John Williamson wasn't the type to wait around and hope. On a cold winter night in 1870, he took action and helped, and he paid with his life. And had it not been for a single spelling alteration, I might never have found him at all.
Coming To America: John Reedy Edition
John Reedy paid a fortune to come to America on a ship that was eerily similar to the RMS Titanic. It was so similar, in fact, that I wondered if John Jacob Astor himself would make an appearance on the trip! Yeah...so, funny story about that...
Four Mistakes and an Obituary
I finally found the correct record for my great-grandfather, but it wasn't a discovery to celebrate. My only thought was, "I hope this is all a mistake."
Katie, who was forgotten
Katie may have remained lost to my family forever had it not been for a vacation detour, a neighbor’s kindness, and a need to know more.
The Last Road Trip
In the end, I realized that I wasn’t looking for an apology for some random argument we’d had way back when. None of that mattered.
Ten Days in April
Faced with tough choices as the Civil War raged just outside his front door, Everett Baugh persevered...and he stayed. But why? Why, indeed.
Silver Linings Deed Book
I've had a bit of extra time on my hands, thanks to my immunocompromised status and a certain pandemic that just won't end. It has been frustrating, and sad, and boring, but the silver lining is always there. This time, it appeared as a rabbit hole that led straight to where the Lilly family landed in Pennsylvania.
This Grand Old Man
With some ancestors, it's easy to find just about anything you'd want to know. Sometimes, though, that still isn't enough, and it's time to branch out to discover more.