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 →
WWI Draft by Design
Black History Month By Eilene Lyon Genealogists and historians rely on many different record sets in their research. Often, we focus on the variable information on a form, items that identify our ancestors and relatives: name, birth date, address, occupation, physical description. It’s also important to learn about the record source itself. The World War... Continue Reading →
Fort Wayne Stenographer
Found Photo Project #3 By Eilene Lyon I purchased this unusual image from the local antiques store in 2019. It does not have any personal identification on it, but based on a number of clues, I do believe I have identified the subject. Hopefully the photograph will be on its way to a family member... Continue Reading →
Grandpa and the Aviator
Week 3: #52 Ancestors – Favorite Photo By Eilene Lyon This hand-tinted family photograph has been hanging on my wall for years, but I had never researched it. The man on the left is my great-great-grandfather, Thomas A. Reams (1833–1922). My grandfather, Laurence M. Smith, said that his Grandpa Reams had the opportunity to fly... 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)
Angling for Conservation
Week 25: #52 Ancestors – Groups By Eilene Lyon You could say that The Putterer’s great-uncle, Aubrey Ralph Lyon, was more than a joiner. He served as group leader and even activist. He was the third of five children, born in 1892, to Arlon F. and Emma (Pierson) Lyon in La Moille, Illinois.1 When he... Continue Reading →
The Musician
By Eilene Lyon A Photo Restored and Colorized Recently Val Erde made a wonderful offer to do free digital colorization for eight people who use vintage photographs in their blogs. I quickly volunteered, and was so lucky she selected one of my images. I first posted this photo of the Gusso brothers last July in... Continue Reading →