By Eilene Lyon – May 5, 2020 “Necessity is the mother of invention” – a proverb Why “mother” and not father? I suspect women frequently find themselves in need of a solution to a problem. We tend to be multi-taskers by tradition and that means shortcuts and mechanical aids come in real handy. Plus, we’re... Continue Reading →
Biking Dalmatia
By Eilene Lyon After spending two relaxing days in the old city of Dubrovnik, we took a cab on Sunday afternoon to the harbor at nearby Gruž to board our home for the coming week, the Harmonia. The ship is family built/owned and under contract to the German company, Inselhüpfen (Island Hopping). Though many Harmonia... Continue Reading →
Christina’s Challenges
Week 10: #52 Ancestors – Strong Woman By Eilene Lyon As I research my family history, it amazes me what trials and tribulations my ancestors went through. It’s a rare female in my tree I would not describe as a “strong woman.” These women were tough as a rule. (Just the clothes they had to... Continue Reading →
The Hoteliers – Part 2
Week 9: #52 Ancestors – Disaster By Eilene Lyon Part 1 Kansas By June of 1888, E.G. Millikan returned to Independence from Ft. Smith, Arkansas, to attend to some real estate business. May (Stahl) Millikan returned in September, undoubtedly missing all her friends and extended family. Even May’s parents were contemplating another move, perhaps to... Continue Reading →
The Hoteliers – Part 1
Week 8:#52 Ancestors – Prosperity By Eilene Lyon Citing health issues, Dr. Moses S. Stahl packed up his family and left Blackford County, Indiana, for Coleman County, Texas. With him were his wife, Mary Agnes (Ransom) and their two daughters, Florence (13) and May (11). Two of Mary A. Stahl’s brothers, Robert and William Ransom,... Continue Reading →
Did He Serve?
Week 6: #52 Ancestors – Same Name By Eilene Lyon When I put together the list of ten men who formed the Blackford Mining Company in 1851, two names made me groan: John K. Anderson and Samuel Jones. At least Anderson had a middle initial. But Samuel Jones, no middle initial? Argh!! How many men... Continue Reading →
The Asian Affair
Week 5: #52 Ancestors – So Far Away By Eilene Lyon According to Google, it is 9,079 miles [14,611 km] from Richmond, Virginia, to Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City), Vietnam. That’s how far my dad was from home in 1966. The Second Indochina War, what we call the Vietnam War in the U.S., began in... Continue Reading →
Koch’s Disease
By Eilene Lyon -- March 24, 2020 It felled Egyptian Pharaohs and Greek warriors. It’s likely been around for 9,000 years or more. An estimate is that one in seven people who ever lived prior to 1800 succumbed to the disease, caused by a bacterium. Is this one of those plagues that have been eradicated... Continue Reading →
Old York Road
Week 3: #52 Ancestors – Long Line By Eilene Lyon Two branches with the surname Jenkins converge on my tree at my 4th great-grandmother, Ann Widdifield Zane. She married David Jenkins, presumed from Wales, but not a Quaker like Ann. Next to nothing is known of his life or family, so this is a rather... Continue Reading →