As genealogists, we’re always lucky when we find the family historians who came before us. My mom’s first cousin Dub West and his wife Christine were able to collect some West and Hester family photos. Unfortunately, many of those photos were unlabeled and nobody living knew who they were. That’s where we come in! Can … Read more
Part of my genealogy education has been writing proof arguments. I was able to determine my brick wall ancestor George W. West’s birthdate using a really cool document known informally as “The Joe Brown Census” and some intense documentary research. Here’s what I came up with. Proving George W. West’s Birthdate Question: What was the … Read more
That time I became the only genealogist in all the history of all the world to screw up a death date. Oops!
Well this is exciting! The thing about being a genealogist/historian is that there is no way you’re never going to be able to know everything about every location, every time period, or every research methodology. All you can do is attempt to keep educating yourself. And if you stick at it, you can reap wonderful … Read more
When I’m not researching history and genealogy, I’m pursuing a career in TV writing. But it doesn’t take a TV writer to tell you that this week’s episode of SUCCESSION was a banger. (Don’t watch SUCCESSION? First of all, do that! Second of all, bear with me.) The main character and monster presiding over the … Read more
I’ve transcribed another letter from Edith West Harris to her brother Paschal West and his wife Rebecca Westray West here. At the time, Edith had been abandoned by her husband, Zachariah T Harris and was living “at home” with her parents, Georgie and Jennet West. Paschal and Rebecca were living in Yell County, Arkansas after … Read more
Can you help me identify these Cherokee County, GA photos?
I’m thrilled to finally be able to transcribe and publish another one of the letters from the late 1800’s my cousin Ron West sent to me. These letters are from my West ancestors and are true treasures! The other two I’ve already transcribed can be found here: A Letter from Jennet Cowen West, 1888 A … Read more
Yesterday I inadvertently had a War Movie Day. I happened to be at my mom’s while she watched Monuments Men, and then I went with my dad to see the new Brad Pitt WWII tank movie, Fury. Strangely enough, I had just hours earlier been perusing the Compiled Civil War Service Records for my 3rd … Read more
Early on in the year, genealogist Amy Crow of No Story Too Small challenged all blogging genealogists to write about one ancestor per week for 52 weeks. This is my first entry in the 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge. I think it’s fitting that the first ancestor I blog about in the 52 Ancestors … Read more