I began this blog years and years ago, in large part because of a smile. Or rather the loss of my dad's smile. Sifting through his letters, photographs, and public documents was a constructive way to move through grief, and the resulting stories led to many discussions among family members, known and newly discovered. Norman … Continue reading The Truck on the Bus
Random Thoughts
Examining the Language of Slavery
During the mid-nineteenth century North Carolina was the global supplier of naval stores. The "Turpentine State" lay in the long-leaf pine belt--a region of dry sandy clay subsoil that ran from North Carolina, south to Florida, and as far west as southern Alabama and Mississippi. The sap of turpentine orchards was harvested and distilled into … Continue reading Examining the Language of Slavery
Keeper of Family Lore or Family Historian?
I listened to a fascinating CAFE live conversation between historians Heather Cox Richardson and Joanne Freeman the other day. At minute 8 or so they begin to discuss the difference between journalists and historians. Journalists, they point out, follow the story; they look for facts and find sources to deliver the story. Historians look for … Continue reading Keeper of Family Lore or Family Historian?
Diagram Your Family Tree with Gutenberg Block
I played around with this Gutenberg Block editor in hopes of sharing genealogy basics in a more visually appealing, less overwhelming format. 'Cause, let's face it, when you're trying to engage with kin that lie somewhere out there beneath your family tree's shade, the typical checklists of names and dates of birth, death, marriage, and … Continue reading Diagram Your Family Tree with Gutenberg Block
On Horizons
CW: Suicide attempt I think of my 19th century ancestors' lives as bound by the geography of their landscapes. What they observed out their front doors and across the lane framed their beliefs, thinking, their sense of opportunity. The assembly of characters in their lives were tied by blood or marriage or business. Their movements … Continue reading On Horizons
Shoots, Roots, and Leaves 