By Eilene Lyon On a recent camping trip, I took the opportunity to discover portions of Colorado’s newest scenic byway (which continues into New Mexico). Called “Tracks Across Borders,” this byway follows the historic route of the narrow-gauge Denver & Rio Grande Railroad between Chama and Durango. (I’m one of those people annoyed when state... Continue Reading →
Watch Tower Wreck
Week 28: #52 Ancestors – Transportation By Eilene Lyon I just discovered that The Putterer and I both have an ancestor who died in a similar gruesome fashion: having legs severed by a railcar. Adding to the coincidence, both of these ancestors were German immigrants and their birth names were Carl. I’ve previously told the... Continue Reading →
No Mountain Too High
Hulda Hearn Shanks (1832-1885) By Eilene Lyon “She holds that true companionship between man and woman necessitates the possession and the exercise by both of equal rights, privileges and franchises, believing, as she does, that in nothing else is the civilization of any people apparent as in the closer and ever closer approximation of woman’s... Continue Reading →
San Juan Sagas
Found Photo Project #2 By Eilene Lyon Photo Find I enjoy finding 19th century photographs in the local antique store that have some identifying marks. This photograph of 6-year-old Henry Lloyd Wilson caught my eye, despite the defacing scratches. It has so much information: his age, the date the photo was taken and where, and... Continue Reading →
Where’s George?
Week 21: #52 Ancestors – At the Cemetery By Eilene Lyon Many of my farming ancestors led stable, quiet lives that can be hard to document. But some relatives had a flamboyant existence. One of these was my 2nd great-granduncle, George Albert Cutting, brother of my ancestor Arthur N. Cutting. George’s travels spanned the continent,... Continue Reading →
The Dynasty
Week 14: #52 Ancestors – Great By Eilene Lyon “The record of the Rockefellers in America is that of a vital, dynamic, active race, possessed of resourcefulness, shrewdness in business affairs, and executive ability. In some lines, too, they have been known for their imagination, love of beauty, and literary talents.” – Media Research Bureau... Continue Reading →
The Mocks of Sonoma County
Week 9: #52 Ancestors – Multiples By Eilene Lyon “Mr. Weston – It seems to be concluded that late keeping apples are a desideratum for California cultivation, our long dry seasons prematurely ripening the varieties usually keeping well in northern latitudes. I have late keeping varieties, acclimated to southern latitudes…which you will please test as... Continue Reading →
The Overseer
Week 2: #52 Ancestors – Family Legend By Eilene Lyon My grandmother, Clare (Davis) Smith, left this typewritten note regarding her paternal ancestors. I want to learn more about the first one, but I’m going to address them all, beginning at the bottom. (Typos have been corrected.)“The Davis family moved from Missouri to Texas Ridge,... Continue Reading →
A Hepler Connection
Week 10: #52 Ancestors – Name’s the Same By Eilene Lyon The older I get, the less enamored I am with celebrity culture. The names I know mostly date to the last century; about today’s stars I'm clueless. But, I'm still amused when I discover famous cousins. For example, Bette Midler is supposedly a 10th... Continue Reading →