
work
605 Suwannee St
Tallahassee, FL 32399-3601
(850) 414-5203
Listing Details
List 5
John L & Bonnie M Cipriani
home
1 Seminole Dr
Saint Augustine, FL 32084-1224
(904) 823-8624
Listing Details
Leonardo Cipriani
work
998 Bluewood Ter
Weston, FL 33327-2050
(954) 384-1076
Listing Details
Joseph Cipriani
home
1710 NW Second Ave
Gainesville, FL 32603-2829
(352) 376-0139
Listing Details
Joseph Cipriani
home
10010 Skinner Lake Dr
Jacksonville, FL 32246-8408
phone number unavailable
Listing Details
Judith A & Charles F Cipriani
home
15276 Alba Dr
Brooksville, FL 34604-0729
(352) 796-4349
Listing Details
Lia M Cipriani
home
182 N Sunset Dr
Mount Dora, FL 32757-5409
phone number unavailable
Listing Details
Lorraine Cipriani
work
130 NW 108th Ter
Pembroke Pines, FL 33026-4075
(954) 442-0012
Listing Details
John L & Bonnie M Cipriani
home
1 Seminole Dr
Saint Augustine, FL 32084-1224
(904) 823-8624
Listing Details
Leonardo Cipriani
work
998 Bluewood Ter
Weston, FL 33327-2050
(954) 384-1076
Listing Details
Joseph Cipriani
home
1710 NW Second Ave
Gainesville, FL 32603-2829
(352) 376-0139
Listing Details
Joseph Cipriani
home
10010 Skinner Lake Dr
Jacksonville, FL 32246-8408
phone number unavailable
Listing Details
Judith A & Charles F Cipriani
home
15276 Alba Dr
Brooksville, FL 34604-0729
(352) 796-4349
Listing Details
Lia M Cipriani
home
182 N Sunset Dr
Mount Dora, FL 32757-5409
phone number unavailable
Listing Details
Lorraine Cipriani
work
130 NW 108th Ter
Pembroke Pines, FL 33026-4075
(954) 442-0012
Listing Details
Teresa Larson
New Member
- Joined
- Oct 21, 2006
- Messages
- 799
- Reaction score
- 151
I would ask Granddaughter about this before starting to make all the phone calls surely her mother knows who her relatives are.
- Status