By Eilene Lyon Veteran’s Day 2025 The two youngest sons in the Henry Zane Jenkins and Abigail G. Bedford family served in—and survived—the US Civil War. Their home state of Indiana held vast numbers of Southern sympathizers, immigrants from Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, and the Carolinas. It was often called “the Dixie of the North.” But... Continue Reading →
Drafted and Disabled
By Eilene Lyon Last month I shared some background on my Arbogast ancestors who migrated to Ohio from Alsace, France. Of the Arbogast children who traveled with their parents to America, my 3rd great-grandfather was John C. Arbogast Jr. He was 12 when he landed in Tuscarawas County in 1840. He still lived with his... Continue Reading →
Frémont’s Missouri Misstep
By Eilene Lyon August 30, 2022 On this date in 1861, Major General John C. Frémont, commander of the Department of the West, issued a proclamation declaring martial law in the State of Missouri, and that those in open rebellion against the Union would forfeit their personal property, including enslaved persons, who would be emancipated.... Continue Reading →
Sacramento Sights
By Eilene Lyon I recently spent a week in Sacramento at the National Genealogical Society conference, where I gave a well-received presentation, “Immortal Words: Keep your family history alive with a lively blog.” This was my second visit to the city in recent years, but on this occasion I had a little more time for... Continue Reading →
The Carey Album
Week 40: #52 Ancestors – Preservation By Eilene Lyon A blessing of this blog is that cousins find stories here about their ancestors and reach out to me. Suzanne is one, and we have enjoyed a couple visits here in Durango. Recently she brought her Carey family photo album for me to scan and hopefully... Continue Reading →
Honoring Their Service
By Eilene Lyon Today I am just going to share photos of a few veterans from my family tree. I've written about the service of some; others remain to be done. Feature image: Poppies from my garden this summer. (E. Lyon 2021)
No Mountain Too High
Hulda Hearn Shanks (1832-1885) By Eilene Lyon “She holds that true companionship between man and woman necessitates the possession and the exercise by both of equal rights, privileges and franchises, believing, as she does, that in nothing else is the civilization of any people apparent as in the closer and ever closer approximation of woman’s... Continue Reading →
Cold Harbor Comrades
Week 41: #52 Ancestors – Newest By Eilene Lyon “Cousin Orin Rhodes was shot through the head the first battle he ever was in. George Rhodes is in hospital. No more news this time.” – George L. Carey, June 26, 1864 My newest cousin contact, thanks to this blog, sent me on a research quest... 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 →