By Eilene Lyon I come from a line of college-educated women, going back to my great-grandmother, Clara Ransom Davis, who was a graduate in the third class of the University of Idaho (UI, Moscow) in 1898. She ensured her niece, nephew, and two daughters all went to the University. Niece Clara Hockett, and daughters June... Continue Reading →
Studio De Luxe
By Eilene Lyon Found Photo Project #11 As happened with young Dorothy Beaty, this found photo project revealed that the person behind the camera had the most fascinating story of all. That’s not to say the subjects in front of the camera are not worthy of their own spot in the limelight. The Smith Siblings... Continue Reading →
Around the Sun Again
By Eilene Lyon Today I celebrate another trip around the sun. I thought it might be a good time to reflect on my arrival on this Earthly Plane, oh-so-long ago. First a little background. My father was in ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Corps) in college. He married my mother after their junior year, and upon... Continue Reading →
Bio Bite: Alvin Treslin Halse
By Eilene Lyon Alvin Treslin Halse (1915–2007) Grandpa Everett and his youngest brother, Alvin, were the “runts” of the Halse family. Despite his stature, Al played basketball for the Florence, S.D., high school. Older siblings Inez and Lloyd were like second parents to him. In the late 30s and 1940s he worked in a Corvallis,... Continue Reading →
Ill-Fated Haiti
Found Photo Project #10 By Eilene Lyon This photo is another case of “How on earth did this wind up in southwestern Colorado?” The young man pictured was born in Maine, and educated at Phillips Exeter Academy and Harvard. Eugene Usher Mitchell was the tenth of eleven children born to Maine farmer Charles Mitchell and... Continue Reading →
Family History Blogging Tips
For aspiring (and current) family history writers... Originally published May 13, 2018. EL By Eilene Lyon Some family history writers use their blog as a place to keep in-depth birth-to-death reports on their ancestors, primarily for their own use and for close relatives. This is not for them. If, on the other hand, you are... Continue Reading →
Stella Braves The Storm
This post about one of my great-grandmothers (who I never met) was popular. Originally published April 18, 2018. EL Week 16: #52 Ancestors – Storms By Eilene Lyon Stella Gusso didn’t ordinarily let the farm dog in the house, but something didn’t feel right. The building clouds were ominous-looking. Stella’s husband and the other men... Continue Reading →
An Invitation to Heidelsheim
This piece was one of my first efforts for the 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks program by Amy Johnson Crow. I completed three full years and did a smattering for a fourth year. Now I'm just randomly doing my family history posts among other topic. Originally published January 27, 2018. EL Week 4: #52Ancestors -... Continue Reading →
No True History
I still feel the sentiments expressed here. I often wonder just how far off I am when I write about people from earlier centuries, people I never knew. Originally published January 15, 2018. EL By Eilene Lyon We recently watched The Abolitionists, by American Experience. It is an excellent and high-production-value 3-part series about the... Continue Reading →