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 →
Going for the Gold
Winter Olympics History By Eilene Lyon I was so inspired by the American women’s relay in cross-country skiing. The first gold medal EVER for the U.S. in cross-country skiing in Olympic history. Go Team USA! The winter games began in 1924, so that’s nearly a century-long drought – it seems only the Chicago Cubs have... Continue Reading →
Fonts of Knowledge: County Courthouses
By Eilene Lyon Genealogists and county courthouses go together like wine and cheese (you can see how I like to dine). We are a pair. As the Family History Library continues to digitize its microfilm collection and put it online, you might think that the era of visiting courthouses is coming to an end. Not... Continue Reading →
Putting History in its Place – A Rant
By Eilene Lyon The premise of this blog is learning from the past, so why would I rant about history? Because I see occasions when history is not put in its proper place as a way to improve the present and future. When we target our outrage toward past abuses, events that can’t be changed... Continue Reading →
Less Than Proud
The Davis Family of North Carolina By Eilene Lyon Sometimes we need to acknowledge the deeds of our forefathers that we are less than proud of - in this case, slave-holding. My grandmother was born Clare Ransom Davis. Her father was Sterling Price Davis. His father was Melville Cox Davis, son of Hamilton Cunningham Davis... Continue Reading →
What’s in a Name: William Savery Bedford (1804 – 1888)
Week 6: #52Ancestors - Favorite Name By Eilene Lyon The namesake of my 3rd great-granduncle was a Quaker minister in Philadelphia, William Savery, who died in 1804, the same year William Savery Bedford was born. I only recently learned that William’s middle initial stood for “Savery” while examining Philadelphia Quaker records. Though William’s parents, Thomas... Continue Reading →
Would These Parks Exist Without the Antiquities Act?
By Eilene Lyon You may have surmised by now that I love the desert. Whether I’m counting cacti or tagging tortoises - or just taking a walk through the wilderness - the sunlight, landforms, and wildlife captivate me. Some of the most stunning American desert landscapes are now protected as National Parks and National Monuments.... Continue Reading →
“Can You Read Me Now?”
By Eilene Lyon Reading handwritten documents is a critical part of genealogical and historical research. The debate about teaching children to write cursive is ongoing. The question for me is, “Can you read cursive writing without learning how to do it yourself?” I believe the answer is “Yes.” I quit writing cursive as soon as... Continue Reading →
National Parks 2013 – 2017 – Part 3
By Eilene Lyon It’s been a couple weeks since my last post about National Parks and other public lands. As I mentioned before, I highly encourage you to learn more about the history of these places and the threats they face by clicking on the links below. Let’s start with Glacier National Park (feature photo... Continue Reading →