Exploring the Past to Improve the Future
Week 18: #52 Ancestors – Road Trip By Eilene Lyon Usually my genealogy road trips involve visiting at least one cousin – sometimes meeting them for the first time. My recent trip to California was no exception. It gave me the opportunity to meet my 5th cousin, Julie. What? A 5th cousin? That’s pretty distant,... Continue Reading →
Week 17: #52 Ancestors – At Worship By Eilene Lyon I have photographs of all my 2nd great-grandparents except one – Robert Ransom – a serious disappointment. He looms large in my family history. I did meet him once, in a dream. A figment of my imagination, of course. He had the stern countenance I... Continue Reading →
Week 16: #52 Ancestors - Out of Place By Eilene Lyon The Iowa Delegation Samuel Drake, Jr. clearly saw land as the key to achieving the American dream. The patents he purchased in Highland Township, Winneshiek County, totaled 320 acres.1 The rolling, forested terrain had likely never been cultivated. The government had forced the Native... Continue Reading →
By Eilene Lyon If you've read my previous posts about Clifford Cutting (A Postal Crime and Postal Crime Postscript), you might be interested in the following article. I'm deeply indebted to my cousin, Nancy, who is like a dog with a bone. She obtained a record from the funeral home. She also contacted librarians, getting... Continue Reading →
Week 15: #52 Ancestors – DNA By Eilene Lyon Well into my second year of doing Amy Johnson Crow’s 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks prompts, I’ve struck on one that really has me stymied. The “DNA” prompt just doesn’t bring any particular ancestor or relative to mind. Should I write about medical issues? Perhaps the... Continue Reading →
Week 14: #52 Ancestors – Brick Wall By Eilene Lyon The Drakes in Ireland Samuel Drake, Sr. and Eliza J. were born in Northern Ireland around 1790. Though I have not found a record giving Eliza’s maiden name, Sorby turns up as a middle name repeatedly with her children and grandchildren, making this the prime... Continue Reading →
Week 14: #52 Ancestors – Brick Wall By Eilene Lyon Background For this project, I decided to write about my 4th great-grandparents, Samuel and Eliza Drake of Killyleagh, County Down, Northern Ireland. It turned mammoth, so I’ve split it into three parts. I long ago determined that these are the parents of Eliza Jane Halse... Continue Reading →
By Eilene Lyon A couple weeks ago I shared the criminal case against Clifford G. Cutting, postal carrier. My inquiry to the National Archives (NARA) in Seattle and procurement of a death certificate are completed. You may be interested in what I’ve found – though I’m afraid it’s not what I’d hoped for. NARA did... Continue Reading →
Week 13: #52 Ancestors – In the Paper By Eilene Lyon You know I don't shy away from even the most salacious aspects of my ancestors' lives. Let's face it, not all people in the past were admirable characters - and some of them left descendants. Someday, I swear, I'm going to find a Nobel... Continue Reading →
Sharing stories from my family history
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The less traveled paths
Stories from my family history research.
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A blog devoted to genealogical wanderings - dedicated to family near and far, through distance and time
My Family Stories
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Climbing the branches of my family tree + the occasional post about old Hollywood
a nurses' perspective on the need for reform of our current healthcare system
Sits down with The Two Doctors and .....
Exploring family histories & mysteries
Digging through the stacks to find my family's history
A blog about genealogy and family histories
You'll be as happy as you make up your mind to be
A tour of Public Lands & National Parks with T
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