Living to Tell the Tale

Dead men tell no tales, but when those left behind do—a fellow family historian reminds us—their stories often reveal more than any records. This week I read a very moving piece by a fellow family history researcher. I have enjoyed many of Paul Chiddicks’ posts on Substack. He is also a columnist for Family Tree… Continue reading Living to Tell the Tale

Walking a Mile in My Ancestors’ Combat Boots

Genealogy and a family trip have made the sacrifices of members of the military and their families more real for me. I was tasked from the prompt at the end of this essay to write about how finding out something about an ancestor had changed how I view that ancestor. I’m deviating from the script… Continue reading Walking a Mile in My Ancestors’ Combat Boots

Mystic Sweet Communion

E unum pluribus. Out of one organized religion, many ancestors have I found. I've written many different essays on my maternal ancestors' Scots-Irish heritage and, in particular, their Scottish Covenanter beliefs and religious practices. Here are just a few of the topics related to my ancestors' involvement in the Covenanter/Reformed Presbyterian communities in which they… Continue reading Mystic Sweet Communion