Suppose that  $f:X\to C$ is a general Jacobian elliptic surface over
$f:X\to C$ is a general Jacobian elliptic surface over  ${\mathbb {C}}$ of irregularity
${\mathbb {C}}$ of irregularity  $q$ and positive geometric genus
$q$ and positive geometric genus  $h$. Assume that
$h$. Assume that  $10 h>12(q-1)$, that
$10 h>12(q-1)$, that  $h>0$ and let
$h>0$ and let  $\overline {\mathcal {E}\ell \ell }$ denote the stack of generalized elliptic curves. (1) The moduli stack
$\overline {\mathcal {E}\ell \ell }$ denote the stack of generalized elliptic curves. (1) The moduli stack  $\mathcal {JE}$ of such surfaces is smooth at the point
$\mathcal {JE}$ of such surfaces is smooth at the point  $X$ and its tangent space
$X$ and its tangent space  $T$ there is naturally a direct sum of lines
$T$ there is naturally a direct sum of lines  $(v_a)_{a\in Z}$, where
$(v_a)_{a\in Z}$, where  $Z\subset C$ is the ramification locus of the classifying morphism
$Z\subset C$ is the ramification locus of the classifying morphism  $\phi :C\to \overline {\mathcal {E}\ell \ell }$ that corresponds to
$\phi :C\to \overline {\mathcal {E}\ell \ell }$ that corresponds to  $X\to C$. (2) For each
$X\to C$. (2) For each  $a\in Z$ the map
$a\in Z$ the map  $\overline {\nabla }_{v_a}:H^{2,0}(X)\to H^{1,1}_{\rm prim}(X)$ defined by the derivative
$\overline {\nabla }_{v_a}:H^{2,0}(X)\to H^{1,1}_{\rm prim}(X)$ defined by the derivative  $per_*$ of the period map
$per_*$ of the period map  $per$ is of rank one. Its image is a line
$per$ is of rank one. Its image is a line  ${\mathbb {C}}[\eta _a]$ and its kernel is
${\mathbb {C}}[\eta _a]$ and its kernel is  $H^0(X,\Omega ^2_X(-E_a))$, where
$H^0(X,\Omega ^2_X(-E_a))$, where  $E_a=f^{-1}(a)$. (3) The classes
$E_a=f^{-1}(a)$. (3) The classes  $[\eta _a]$ form an orthogonal basis of
$[\eta _a]$ form an orthogonal basis of  $H^{1,1}_{\rm prim}(X)$ and
$H^{1,1}_{\rm prim}(X)$ and  $[\eta _a]$ is represented by a meromorphic
$[\eta _a]$ is represented by a meromorphic  $2$-form
$2$-form  $\eta _a$ in
$\eta _a$ in  $H^0(X,\Omega ^2_X(2E_a))$ of the second kind. (4) We prove a local Schottky theorem; that is, we give a description of
$H^0(X,\Omega ^2_X(2E_a))$ of the second kind. (4) We prove a local Schottky theorem; that is, we give a description of  $per_*$ in terms of a certain additional structure on the vector bundles that are involved. Assume further that
$per_*$ in terms of a certain additional structure on the vector bundles that are involved. Assume further that  $8h>10(q-1)$ and that
$8h>10(q-1)$ and that  $h\ge q+3$. (5) Given the period point
$h\ge q+3$. (5) Given the period point  $per(X)$ of
$per(X)$ of  $X$ that classifies the Hodge structure on the primitive cohomology
$X$ that classifies the Hodge structure on the primitive cohomology  $H^2_{\rm prim}(X)$ and the image of
$H^2_{\rm prim}(X)$ and the image of  $T$ under
$T$ under  $per_*$ we recover
$per_*$ we recover  $Z$ as a subset of
$Z$ as a subset of  ${\mathbb {P}}^{h-1}$ and then, by quadratic interpolation, the curve
${\mathbb {P}}^{h-1}$ and then, by quadratic interpolation, the curve  $C$. (6) We prove a generic Torelli theorem for these surfaces. Everything relies on the construction, via certain kinds of Schiffer variations of curves, of certain variations of
$C$. (6) We prove a generic Torelli theorem for these surfaces. Everything relies on the construction, via certain kinds of Schiffer variations of curves, of certain variations of  $X$ for which
$X$ for which  $per_*$ can be calculated. (In an earlier version of this paper we used variations constructed by Fay. However, Schiffer variations are slightly more powerful.)
$per_*$ can be calculated. (In an earlier version of this paper we used variations constructed by Fay. However, Schiffer variations are slightly more powerful.)