Famous Names?

By Eilene Lyon A post by InNate James discussed his possible family connection to the notorious outlaw, Jesse James. He mentioned that the James family tried to disassociate themselves from him. That was not a universal response to his deeds, though. My family tree sports one “Jesse James Brooks,” for example.1 He was born in... Continue Reading →

May 15, 2018 5

Pay Your Taxes!

Week 15: #52Ancestors - Taxes By Eilene Lyon The moral of this story is written in the title – pay your taxes, or there will be consequences. In this case, I am referring to property taxes, and what could happen if you don’t pay them. One of the more intriguing (and mysterious) people in my... Continue Reading →

April 14, 2018 1

History of the Theory of Evolution

By Eilene Lyon This is the follow-up article to Science and Belief. Darwin’s Observations on the Natural World Charles Darwin formulated his hypothesis of evolution by natural selection based on observations he made during his trip around the world on the Beagle in the 1830s. Some of those observations: Island groups had wildlife differing from... Continue Reading →

April 4, 2018 3

We Are Not Powerless

Repealing The 2nd Amendment is Possible By Eilene Lyon Here’s a pop quiz for my American readers: In which decade was the last amendment added to the Constitution? No cheating! A. 1930s B. 1950s C. 1970s D. 1990s Some might say that the 27th amendment is inconsequential, and the fact it took more than 200... Continue Reading →

February 26, 2018 0

No True History

By Eilene Lyon We recently watched The Abolitionists, by American Experience. It is an excellent and high-production-value 3-part series about the role played by the anti-slavery movement in the lead-up to the Civil War. One thing that struck me was the portrayal of Abraham Lincoln in the film. I’ve read books and articles on Lincoln,... Continue Reading →

Disputing the “Facts”

Week 1: #52Ancestors - Start By Eilene Lyon My favorite pair of jeans is getting so threadbare on the thighs and knees that holes are starting to appear. It almost certainly is not an attractive garment, so why do I keep wearing it? Because they are super comfortable. What does this have to do with... Continue Reading →

January 4, 2018 2