Nancy Teater White survived her husband, Samuel S. White, by two and a half years. This generous soul could well have spent her widow years with the sons who lived in Independence and neighboring Whitesville. But she died in Alfred, a nearby town and home to Alfred University. Her daughter, Serena White Sayles, lived … Continue reading Sunday’s Obituary: Nancy Teater White
New York
Matrilineal Monday: Whites of Whitesville, New York
This is my brain on genealogy. While transcribing a letter dated July 24, 1869, a couple of its sentences looped relentlessly through my head, like a snippet of a catchy tune. My great-great-grandfather complained to his brother, James : My year's expenses devoured my year's salary (as principal of Rushford Academy), and left me as poor today as … Continue reading Matrilineal Monday: Whites of Whitesville, New York
Follow Friday: Historic Map Works
One of the all-time best inventions of the human mind, in my humble opinion, is the map. Whether ink to paper or pixels to screen, maps represent reality as seen from the cartographer's point of view. Beyond the accurate recording of topography and societal infrastructure, map makers convey all sorts of information, depending on who … Continue reading Follow Friday: Historic Map Works
Amanuensis Monday: A Letter From Ira
I owe a huge debt of gratitude to a blog-reading cousin, Sharon B., who contacted me after perusing this site. After a flurry of excited email, I received a packet of letters written from MY great-great-grandfather to HER great-great-grandfather. Today I transcribe the first of these brotherly exchanges. Thank you, thank you, Sharon! From Rushford, … Continue reading Amanuensis Monday: A Letter From Ira
Shoots, Roots, and Leaves 