The Pines

By Eilene Lyon It’s that time of year when new and returning students head to college campuses: moving into dorms, apartments, sorority and fraternity houses. In honor of my niece moving into the dorm for her freshman year this week, I’m going to share a different living arrangement that my mom had in her college... Continue Reading →

Too Early for OSHA

By Eilene Lyon Though my great-grandmother, Clara Ransom Davis (1877-1953), passed down a lot of family history, she made a glaring omission: her own birth family. She wrote a brief story about her father, Robert Ransom, who died when she was six. But she left no tales about her mother or siblings. Everything I know... Continue Reading →

Where He Wound Up

By Eilene Lyon My 3rd great-grandmother, Abigail “Abby” (Bedford) Jenkins (1801–1882) had seven surviving siblings and one who died as an infant. I’ve written about several of them, as well as about her father. I’m still searching for her maternal family line (Thompson). Researching the Bedfords is somewhat complicated by the fact that they lived... Continue Reading →

From the Vault: Embroidery

By Eilene Lyon Maybe this has happened to you: You have a memory associated with something that’s been in your family many years, and you’re sure you recall the story behind it. But then, you doubt your recollection. That’s how I feel about this stunning piece of embroidery. I brought it home with me when... Continue Reading →

RIP: Clara J. Bedford

Last summer I published a post about Clara's post-Civil War trip to Philadelphia, based on a letter she wrote to her aunt, Abigail (Bedford) Jenkins, in May 1865. What I did not relate to you at the time was that Clara had a rather brief life. Clara was born in 1845 in Springboro, Ohio, where... Continue Reading →

Farm Boy to Businessman

In all my years of family history blogging, I see I have somewhat neglected my maternal great-grandfather. This is the story of his life from 1867 to 1917, as told by my grandfather. By Laurence M. Smith, edited by Eilene Lyon Charles Edward Smith was my father, as well as the father of four other... Continue Reading →

Connecting with Cousins

Week 32: #52Ancestors – Reunion By Eilene Lyon Because I was an “Army brat” we rarely gathered with family over the years. We had an occasional Thanksgiving or Christmas at Grandma Halse’s place in Corvallis, which included aunts, uncles, and cousins on my dad’s side. I met more relatives on Dad’s side when Grandma celebrated... Continue Reading →

Clara’s Post-War Trip

Week 24: #52 Ancestors – Last One Standing By Eilene Lyon Clara Bedford wrote a letter to her aunt, Abby (Bedford) Jenkins, on May 14, 1865 from Springboro, Ohio. Clara Jane Bedford is my 1st cousin 4x removed. She was one of two children, both daughters, of William S. Bedford and Elizabeth Dearth. Clara’s letter... Continue Reading →

Cakes on Fire!

Week 13: #52Ancestors – Light a Candle By Eilene Lyon Both my parents turn 87 this year. I have no way of knowing if they will make it to 90 or not (we do hope so!), but there is some precedent for achieving that milestone or more in my family tree. This is just a... Continue Reading →

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