I enjoy researching family oral history and finding records to validate the story. But, sometimes the records reveal there is much more to the story. One such story involves some stormy weather and my great-great-grandfather, William Rumple, who served in the 123rd Ohio Volunteer Infantry during the American Civil War. The story told is he laid in the mud for two days during a battle and became chronically ill as a result.
Read the Full Post, Stormy Weather – Family Finds
Since regular voting is typical among members of my immediate family, I have imagined most my ancestors being regular voters, too. However, there are rarely historical records of a person voting or being registered to vote that could provide proof. I have previously written about discovering news reports of my great-grandfather going to the polls to vote. [1] But, recently my mother provided a story about my great-grandmother voting for her first time in 1920. I found the story amusing, but I doubt if her experience was unique.
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Some unexpected family history was uncovered while I was researching one of my genealogy brick walls. And, at first, it came as a bit of a shock. Now, though, I am not certain I have all the information to form the correct conclusion. The shock, or at least surprise, indirectly involves the brick wall I was researching. The surname of my brick wall, McBride, led to finding this unexpected bit of family history. The person at the center of the revelation had the surname Shock, so, you see, it aligns well with this week’s prompt.
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When I look at old photos I sometimes wonder about the fashion choices of the subject. Were they wearing a favorite outfit? Does their clothing reflect the fashion of the era? Or, are they simply making a personal fashion statement? When photographs were nearly exclusively for special occasions, the clothing choices reflected economic status, social standing, era, heritage, or profession. Whatever the case, many of my favorite old family photos show the subject in clothing I think is charming, humorous, or unique.
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Family Finds 