DAPHNE, Ala. — Old Daphne families opened long-sealed envelopes at Thursday’s Coffee with the Mayor in City Hall.

Four envelopes addressed separately to the Jordan, Baggette and Seale, Bertagnolli and Hanson families were emptied after storage since 1976, according to the city.

Charlotte Jordan Fender opened a letter written from her father — Glen Jordan, Daphne’s mayor from 1964-1976 — to her mother, with a check for $1 million.

“It touches my heart that I have something from my family that is very dear to me,” Fender said of the long lost letter. She does not think the check is still valid, though.

Betty Hanson opened an envelope her mother sealed with recipes for spice cookies and fish.

Some families did not want to reveal the contents of the envelope or read the letters, because they felt they were personal to the family.

Denise Penry, Public Works accountant, found the envelopes several weeks ago in the attic of her work place.

“It was actually in a bunch of old files in the old Public Works and planning building behind City Hall, but that building was knocked down after Hurricane Ivan,” Penry said. “When they moved the stuff to City Hall, it moved along with it.”

According to Mayor Fred Small, the so-called time capsules were supposed to be opened in 2009.

“The year 2009 was written on one of the envelopes, and we at City Hall weren’t even knowledgeable that they existed until they were found at Public Works,” said Jane Robbins, administrative assistant to the mayor.

Robbins said the family members alluded to more envelopes, but they have yet to be discovered.

Coffee with the Mayor is held on the final Thursday every other month in City Hall.