For aspiring (and current) family history writers... Originally published May 13, 2018. EL By Eilene Lyon Some family history writers use their blog as a place to keep in-depth birth-to-death reports on their ancestors, primarily for their own use and for close relatives. This is not for them. If, on the other hand, you are... Continue Reading →
Stella Braves The Storm
This post about one of my great-grandmothers (who I never met) was popular. Originally published April 18, 2018. EL Week 16: #52 Ancestors – Storms By Eilene Lyon Stella Gusso didn’t ordinarily let the farm dog in the house, but something didn’t feel right. The building clouds were ominous-looking. Stella’s husband and the other men... Continue Reading →
No True History
I still feel the sentiments expressed here. I often wonder just how far off I am when I write about people from earlier centuries, people I never knew. Originally published January 15, 2018. EL By Eilene Lyon We recently watched The Abolitionists, by American Experience. It is an excellent and high-production-value 3-part series about the... Continue Reading →
Tents and Trailers
Week 8: #52Ancestors – I Can Identify By Eilene Lyon With the weather sort-of thinking along the lines of spring, I’m anticipating some camping trips around the state. It seems I’ve been a camper my entire life. My parents took us camping throughout the eastern states and in Oregon while I was growing up. For... Continue Reading →
Bio Bite: Howard Adrian Halse
By Eilene Lyon Howard Adrian Halse (1897–1978) Howard was the first-born child of Guy and Mabel (Cutting) Halse. He came into, and left, the world in Dexter Township, Codington County, South Dakota. He inherited his size from Guy, standing nearly six feet and topping 200 pounds. “Mr. Halse attended country school near his home and... Continue Reading →
Only The Good…
Week 9: #52Ancestors – Gone Too Soon By Eilene Lyon There’s no shortage of sad tales about infant/toddler deaths in any family tree. I’m more drawn to the tales of young people who had time to develop their personalities, who had an excellent chance at surviving to adulthood (or did), or of having long lives.... Continue Reading →
Bio Bite: Loren Oscar Smith
By Eilene Lyon Loren Oscar Smith (1911–1974) “Loren was only six when his mother died.… I was often admonished during those years that I should look after my younger brother.… I don’t think at that age I could have accepted all that responsibility. In any event Loren ended up something of a juvenile delinquent.” While... Continue Reading →
Bio Bite: Clifford Loyd Smith
By Eilene Lyon Clifford Loyd Smith (1901–1977) Clifford was born in Cunningham, Washington. He was 17 when his mother died. He probably bounced among his married siblings, not staying long enough to be enumerated in the 1920 census. He had an 8th-grade education and a career as a lineman for the phone company. In 1924,... Continue Reading →
Bio Bite: Leon Leslie Smith
By Eilene Lyon Leon Leslie “Bill” Smith (1898–1985) Leon “Bill” Smith was born in Sprague, Washington, where his maternal grandparents lived. He attended school to the 8th grade. His interests lay in hunting, fishing, and motorized vehicles. Bill drove a truck for his father’s delivery business and a gravel truck for road construction projects. Around... Continue Reading →