tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78913411049607532822024-02-22T16:53:42.052-05:00Journeys PastExploring the wondrous steps of those who traversed before us....Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14700942096676683769noreply@blogger.comBlogger151125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7891341104960753282.post-19795311283791819742017-03-06T18:22:00.000-05:002017-03-06T18:22:00.211-05:00Gatlinburg: Beauty from the Ashes<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<div style="text-align: center;">
"He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted.....<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<div style="text-align: center;">
to comfort all who mourn,<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<div style="text-align: center;">
and provide for those who grieve in Zion<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<div style="text-align: center;">
to bestow on them a crown of beauty<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<div style="text-align: center;">
instead of ashes,<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<div style="text-align: center;">
the oil of joy<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<div style="text-align: center;">
instead of mourning,<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<div style="text-align: center;">
and a garment of praise<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<div style="text-align: center;">
instead of a spirit of despair.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<div style="text-align: center;">
They will be called oaks of righteousness,<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<div style="text-align: center;">
a planting of the Lord<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<div style="text-align: center;">
for the display of his splendor." Isaiah 61:1-3<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixoC7pT8RPE5r93-jp_u87LaBC8-1hvRz4Tj32nTP6Zao0diRhuidK6YasUgvqH3P0xWXh6f775p0g6jxF-YbmREjw_d443-8aROkZ9BCLaPPXEevOr9RE0IRI0a6hA-iBmdVE7Yd1w-0c/s1600/PC250305_C_F.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixoC7pT8RPE5r93-jp_u87LaBC8-1hvRz4Tj32nTP6Zao0diRhuidK6YasUgvqH3P0xWXh6f775p0g6jxF-YbmREjw_d443-8aROkZ9BCLaPPXEevOr9RE0IRI0a6hA-iBmdVE7Yd1w-0c/s400/PC250305_C_F.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
The devastating fires that engulfed Gatlinburg Tennessee,
this past November, was a tragedy beyond words. Several lives were lost, and
countless homes reduced to ashes. That night was the stuff of nightmares. Viral
videos captured the unbelievable scenes of destruction, panic, and heroism. I
was not physically there that night, but I, and many of members of my family
were awake through the wee hours of the morning, praying hard for this place we
loved so dearly. Falling asleep finally, when we realized there could be no
more word until morning light provided a report of the devastation. So many
were praying for rain that night, and thankfully, the rains came. After seeing
the destruction first hand in December, I realize now how sweet those rains had been.
If they had not come, I firmly believe all would have been lost.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiC-iFBCmJH4vLAu4oCxAJZO78J5cT25Xoe871laKQ9tODrdOCDsu-9G8G28YhQgoF0-q6GqsQQaiTRpx6aY43jCl40VkFvpV3hmS6VgdMv8E5YXGP6SbzMIJgs3aq4DbA344wrDT06FdZ/s1600/IMG_5100_c_F.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiC-iFBCmJH4vLAu4oCxAJZO78J5cT25Xoe871laKQ9tODrdOCDsu-9G8G28YhQgoF0-q6GqsQQaiTRpx6aY43jCl40VkFvpV3hmS6VgdMv8E5YXGP6SbzMIJgs3aq4DbA344wrDT06FdZ/s400/IMG_5100_c_F.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
I cannot begin to describe how precious Gatlinburg has
been to our family. For multiple generations it has been a nearby sanctuary.
Always welcoming and peaceful, helping us forget the stresses of life, as we
literally climb closer to spiritual comforts: Like a balm, renewing our mind,
body, and soul. It has been a place of happiness, discovery, and love. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJCkxOXfr2-D4CX5E_LgIolXXT-BKT9LpiDRVuD2_us_Lbh7avhmMfpihQMdIIc6H0KRfM2A0qxhBjsrz4fGT8xC0yAOcw5x54-rcm2glML850JOir69n4JXGZLsXM2DXUnRLSn0gOpCg8/s1600/PC250408_C_F.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJCkxOXfr2-D4CX5E_LgIolXXT-BKT9LpiDRVuD2_us_Lbh7avhmMfpihQMdIIc6H0KRfM2A0qxhBjsrz4fGT8xC0yAOcw5x54-rcm2glML850JOir69n4JXGZLsXM2DXUnRLSn0gOpCg8/s400/PC250408_C_F.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
I have also been acutely aware of its sense of history
and timeless existence. Its mountains echo thousands of years of nature's
cycles: Its relatively short history of man, farming nearby valleys, harvesting
nature's bounties, and passing on of ancient traditions. If you have never
stood, barefoot, in the rushing mountain stream, and just listened to the
symphony of nature around you, then you have not fully lived.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwYSiaOOWrFY3yMvRl3kUGqtF12Lz6IUQrMCrknen1NgEzt1kLEn0K4qAbocORGF0TLc-zEPOHXX2jIZXA64vkXpNpNQG4WAWNHNKNxqwY2hlgGFPWxYBn3BiZW7esGOYGJBADs1VTrqnx/s1600/IMG_0544_C.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwYSiaOOWrFY3yMvRl3kUGqtF12Lz6IUQrMCrknen1NgEzt1kLEn0K4qAbocORGF0TLc-zEPOHXX2jIZXA64vkXpNpNQG4WAWNHNKNxqwY2hlgGFPWxYBn3BiZW7esGOYGJBADs1VTrqnx/s400/IMG_0544_C.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
For the past several years, our family has been fortunate
enough to spend Christmas in Gatlinburg. Each year, a week of family joy, surrounded
by one of our most dear places on earth. During the night of destruction, our
reservations for Christmas were a mere afterthought....we just prayed that
Gatlinburg would survive to see another Christmas. Miraculously, our little
corner of town survived, and we made the trek as planned, due to the pleas of the owner and local officials. Their message? "Please come visit!"</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
There were many false reports indicating that much of the
town was gone. Don't get me wrong. The loss is tragic. There are large pockets
of town that are no longer with us....but there are very large pockets that
survived! The main strip, for example, and most along River Road, have all
survived. It was comforting to see these places still standing - beacons of
hope and strength. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFsEpcyHuZLouY18ZtYas5bOY3Zp7-JjTzU3OQxE72ZEgbqbUOMrJ5rRGNdX-4T3WcFc_Lr3NEnCkezcEFxyFK4KZy8cn2SfkHzJuGSq4MI6PXlm_q6OCz2cK2wPCHw97zvgKv__LQJJcU/s1600/PC250260_C_F.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFsEpcyHuZLouY18ZtYas5bOY3Zp7-JjTzU3OQxE72ZEgbqbUOMrJ5rRGNdX-4T3WcFc_Lr3NEnCkezcEFxyFK4KZy8cn2SfkHzJuGSq4MI6PXlm_q6OCz2cK2wPCHw97zvgKv__LQJJcU/s400/PC250260_C_F.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Our Christmas of 2016 was wonderful as always. Family and
relaxation, and a true sense of thankfulness that the rains had come that night
in November. Yet, along with the joy of Christmas, there was grief. Our family
had enjoyed a small group of cabins along the Roaring Fork stream for about a
decade. They were very much like second homes to us. We had heard reports that
they had been lost in the fire, but until we arrived to see for ourselves,
reality was still at bay.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/qGB2V1XbSCk/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qGB2V1XbSCk?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
It was heartbreaking to see the destruction. Our ritual
of walking this road along the stream, and basking in the beauty of history and
nature would never be the same. Just last June, we had celebrated my Mother's
birthday in one of these cabins. We had walked the road, taking pictures, and
breathing in the restorative, oxygen-filled air.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
One loss felt most poignantly, was a beautiful red barn,
tucked up along side of the mountain base, just across the stream. Local lore
said this was one of the first riding stables built in Gatlinburg for the use
of tourists back in the 1930s. Seasonally framed in the trees, this picture of
history will live on only in our memories, and the photos taken over the years.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiChayb4K5C-yYDlW2tnv-Ht4FtyJU0Ngvq3WOqX7njKiqQq8bNe75cvC8IAjRtH0ZLQU9IBiOKKjg3JywlzCnsut12io7tqCCLvzAnENuy3w_kKgXIVSJDI5j-BwD2DZj2ie62xRjG4e1V/s1600/P6213460_Collage_C.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiChayb4K5C-yYDlW2tnv-Ht4FtyJU0Ngvq3WOqX7njKiqQq8bNe75cvC8IAjRtH0ZLQU9IBiOKKjg3JywlzCnsut12io7tqCCLvzAnENuy3w_kKgXIVSJDI5j-BwD2DZj2ie62xRjG4e1V/s400/P6213460_Collage_C.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
The areas of destruction were sobering and heartbreaking.
They also served to remind us of the frailty of life, and the savage, unpredictability of nature. Yes, it was man that started the blaze that
destroyed so much life, but it was the winds of nature that carried embers in
strange patterns....burning some pockets, and turning abruptly in a split
second to spare a grouping just next door.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifyNl5S1MUz-_laNssmLhHTXq4MPgb1moXqib1C19zcdDAx7HEt0SE5wi7lTalic1jSXzg4E1WnA3Tn5R5X5HOKvdKwQbeZiB6eTDAeVIW2S_rlBFADK5f0ouHIoPoXYxvBrh37ZbtH_Yp/s1600/PC250193_C_F.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifyNl5S1MUz-_laNssmLhHTXq4MPgb1moXqib1C19zcdDAx7HEt0SE5wi7lTalic1jSXzg4E1WnA3Tn5R5X5HOKvdKwQbeZiB6eTDAeVIW2S_rlBFADK5f0ouHIoPoXYxvBrh37ZbtH_Yp/s400/PC250193_C_F.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Many of the areas downtown are also still here today
because of the valiant efforts of so many firemen. After seeing the videos of
folks being flanked by burning forest on either side of their escape route, the
firemen were very much in danger that night, and they deserve medals of valor,
in my opinion.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
As for the beauty rising from the ashes: I was encouraged
by other sights we witnessed. During the day, we can see the darkened earth and
scorched trees, sprinkled with ghostly chimneys standing as monuments to the
pre-fire days. But in the night, standing on the balcony of the condo rental, looking towards downtown, I could see pockets of light sprinkling the
hillsides. You could clearly see the areas that survived, and there were many
more than I expected. Sadly, there were large pockets of complete darkness, but
those surrounding clusters of light were perfect messages at Christmas. Beacons of hope,
reminding us all that Gatlinburg will survive, and flourish once again. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
In fact, there were some parcels that had already
bulldozed the rubble and had framing already in place, as the sound of construction remained steady. This was a wonderful sign of new life. As we are reminded
that beauty comes from the ashes, I can't wait to see the spring growth take over. The area will rise stronger than before, as long as we continue to support its
people. The weather is warming up, and the blossoms are unfurling their
splendor. For those of you who share this heartfelt regard for Gatlinburg, get those reservations in - it's
time to come back!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGmxLkyrely59fshOyvpbONnIld7iqODxYkFRr3FwQPpjELyiAOYRN4D1g3FUWnjn61mfk3ll8gKkxNnrvt0nPSpLm-aPRSQtVKKfz5X5l6gelXuZk0skwgiLejlqt2udMKQ90WNYGohvk/s1600/PC250201_CF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGmxLkyrely59fshOyvpbONnIld7iqODxYkFRr3FwQPpjELyiAOYRN4D1g3FUWnjn61mfk3ll8gKkxNnrvt0nPSpLm-aPRSQtVKKfz5X5l6gelXuZk0skwgiLejlqt2udMKQ90WNYGohvk/s400/PC250201_CF.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14700942096676683769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7891341104960753282.post-60502681188585770932016-12-11T19:50:00.000-05:002016-12-11T19:50:53.298-05:00Hey There, Delilah!"Hey there Delilah here's to you<br />
This one's for you"<br />
<br />
Oh, it's what you do to me...squealing and jumping up and down, and getting all misty. OK, that's not part of the song. But we've all imagined a moment of discovery that gives us chills and reveals a piece of history previously lost. I had this moment a couple of months ago....in a dusty old basement...pulling back the sheet and staring into the face of an ancestor I had never met...neither physically nor photographically. So, without further ado, I have the honor of revealing the photo of a long lost ancestor: Delilah Estle Daniels!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG_b_n1EEr3BiOiIOo3XK6_XQagihPXlvC_UuxFNlu6xhyphenhyphenOS41i7BcbIYAFIL_MBApUT2BvASSaik9odzlqfH3jd-KKqIvCWou2f2nJ0KZ7ztvkaokv3TglS1kIshUGTduh8EHduGbDo06/s1600/Daniels%252C+Delila.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG_b_n1EEr3BiOiIOo3XK6_XQagihPXlvC_UuxFNlu6xhyphenhyphenOS41i7BcbIYAFIL_MBApUT2BvASSaik9odzlqfH3jd-KKqIvCWou2f2nJ0KZ7ztvkaokv3TglS1kIshUGTduh8EHduGbDo06/s400/Daniels%252C+Delila.jpg" width="296" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Delilah Estle Daniels</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The discovery was made when I encountered a pile of very large photographs, all framed in different ways, covered by sheets. Three of the images were children - and images I had seen before, only smaller: My grandfather, Charles, as a baby, and his infant siblings who had died before the age of 4 - Richard & Garnet.<br />
<br />
But then I saw her. She was staring up at me, right in the eye....rather knowing...and piercing. I knew I had never seen her before. In all the scanned photo albums I had poured over for decades, she was new. She was unknown, but she was obviously important if she had been kept secure all these years.<br />
<br />
Below her portrait was an older gentleman. Again, no one that I knew. Followed by another, much younger gentleman. This man's identity I was pretty certain of as I had seen several of him as an old man. His big clues of giveaway: he was sporting the same beard and hairline in his old age as he was in this picture: <a href="http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=24823144" target="_blank">Madison Daniels</a>.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOHrFByjv4HmG6SAKIq9cpOXuNoM3YsDfO-DF-IIVcSde2pgQXqiaXAqwMJpMmbB_0z3ymljxK3xYyFJFgeiO1oDJ7vp6EnwqTOxCI2ZUyQTG-3P6oM4Vzpp5goa7xXr27lABb1E0KL2ot/s1600/Daniels%252C+Madison.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOHrFByjv4HmG6SAKIq9cpOXuNoM3YsDfO-DF-IIVcSde2pgQXqiaXAqwMJpMmbB_0z3ymljxK3xYyFJFgeiO1oDJ7vp6EnwqTOxCI2ZUyQTG-3P6oM4Vzpp5goa7xXr27lABb1E0KL2ot/s400/Daniels%252C+Madison.jpg" width="316" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Madison Daniels</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
All three images were chalk portraits. You know the kind, large beautiful images that are a tad softer around the edges, bearing a chalk-like appearance. These images are usually created as enlargements of smaller images, but I had never seen the smaller originals.<br />
<br />
I searched in vain for a label of identification....their frames were all different....and freshly sealed with paper tape. After identifying the young man as Madison, one of my Aunts declared the older woman had to be his wife, <a href="https://journeyspast.blogspot.com/2014/01/52-ancestors-3-mary-anne-hill.html" target="_blank">Mary</a>. Keep in mind that all three portraits were very similar in construct. Madison's paper looked a bit more yellow, but if these were created around the same time, the age difference was possibly a big clue that the woman was not his wife. But at this point, that is just conjecture. Funny thing about Madison's portrait - even though I knew who he was, I thought, "Wow, a pic of John Hunt Morgan!" With the <a href="https://journeyspast.blogspot.com/2014/01/52-ancestors-3-mary-anne-hill.html" target="_blank">family story about John Hunt Morgan</a> and the family clock, it was just an internal ancestral joke....you know, the kind no one would understand if you said it out-loud. The similarity in hair and beard with <a href="http://www.civilwar.org/education/history/biographies/john-hunt-morgan-1.html" target="_blank">JHM</a> is pretty cool.<br />
<br />
I had seen so many images of Madison's wife, <a href="http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=24823244" target="_blank">Mary Hill</a>, that I knew immediately this was NOT Mary. This declaration fell on deaf ears....and so I had no choice but to go in for dissection. Dissecting the frame is a hard call in cases such as these, but I was also not the owner of these portraits, and only had a few hours in their presence. Since there was a good chance I would never see them again, and since I had my really good camera with me (Thank God) I took a more drastic measure.<br />
<br />
In order to get a clear image of the older couple, the glass had to come off. I was not in an area of good lighting and had to use flash. I dug into the man's frame, took him out, but found no label. Cue sound of heart breaking. Funny note about his photo. There was a piece of masking tape on the glass, exactly like the pieces attached to the glass of the three children's portraits. Each of those pieces of tape had my grandfather's handwriting, identifying each child: Charles, Garnet, Richard. He had clearly meant to write on the label of the gentleman's portrait, but failed to do so. Does this mean he knew him and just forgot that step after freshly securing the back? Possibly.<br />
<br />
Then I dug into the woman's frame. Cue the ancestral angels singing: There was writing on the back of her portrait!!! Her name was truncated due to a possible family nickname: "Lila Estel Daniels, wife of John Daniels. Their children: James, Madison, John, Abraham, Silas, Janie." That brought on the squeals and happy dances. I could not believe I was looking into the face of a woman I had long known by name.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMW_ZOWL9JqaCgBcIScjBQrfpG6cQkDHY_F9RqbVF20LSnc2VqXIGgDdPh85xMI1K9X9tf3rB0aOthrpu6RGKl4PUSLt6AhGQ0dXQv8WD-gTCo6mW6oH2kew5Wmjxa-tpiFlH_BOvSKR0S/s1600/PA212248.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMW_ZOWL9JqaCgBcIScjBQrfpG6cQkDHY_F9RqbVF20LSnc2VqXIGgDdPh85xMI1K9X9tf3rB0aOthrpu6RGKl4PUSLt6AhGQ0dXQv8WD-gTCo6mW6oH2kew5Wmjxa-tpiFlH_BOvSKR0S/s320/PA212248.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
I first learned of Delilah Estle Daniels from the pages of the family Bible record given to my father years ago by Aunt Mattie Townsend. I wrote about this <a href="https://journeyspast.blogspot.com/2011/03/daniels-bible-records.html" target="_blank">Bible record</a> previously, and it became a wonderful piece of proof during my DAR application process. In fact, I submitted a copy which will forever be in the DAR application records. She was born in Pennsylvania in 1804, the daughter of Silas and Sarah Estle. This means she was the granddaughter of my <a href="https://journeyspast.blogspot.com/2016/01/my-dar-adventurepatriot-verified.html" target="_blank">Patriot, Daniel Estle</a>! So many feels!<br />
<br />
I also have a couple of other artifacts related to Delilah: Her obituary, handwritten by someone in the family. And a signed verse from Church in 1841. I'm assuming the later has to do with the membership process, but it is signed by Delilah and has been a special piece of our heritage for several years.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxtkwL1hHb9E4gx307mZw-y1av5IDYCkn2WG5-IsGSfBpTvGTPktOwVT11fQDTxg8ArUcDsAw6yP5dHqAQVONnPk7gQQUq7K3sCkmqpKAozJM0pR_Hz8UXcwFgc57lk_pBsCVuWMtwRuIz/s1600/Delilah+Daniels+Church.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxtkwL1hHb9E4gx307mZw-y1av5IDYCkn2WG5-IsGSfBpTvGTPktOwVT11fQDTxg8ArUcDsAw6yP5dHqAQVONnPk7gQQUq7K3sCkmqpKAozJM0pR_Hz8UXcwFgc57lk_pBsCVuWMtwRuIz/s400/Delilah+Daniels+Church.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
As for the other gentleman, I'm seriously thinking this may be Madison's father, <a href="http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=24823432" target="_blank">John Daniels</a>. With the similarities in photo production, his hair style and clothing, the odds are in his favor. I cannot be completely sure, but I also know that it would fit into the overall story of how these pictures would have been obtained. From what I have heard, the family went down to the family farm, in Porter Ohio, after the last inhabitant passed away (probably <a href="http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=daniels&GSiman=1&GScid=40786&GRid=24823807&" target="_blank">Uncle Jess</a> - died 1964.) They took home items that were left in the old farmhouse. Since they came away with Delilah, and Madison, it makes sense that John came along as well. With grandpa about to place a name on the masking tape, I'm assuming he knew the identity. Uggghh, if only he would have written on the tape!! But regardless, we are overjoyed to have a few ancestors returned to the family collective.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKVfVo7QLPAslf5-imqS7aIChdB20nTxIbtdsUpLFcaEIcG3hUcDe-Pn7TwEfLtfhHjuyFZS7WvjUU9BjXZQv-tvL5JOQfKCcFQZ1pUBqUgC9EhI-nr7eq1dQlapbQAaBgIGYkatkuuifN/s1600/Daniels%252C+John.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKVfVo7QLPAslf5-imqS7aIChdB20nTxIbtdsUpLFcaEIcG3hUcDe-Pn7TwEfLtfhHjuyFZS7WvjUU9BjXZQv-tvL5JOQfKCcFQZ1pUBqUgC9EhI-nr7eq1dQlapbQAaBgIGYkatkuuifN/s400/Daniels%252C+John.jpg" width="322" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">John Daniels?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Since I do not want to be the only person with the photo - I am placing a copy of Delilah's photograph on <a href="http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=24823502" target="_blank">Findagrave</a> for family members to find her and download a copy. I will place John there as well, with a note, asking if anyone has the original smaller version out there. If someone else in the family has the smaller version labeled, we could get confirmation!<br />
<br />
**Note that her name is spelled <a href="http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=24823502" target="_blank">"Delila" on her tombstone</a>. In every other written document - the Bible, her Church token, and her obituary - there is an 'h' at the end of her name.<br />
<br />
Welcome home, grandma Delilah! "Girl, you look so pretty!"Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14700942096676683769noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7891341104960753282.post-71968098539308427152016-12-08T12:57:00.000-05:002016-12-08T12:57:18.147-05:00The Orphan Packet<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRxr1Sr_F57cJXZjUxtaFd_YeZuEka25V7WLN0CEfcw-kT4G-5i7ky1ppg76yWuHhYun8XL5gvoVWeCY6o7SeYcbOMnP_XrQIB3Gt-b3-Z3P4ncP4wnjx0mgnbbPio2zn85in2eWbJO3hW/s1600/IMG_4745c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRxr1Sr_F57cJXZjUxtaFd_YeZuEka25V7WLN0CEfcw-kT4G-5i7ky1ppg76yWuHhYun8XL5gvoVWeCY6o7SeYcbOMnP_XrQIB3Gt-b3-Z3P4ncP4wnjx0mgnbbPio2zn85in2eWbJO3hW/s320/IMG_4745c.jpg" width="184" /></a></div>
In a previous post, I had put out a family <a href="https://journeyspast.blogspot.com/2011/08/hunting-wabbitsaka-warrens.html" target="_blank">beacon for Warren</a> relatives from Western Kentucky. The hope of re-connection was based on my Grandfather's unfortunate experience as a child. When he was around the age of 8 or 9, his Mother gave birth to a baby boy while she was in the last stages of battling Tuberculosis. The baby's fate remains a mystery based on conflicting information. However, my Grandfather and his younger sister, Estelle, were placed in an orphanage in Louisville Kentucky.<br />
<br />
You will notice that I just used a variable for his age at the time of entrance into the orphanage. This variable is based on the records received from the orphanage. In 1999, when my Grandfather was roughly 85, the orphanage contacted him and sent him his case file. As you can imagine, this was bittersweet for him, knowing the traumatic circumstances that prompted his placement in an orphanage that happened to be halfway across the state.<br />
<br />
The packet of documents included invaluable pieces of information about our family. In this post I want to take a look at the documents that were included. Outside of any actual court proceedings for an adoption, I'm assuming this packet would be typical for Kentucky children placed in orphanages of the time - and even more so for cases such as this, when the child was never adopted, but aged out of the system.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Correspondence:</b><br />
Chronologically, the earliest correspondence is between the public health nurse and the director of the orphanage, asking for them to take the two children. Apparently this was the first contact, and the nurse has explained the family situation in great detail - including the time frame of how long my Great Grandfather had the injuries that had rendered him partially paralyzed and unable to care for his children.<br />
<br />
There is also a letter from the Mayor of Mayfield, providing a letter of recommendation for the children - based on the urgent need created when a third child was born within the few days that followed the previous letters.<br />
<br />
<b>Letterheads:</b><br />
The County Health Nurse is writing on two types of letterhead:<br />
"Mayfield and Graves County Chapter of the American Red Cross"<br />
"State Board of Health of Kentucky"<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKRjcmPOjFcnPqc2QsH0k5gakWencPivDjtSJcsWOC1PwLn_59imfmCjePAYBxgDfbHoTJuzlza5uBAy5jfY2sXqBqj09UyHFQJjIMuq7apcoRJTrbD0D3VqZ3oncRrbUDqAyu-mraRukQ/s1600/IMG_4634+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKRjcmPOjFcnPqc2QsH0k5gakWencPivDjtSJcsWOC1PwLn_59imfmCjePAYBxgDfbHoTJuzlza5uBAy5jfY2sXqBqj09UyHFQJjIMuq7apcoRJTrbD0D3VqZ3oncRrbUDqAyu-mraRukQ/s400/IMG_4634+%25281%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
These two letterheads may point me into the direction of more documents. The Kentucky Board of Health records may be too difficult to obtain without a lawyer, but the Red Cross may be an avenue of pursuit in the future.<br />
<br />
<b>Application:</b><br />
Application for Admission into the Christian Church Orphans' Home of Kentucky - This appears to be a form made in-house, not produced by any state or local government. Full of amazing info: Parents' full names, ages, health approval of my Grandfather, and the religious affiliation of the parents.<br />
<br />
**Note** On the reverse of the Application are Conditions of Admission, including the cut-off age for children entering the home: 12 years old for girls, 11 years old for boys. Yikes!<br />
<br />
<b>Commitment Papers:</b><br />
Commitment to the Christian Church Widows and Orphans Home of Kentucky - This one is even better - chock full of birth locations for both parents and the child, as well as specific Church the parents attended during their life. Also includes the signatures of my Great Grandparents, including Great Grandmother Florence who died at the age of 25 of tuberculosis and who had just given birth a few days earlier. I've always thought that both of their signatures looked very shaky. I can only imagine the horrible emotions involved in the act of signing away your children.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG9jSpSaD52x8kXmokAQJnvjVwlXLasLFLhfaao7TWiL6bBje1cvzyLk39fjeY-dRXOIhJz8xz_DYbKWKjJ7Avffppr-tFRrw7PFmmmT6Ydg5G7hq96iSM4qZJdFSo61cgTM-LTmFjDPNR/s1600/IMG_4643+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG9jSpSaD52x8kXmokAQJnvjVwlXLasLFLhfaao7TWiL6bBje1cvzyLk39fjeY-dRXOIhJz8xz_DYbKWKjJ7Avffppr-tFRrw7PFmmmT6Ydg5G7hq96iSM4qZJdFSo61cgTM-LTmFjDPNR/s400/IMG_4643+%25281%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
A brief "Health Record" was attached for my Grandfather, stating that he had had measles in 1926.<br />
<br />
<b>Attorney Correspondence:</b><br />
This brief letter from my Great Grandfather's attorney is notifying the orphanage of the death of my Great Grandmother, and leaving the decision of notifying the children up to the administrators of the orphanage. He is also asking for some sort of report from the orphanage as to the well-being of the children now that they have been in the orphanage for a few days. Note that the information about the woman who "took" the infant included her state of residence - but that conflicts with <a href="https://journeyspast.blogspot.com/2011/08/hunting-wabbitsaka-warrens.html" target="_blank">newspaper accounts</a> which stated she was from Mobile, Alabama.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrS3FISPCp6_eMhbQ5SxCMoYviHBcTqPvC-M2lvXZ-1-7pX3TUQBQtYqvtm00m9XrF77SwNg8QL7rzJIpZn6hq0OgakKwg9-lVwWRteN1VBtyGBfKvfVEhi0aAWeb-vGZUXZM6mTWoXNRD/s1600/IMG_4647.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrS3FISPCp6_eMhbQ5SxCMoYviHBcTqPvC-M2lvXZ-1-7pX3TUQBQtYqvtm00m9XrF77SwNg8QL7rzJIpZn6hq0OgakKwg9-lVwWRteN1VBtyGBfKvfVEhi0aAWeb-vGZUXZM6mTWoXNRD/s400/IMG_4647.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<b>Family Correspondence:</b><br />
Wonderful handwritten letters from my Great Aunts who were writing to the children, checking on their condition and asking them to write to them, since they hadn't had any letters in a while. In regards to family letters, I would have loved to have the originals - but am thankful for the copies, of course.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxtT2AQ8QpRfl9TWF4RuBVtSogiF0LolACnB_mQFu92SZIRJi_UfGGbxVfYWtHGKVABCYj8plaEvdgvdh3tB1HetuP4pdPwYdY06l71vCwG9By0p7nUSadFso58onOFwpyncVr3tWcA9lt/s1600/IMG_4648.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxtT2AQ8QpRfl9TWF4RuBVtSogiF0LolACnB_mQFu92SZIRJi_UfGGbxVfYWtHGKVABCYj8plaEvdgvdh3tB1HetuP4pdPwYdY06l71vCwG9By0p7nUSadFso58onOFwpyncVr3tWcA9lt/s400/IMG_4648.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<b>Host Correspondence:</b><br />
Those who wanted to take my Grandfather into their home for apprenticeship - not adoption - were writing back and forth to the orphanage, describing their intentions and level of provision for the child, including basic education at a rural school.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAD8keK3MHFh43exuPAxy0-m3Vs5Zo-Nx7FZnlyLySs2BT8xuuTYGiKcS9g3fQxOYGLEfzR-tSSNxd8XZtw_3CJglc05mfb_LY11zBzRPtw9g-Xrbmrqr747SUZK1ygWMO0yrTtP6FiPDo/s1600/IMG_4651.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAD8keK3MHFh43exuPAxy0-m3Vs5Zo-Nx7FZnlyLySs2BT8xuuTYGiKcS9g3fQxOYGLEfzR-tSSNxd8XZtw_3CJglc05mfb_LY11zBzRPtw9g-Xrbmrqr747SUZK1ygWMO0yrTtP6FiPDo/s400/IMG_4651.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<b>Application for Removal:</b><br />
Last family to host my Grandfather had to complete the Application for Child to be Taken out of the Christian Church Widows and Orphans Home of Kentucky - this outlined the family conditions and provisions that would be provided - they also specified that this was for apprenticeship and not for adoption. Again, this appears to be a form created in-house, not something produced by the state or city/county.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT1NfKPKP5J9hixyPZaXyq68CROfPFTfne2adqHJtyBf5FXjaW_VFDK7cx1q-LEuXNoIultZfaohKXkFvIPtwpnkR1v1x8wmlyMnuI9QItAAFArT4b59t8HVSMN8U9uDt5ff74i1wOqp7f/s1600/IMG_4654.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT1NfKPKP5J9hixyPZaXyq68CROfPFTfne2adqHJtyBf5FXjaW_VFDK7cx1q-LEuXNoIultZfaohKXkFvIPtwpnkR1v1x8wmlyMnuI9QItAAFArT4b59t8HVSMN8U9uDt5ff74i1wOqp7f/s400/IMG_4654.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<b>Conclusion:</b><br />
Without these documents, I would have very little direct information about my Great Grandparents. Their location has always been a challenge due to the state line being nearby, and each branch hailing from different states (plus a few courthouse fires in one of their native counties.) These documents provided me with the small towns they originally hailed from. Witnesses who signed the paperwork are also great clues for my future research. A timeline of my Great Grandmother's death was also included, with notes about her illness. Family information from Aunts was also invaluable - and seeing their letters was a connection to the family that subsequent generations had missed, in comparison to the wealth of connections we had for other branches of the family. Again, giving me some clues for researching the rest of the family.<br />
<br />
When researching adoptions in Kentucky, this packet reminds us to look for the orphanage records. Sadly, there was no central location for these records. They were not transferred to KDLA, nor the local courthouse. The truth is, we don't know what happened to the records of each institution. Just remember, I'm talking about the orphanage records, not the actual adoption. There were loads of kids in the system that were never adopted, which resulted in equally parentless records. Adoptions were handled by the courts, but the orphanage records were retained on-site. Which then requires a scavenger hunt if you had any ancestors in the orphanage system. What exists? What survived? Those questions are never easily answered, simply due to the enormous amount of institutions that existed....and then faded away, along with their records.<br />
<br />
P.S.: I recently contacted the current incarnation of the Christian Church Homes of Kentucky in Louisville - now called the <a href="https://www.christiancarecommunities.org/" target="_blank">Christian Care Communities</a>. They still claim to have been around <a href="https://www.christiancarecommunities.org/a-legacy-of-caring/" target="_blank">since 1884</a>, but no longer care for children. Talking with staff, they related that the records pertaining to the orphans are stored off-site. In order to access them, they need advance notice to retrieve the appropriate box....<b>BUT</b>....they also need a release form from the former resident. Ummm, yeah, you read that right. I asked her about cases where the resident is deceased, and she said "sorry, we would need a release form for access." This reminds me of the hoops one has to jump through to access the Eastern State Hospital records. I'm assuming you would need to go through legal channels for access, but luckily, that's not something I need to do since I already have Grandpa's records.<br />
<br />
For more information about recent adoptions and Kentucky law, see <a href="http://www.lrc.ky.gov/Statutes/statute.aspx?id=7192" target="_blank">Kentucky statute 199.570</a>. This was apparently created in 1956, and amended in 2005.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14700942096676683769noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7891341104960753282.post-37508380388864084562016-11-14T21:36:00.000-05:002016-11-14T21:49:17.000-05:00Resource: Kentucky Civil War GovernorsThe Kentucky Historical Society has a new database that should be on your radar when researching your Kentucky Civil War era ancestors - and be sure to read to the end - they will need your help with the next phase of identification! <a href="http://discovery.civilwargovernors.org/" target="_blank">Civil War Governors of Kentucky, Digital Documentary Edition (Early Access.)</a> Why would Kentucky genealogists be interested in a database seemingly about Civil War Governors? Because this database is another way to explore your FAN (friends, associates & neighbors) connections on a state level. Yes, the documents are connected to Kentucky Governors of the time, but in a broad sense. Since no man is an island - think of Governors as conduits of action - actions that involved people, and produced documents to record those actions. The Civil War was a traumatic event for our ancestors, regardless of whether they went to war or not. Just think about the daily disruptions that took place: theft, requisitioning, violence, economic changes/challenges, jurisdiction/authority questions/changes, abuse of power, etc. Let's just say, there were many challenges that arose during this time to warrant civilian appeal to the Governor himself.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Kuqs3p7CEV6__lnOjHIT3ndHnv85C856S4l5T48bbH5KipM0i4HLXtp45Vh9409XtjSGAPv7j-dTiMPefu24_kGnIrpMBwlVcN-SLHN2TF5Q2TRS9-lg9QJBjMpcIqzGeNSDAo6iDe3B/s1600/CWG+Screen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Kuqs3p7CEV6__lnOjHIT3ndHnv85C856S4l5T48bbH5KipM0i4HLXtp45Vh9409XtjSGAPv7j-dTiMPefu24_kGnIrpMBwlVcN-SLHN2TF5Q2TRS9-lg9QJBjMpcIqzGeNSDAo6iDe3B/s400/CWG+Screen.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
In Kentucky, we had a split government - resulting in a Governor for each side - with a total of five Governors during the War. Each man produced thousands of documents pertaining to the petitions of Kentucky's citizens. Much like court records and/or newspaper articles, the information found within these documents help to flesh out the bones. They provide a supplemental view into our ancestors' lives - during a volatile period that shaped the future for many generations.<br />
<br />
So let's get down to brass tacks - what can you find if you search for an ancestor? First, I would keep it simple at this point. Look for unique surnames first, followed by individuals. You can also search the documents by location or subject. All prove to be very helpful when taking a closer look at your ancestor's sphere of influence. An important note about where the documents came from: So far, documents were scanned from the Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives (KDLA), Kentucky Department of Military Affairs, Kentucky Historical Society, Maker's Mark Distillery, and the Mary Todd Lincoln House.<br />
<br />
Just what did I find when searching for my family? Not a lot, to be honest. But I haven't abandoned the site, and hope to study further into the documents on a regional/county level. You will see from my result why sticking to this project will be important for the future.<br />
<br />
As a disclaimer, I only searched for my unique surnames, not individuals. I didn't get any hits with most of them, and then I typed in "Allender." I found one document hit that provided me with multiple connections. But you'll have to pay close attention to the spelling variations that demonstrate the importance of literally "exploring" the documents.<br />
<br />
My "Allender" hit turned out to be a petition for sentence remission regarding the conviction of a local man, Lewis Cummins. Apparently, the local court had convicted Lewis of stabbing a fellow Pendleton County citizen. He did not kill the man, but was sentenced to 6 months in jail and a $50 fine for the injurious assault.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZCQndmJ1b8fn4JfJ1CZrAm4aj635AsJKFlguRiXs2E0TnGOkoYb7XoETFGOJVjdzPUHkNq5wVLoG6soQqjKN4oNF4o6w6VDbi8WVyoXXCntrBesIh45QyyFl7P_LAqxFp8w8H2_vU3-aw/s1600/CWG+Petition.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZCQndmJ1b8fn4JfJ1CZrAm4aj635AsJKFlguRiXs2E0TnGOkoYb7XoETFGOJVjdzPUHkNq5wVLoG6soQqjKN4oNF4o6w6VDbi8WVyoXXCntrBesIh45QyyFl7P_LAqxFp8w8H2_vU3-aw/s400/CWG+Petition.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
The original judgement is attached at the top, with the petition included below, asking Governor "JF Robinson" for "executive clemency" in this matter. Their appeal and reasons for writing are included below:<br />
<br />
<i>"The immediate neighbours and acquaintences of Lewis Cummins, would respectfully represent: That they have known and are well acquainted with said Cummins, and know him to be a peaceable, well disposed, law abiding man, aged about 23 yrs, with a small family, a wife and one infant child, and in very humble and limited circumstances of life, as to means or property. — just commenced the work, upon and the owner of thirty odd acres of poor comparatively poor land in this County, upon which he has settled in the woods, having only about eight acres cleared, inclosed and under fence; this with his own and unaided labour, and known habits of industry, his whole dependence for a support and living for himself and helpless little family, in this season of busy toil, for all depending upon the soil for a living and the products thereof, as barriers against want & starvation — as to themselves and those immediately dependent upon them.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>The accusation against him is for stabbing in a sudden heat and passion, a certain Tyre Geilaspy, of superior muscular and corporal powers, and your petitioners would be glad to add of equal amiableness of traits of character — the promient witness in the prosecution, with, fortunately no serious or dangerous wound upon his person, inflicted, if inflicted in heat of passion; and while it is human to err, and especially so, in passion with a first aggression — your petitioners are convinced, fully and undoubtingly so, there under all the circumstances, the infliction of a fine and imprisonment in this case, loudly calls, in humanity and justice, for the interposition of executive clemency, on behalf of Cummins, we therefore invoke, under an abiding sense that punishment in mercy alone attains its ends, your excellency most earnestly to remit, especially the punishment of imprisonment, as ruinous to Cummins & family and also remission of the fine, as inflicted without reference to means of the accused to pay it a punihsment beyond decent —"</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
What follows this appeal is a list of 112 men signing on behalf of the convicted - original signatures of the individuals, NOT a list generated by one person! #genealogyhappydance The "Allender" gentleman that snagged the hit happened to be at the very top of the signature list: Thomas Allender. Off the top of my head, I was not familiar with Thomas, but kept reading down the list. To my surprise, I found several other men I recognized, including 2 of my Grandfathers!<br />
<br />
Most would say this was a slightly interesting document, at best, for my genealogical research. However, there were some clues that gave me a little insight into the relationships of these men. First of all, after many years of researching this community, I knew that many of these men were related to Lewis Cummins, either by blood or marriage. That does shed a different light on the petition. Several of the names currently transcribed were done so by someone who was probably not familiar with the local surnames, and could not read the fading ink well enough to get clear spellings. For example, "G. B Rible" is more than likely Joe B. Pribble. I can recognize the spelling of the surname as "Prible" when reviewing the original signature.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2eOkbqTvm1tXeSHqHwrDk_JY5pMLt3_ymvfV71ITOsb_Z1BQlFBHSj_A71yS8SDUsONcRbEfAxX3K8_5zdtKrwDDgrztwdvzNOGLmjE6ALGUrl471UcVD1vQgRx18gRbjMu3V5iOIIT4J/s1600/CWG+Signatures+Prible.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="86" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2eOkbqTvm1tXeSHqHwrDk_JY5pMLt3_ymvfV71ITOsb_Z1BQlFBHSj_A71yS8SDUsONcRbEfAxX3K8_5zdtKrwDDgrztwdvzNOGLmjE6ALGUrl471UcVD1vQgRx18gRbjMu3V5iOIIT4J/s400/CWG+Signatures+Prible.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5CA6InGFkiOfa6BV7J6vGU1OnEXnzdZqy6eIHVxmKAyf_k2IA8ku_UUY6ReV8ysiq3GNqEPlNcH-WtoGDeE3rnUT3FbvB-Ddd_zel-dAmAtClPky6pyYBKOtGW4lmSAkXYN8Ubxrxx_2u/s1600/Stone_Allender%252C+James.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5CA6InGFkiOfa6BV7J6vGU1OnEXnzdZqy6eIHVxmKAyf_k2IA8ku_UUY6ReV8ysiq3GNqEPlNcH-WtoGDeE3rnUT3FbvB-Ddd_zel-dAmAtClPky6pyYBKOtGW4lmSAkXYN8Ubxrxx_2u/s320/Stone_Allender%252C+James.jpg" width="216" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stone of "James J Alender"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The above slight surname spelling change did not apply to just one surname. In subsequent years, the Pribble family settled on the two 'b' format. Similarly, with the first Allender hit, Thomas uses two 'l's in his name. So too did the rest of my family in all the rest of the family documentation. However, farther down the list is "James Alender" (transcribed as "James Alenoer".) James happens to be my 4th Great Grandfather: <a href="http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=19725440" target="_blank">James Jackson Allender</a>. He and his wife (Mary Stout) are buried next to each other in the old Fisher cemetery on Route #10. Since James died within 3 years of signing this document, and 15 years before his wife, we always found it odd that his stone had the carving "Alender." His wife's stone, as well as those of his adult children included both 'l's in their spelling: "Allender." I had always assumed that the stone carver made a spelling error. But this document proves that James used one 'l' when spelling his name. You can't really argue with "from the horse's mouth", so to speak!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWc17i2OTRpH6DNSybVSfNplDy9QZTtspl00N51LWvbiofWtli1x07yplm8t4mYjgptvEQNHueFz0BOGSK_cCi-ZgFkcRmsxbchftpJtBkpzC-uYPhbol1-T6_fb7YB7jHzzFf9nThwBa1/s1600/CWG+Signatures+Alender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="80" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWc17i2OTRpH6DNSybVSfNplDy9QZTtspl00N51LWvbiofWtli1x07yplm8t4mYjgptvEQNHueFz0BOGSK_cCi-ZgFkcRmsxbchftpJtBkpzC-uYPhbol1-T6_fb7YB7jHzzFf9nThwBa1/s400/CWG+Signatures+Alender.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
A few names above James' entry, we find "B W Cox" followed by "N B MCall." BW happens to be my 3rd Great Grandfather: <a href="http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=19729875" target="_blank">Barton Warren Cox</a>. The signature below his is, more than likely, Barton's stepbrother: Napoleon Bonaparte McCall (yes, I also see the spelling change of MCall and McCall.)<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimvr07AIDKb9Hc_yYjqptNhv-GP5VwjBEo_Nc9OCd2hrt2R08dwFWyQ7CyyRuPXYrIR2RgqeAYeigLZFylGxiSSuBTJZKGNeNCMjjlmiHFmFWEuYoLzBGUw1g3m6xUM96_r_9KgguZL_p1/s1600/Cox%252C+Barton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimvr07AIDKb9Hc_yYjqptNhv-GP5VwjBEo_Nc9OCd2hrt2R08dwFWyQ7CyyRuPXYrIR2RgqeAYeigLZFylGxiSSuBTJZKGNeNCMjjlmiHFmFWEuYoLzBGUw1g3m6xUM96_r_9KgguZL_p1/s320/Cox%252C+Barton.jpg" width="224" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Barton Warren Cox</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
What I find to be interesting about these signatures is their proximity. I have no idea how these signatures were collected originally. I can see various types of ink used throughout, suggesting name collection on an individual or batch level. Was someone going door-to-door to collect the signatures? Possibly, but knowing the terrain of this area, that sounds very inconvenient. I'm going to guess that the signatures were collected at various meetings. Perhaps, Church, fraternal, or other local meetings. If the person had went door-to-door, there should have been names between Barton and Napoleon's. They lived in the same part of the county, but not next door to each other. Unless one was visiting the other at the time of the gathering, it can be surmised that they were at the same meeting when the petition was signed. The close proximity of the signatures on the petition reminds me very much of the early tax records. When the taxes were recorded chronologically, the men with the same surname, paying on the same day, can be assumed to be relatives of some sort. Sometimes, father and son.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Ke_BVxXlYRiCRJkfUvRyuGTc1n6WklOgaQ-3P8d4DZ9IZOcCLbb3LjSNGETxgrnvqKbao8AVh98e_0B1aNj8YCiuwLhQHCFmYXjalLtpej0dOZuX7IZ064Rl3-PIdzsluKnXgHCrL57k/s1600/CWG+Signatures2_Cox+MCall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="137" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Ke_BVxXlYRiCRJkfUvRyuGTc1n6WklOgaQ-3P8d4DZ9IZOcCLbb3LjSNGETxgrnvqKbao8AVh98e_0B1aNj8YCiuwLhQHCFmYXjalLtpej0dOZuX7IZ064Rl3-PIdzsluKnXgHCrL57k/s400/CWG+Signatures2_Cox+MCall.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
In this case, Napoleon was the son of <a href="http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=42203507" target="_blank">Barbary (Barbara Sharp)</a> and <a href="http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=42203192" target="_blank">Ross McCall</a>. After his father, Ross, died, his mother Barbary married <a href="http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=115680932" target="_blank">Samuel Cox</a>, the father of Barton. Why is this significant? Barbary was Samuel's third wife - and the widow of his very good friend, Ross McCall. The marriage came after Samuel divorced his second wife on the heels of a very salacious divorce proceeding. His second wife had accused him of both physical and mental abuse, along with poor treatment by his adult children in the area. Barton was never named specifically, but it painted a picture of hostile stepmother/stepchild relationships. When Samuel married Barbary, she had several McCall children that came along with her, and she gave birth to one or two Cox children.<br />
<br />
Back to the petition: By seeing these two step-siblings signing so close together, it tells me that they possibly had a friendly relationship. Perhaps it was even affectionate. Of course, I'm stretching this a bit, but with the past accusations of a wife being treated poorly by the stepchildren, it was nice to see that perhaps the accusations were exaggerated, or did not convey to the children of the third wife. It is nothing more than a curiosity, not really important to my research, but interesting from a familial perspective. Just a window into that chapter of Grandpa Barton's life.<br />
<br />
As for the local criminal: The outside of the petition says the sentence and fine were remitted as a result of the efforts of his family, friends, and neighbors. It's nice to know, that even during war, they were still watching out for each other, and that the system worked for Mr. Cummins. Or, one could argue that the system worked when his punishment was given, and the Governor acted as a "do-over" for the young father. Either way, this one document proved to shed light on a community, and a few members of my family. Which is why you should pay attention to the <a href="http://discovery.civilwargovernors.org/" target="_blank">Kentucky CWG</a> site as it develops. They will be needing help from locals or researchers who can add more information about individuals, or suggest corrections to the transcriptions when observed. There is a "Suggest a Correction" button at the end of each page. Also, in the future, they hope to connect the individuals in the documents to form a web of connections. This would be an area where you can help further. Keep this on your radar as you research your Kentucky Civil War era ancestors! Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14700942096676683769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7891341104960753282.post-85787239536198249672016-07-04T18:04:00.000-04:002016-07-04T18:07:02.001-04:00Revolutionary Rock Stars<div>
<span>It was a late August morning in Boston, steamy and damp with persistent drizzle. I knew the general location of my first stop. But rounding the corner, I hadn't expected it to be so close. Just down the street from my hotel, about a block, across from the next intersection, I could see the marble entry and trees along an iron fence. Realizing what my eyes were registering made me stop in surprise. Even in the rain it resonated as a sacred place.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPd_ThAlwIAgx07Y25GnopfrGqk2Xkip0VnpPzqngA34pgYk_Fe-DiCA16zCt0vm7vhknx1bJmM6PJp9IJUSo7xHW-kaIHqu7ZHd-9wC8VcXRjKEeAkXtthzTygXUNS2xaszaYrEgGNDlN/s1600/P8185217_CC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPd_ThAlwIAgx07Y25GnopfrGqk2Xkip0VnpPzqngA34pgYk_Fe-DiCA16zCt0vm7vhknx1bJmM6PJp9IJUSo7xHW-kaIHqu7ZHd-9wC8VcXRjKEeAkXtthzTygXUNS2xaszaYrEgGNDlN/s400/P8185217_CC.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
For decades, since I was in my teens, I had heard of this piece of land, the final resting place of many of the men and women recognized as instigators of revolution. The Granary Burying Ground. How many times had I read that title, and spied it on an old map, wishing I could see it for myself? Too many times to count. </div>
<div>
<span><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXEqvlNbVLmcJHYijaUo6A3gJxmHz8BnbmGupKmaHeWRetUZvNuNNx9cHwDzdBrgBsJ4Tq30-23ny6cEwcSazaaR8HVXCBJyRoUpI-hITlwi_ErYVz69EJk9dSQZZn2t8-9FH5om-2bJUk/s1600/P8185115_C.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXEqvlNbVLmcJHYijaUo6A3gJxmHz8BnbmGupKmaHeWRetUZvNuNNx9cHwDzdBrgBsJ4Tq30-23ny6cEwcSazaaR8HVXCBJyRoUpI-hITlwi_ErYVz69EJk9dSQZZn2t8-9FH5om-2bJUk/s320/P8185115_C.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div>
<span>I approached the Egyptian style archway, mentally noting its echo of a time period that was more contemporary. It looked out of place knowing the age of the gravestones inside the gate. People were coming and going, through the imposing arch, despite the drizzle. Once inside, the multitude of carved stones took my breath away. I stood next to an unsuspecting tour guide, half listening to his speech, while clicking away with my camera. I knew enough not to be rude and try to get a freebie tour without paying, so I moved along. After all, I didn't need a tour guide to tell me about this place.</span></div>
<div>
<span><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span>Ironically, or fatefully, I turned in the exact direction I needed to go. I only walked a little ways along the right front path, and there they were, under an old tree. One stone to mark them all. Despite their deaths occurring in 1770, I knew them all by name, my history equivalent of the Beatles: Samuel, Crispus, Patrick, James, and Samuel. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCQ39DBDs0dc-yathGM9QO5QoV5zBrYWVMHptQXxw60UmNCakaIMvGFFcZo1vi8yyD-NfC9B5ck8zZnPEYeuMMDYki3Dq_4CpmyihWr0ABS0bnI3E5h_5z6vEjqfLJpA1L_lgKCeOTWaNT/s1600/P8185130_CC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCQ39DBDs0dc-yathGM9QO5QoV5zBrYWVMHptQXxw60UmNCakaIMvGFFcZo1vi8yyD-NfC9B5ck8zZnPEYeuMMDYki3Dq_4CpmyihWr0ABS0bnI3E5h_5z6vEjqfLJpA1L_lgKCeOTWaNT/s400/P8185130_CC.jpg" width="312" /></a></div>
<div>
<span>The "victims" of the Boston Massacre have earned quotation marks from historians because of the questionable nature in which they died. Were they victims standing up for freedom's cause? Were they rabble, stirring up trouble and getting rowdy at any chance? I tend to think of them as victims of circumstance. Forces they could not see creating a perfect storm of resentment and hostility. At the very least, they were resisting a military presence in their city, and they did not expect to die that night. </span></div>
<div>
<span><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span>After years of reading trial transcripts, autopsy reports, and commemorative orations, I figured I was the only one who would be excited about finding their grave in this most famous of burial sites. But I was wrong. As I stood in the drizzle, and just silently took in the scene, the pebbles lined up on top of the stone brought tears. Physical evidence that others remember their story and mark the visit with a solemn placement of stone. </span></div>
<div>
<span><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span>I turned to move on and encountered THE Samuel Adams. A rounded, carved stone placed there by the SAR, also covered in small stones of remembrance. It was not grand nor ostentatious, but it was solid, like the personality it memorialized. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguWSnCRNcKJ-AuHyteKES2KqrhIS5c0sRpyawrasNU4loRnUAe9ZcimsxbzuzSQL7CisjROZndQIEzRQGffDNlL8toM24Tbd9vItjJSCxCCBThtYfsgLid8bhr3iidoMFpdgnDba1GL6ce/s1600/P8185127_CC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguWSnCRNcKJ-AuHyteKES2KqrhIS5c0sRpyawrasNU4loRnUAe9ZcimsxbzuzSQL7CisjROZndQIEzRQGffDNlL8toM24Tbd9vItjJSCxCCBThtYfsgLid8bhr3iidoMFpdgnDba1GL6ce/s400/P8185127_CC.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
The path continued on, and so did I...taking in the artistry of each stone. Time had worn the iconography and some of the letters, but the solemn purpose remained. For those buried in the majority of these graves, death was viewed as something of a stalker, always ready to pounce on the next victim. Each stone contained imagery that served as something of a 17th century PSA, reminding visitors that life was fleeting.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIgysyZhCHfrqEcJ6Xcr51GMF6lpys5ewADsXd9M6RuAYdFEMtAk0NyZXYSon_4ux-V2cWztGoszz-QrtXIs4-boHmD3JqjNoh1PgbFgc0FK9H9Lf9Qo2LXHkYAQkdNvdE6k0ITIm8QIBA/s1600/P8185231_CC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIgysyZhCHfrqEcJ6Xcr51GMF6lpys5ewADsXd9M6RuAYdFEMtAk0NyZXYSon_4ux-V2cWztGoszz-QrtXIs4-boHmD3JqjNoh1PgbFgc0FK9H9Lf9Qo2LXHkYAQkdNvdE6k0ITIm8QIBA/s400/P8185231_CC.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2RuW0ZrvxFweIGqEO5-AmFsj4AcO8R5otRHOaeeNyQw5qQV0pPeyXsbg_Ig6A73bcHvXEbGKAvuV_C0oMDpCrGzxC-dt9sAbBTNB-JEqwdKUlefYjr9kgpCAwv20cakMBvPwBV2XGPIYw/s1600/P8185343_CC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2RuW0ZrvxFweIGqEO5-AmFsj4AcO8R5otRHOaeeNyQw5qQV0pPeyXsbg_Ig6A73bcHvXEbGKAvuV_C0oMDpCrGzxC-dt9sAbBTNB-JEqwdKUlefYjr9kgpCAwv20cakMBvPwBV2XGPIYw/s320/P8185343_CC.jpg" width="238" /></a></div>
<div>
As I roamed, I came across other men of note: Paul Revere, John Hancock, James Otis, Robert Treat Paine, William Molineux, Christopher Snider....and others....men and women who got this party started! Most with only humble stones to mark their existence - except for Mr. Hancock, of course. (1896 replacement stone is quite large.) As the humble nature of the stones reminded me of the fundamental principles our freedom was founded upon, I realized my gratitude grew...inspiring me to share their story at every opportunity.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEDtmkEOeeqMe14hO6RboYicYzMRhLya_gjmkygNYfgQaz82A2UX6lSJuFIVoVPisGJ3ZnJDL1g-e2_cSckhnQgibDz3c0MEvWaaXy6pBVwQfUzgOmcg-nCJBehmkxGvPlj-cYl-n4W94b/s1600/P8185336_CC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEDtmkEOeeqMe14hO6RboYicYzMRhLya_gjmkygNYfgQaz82A2UX6lSJuFIVoVPisGJ3ZnJDL1g-e2_cSckhnQgibDz3c0MEvWaaXy6pBVwQfUzgOmcg-nCJBehmkxGvPlj-cYl-n4W94b/s320/P8185336_CC.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div>
<span>In a glimmer of hope, I noticed, among the dead, there was a pulse of life. Tour guides in colorful dress entertained tourists with the vibrant stories of those who inhabit the Granary. It is the power of the story that connects us to each other, despite the passage of time. I was pleased to see the story used to bring the dead back to life as the Granary maintained a memorial that was not just stone, but life renewed with each child that came through the gates to learn about our past. Reminding us all that while life may be fleeting, our stories keep living, as long as we tell them. </span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14700942096676683769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7891341104960753282.post-79114724354505063932016-01-18T16:47:00.000-05:002016-01-18T16:49:37.435-05:00My DAR Adventure...Patriot Verified! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_cvk1UsZNLfi3Y4BNBJUNOh3OgP5FbTTgX4aQJKWDyUmeb8bR2Lq5G6FknCC8uutvPghXCwP_K1HgudzjOJYYZK9doxzjZag65z9A7YFSRUQIZ-BKST9P4mCnH-IWGJFkSVOxrt4FwBos/s1600/scaninsignia150bluebkgr.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_cvk1UsZNLfi3Y4BNBJUNOh3OgP5FbTTgX4aQJKWDyUmeb8bR2Lq5G6FknCC8uutvPghXCwP_K1HgudzjOJYYZK9doxzjZag65z9A7YFSRUQIZ-BKST9P4mCnH-IWGJFkSVOxrt4FwBos/s1600/scaninsignia150bluebkgr.gif" /></a></div>
As 2015 drew to a close, I was anxiously awaiting proof of an accomplishment that had been part of last year's resolutions. Even though the proof did not come until just a few days ago, the date on the certificate clinches the 2015 tally. As you can guess, I resolved last year to join a lineage society. I had figured it would be one of the Ohio lineage groups, since that seemed to be the easiest path, but some friends here in Kentucky urged me to push for <a href="http://www.dar.org/" target="_blank">DAR</a>.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ6nHr9JU9DFLFSlfTTlrKxBLHC3qpLXZ6GQLZjxIBkCkXssjkDi4to18Q3LyewNEWoeICE45A-NFG9lDS8JvPjcH4MCHsS8QoUQ9VVmY5KHPb1vUCCAaG8L0ankagJDD_l2-DPB1TaOgf/s1600/IMG_0523.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ6nHr9JU9DFLFSlfTTlrKxBLHC3qpLXZ6GQLZjxIBkCkXssjkDi4to18Q3LyewNEWoeICE45A-NFG9lDS8JvPjcH4MCHsS8QoUQ9VVmY5KHPb1vUCCAaG8L0ankagJDD_l2-DPB1TaOgf/s200/IMG_0523.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
I had anticipated joining DAR many years ago. After all, it was during my teenage years that I discovered a letter written to my great grandmother in 1978 that let her know she was eligible to join through a branch of the Garrett family that settled the Chillicothe Ohio area. I can still remember going through my great grandmother's family items while sitting in my grandmother's kitchen and pretty much flipping out. Of course, I didn't have much of an idea what joining entailed, but I can remember telling my mom that she should join...so I could join when I was old enough. This discovery led me to the <a href="http://www.duncantavern.com/johnfox.html" target="_blank">John Fox Jr. DAR Library</a> in Paris a couple of years letter - and my first look at the DAR Patriot Index. There he was, my ancestor, Thomas Garrett, listed among those who had fought. One of my favorite genealogy moments!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqdsLlpYMgzzNBUfDpsWSW04Ls4lO9so8z6DHOWa1DXrtA16Tk_QN4LI-AS1u9QIfo9SJugkz2DjN30f_jyGMYWPa4CkDNMjURzDSotan3-uApZBKsF1OTnYtEtYM5xtUIJ3ahhznIe7QC/s1600/IMG_0530.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqdsLlpYMgzzNBUfDpsWSW04Ls4lO9so8z6DHOWa1DXrtA16Tk_QN4LI-AS1u9QIfo9SJugkz2DjN30f_jyGMYWPa4CkDNMjURzDSotan3-uApZBKsF1OTnYtEtYM5xtUIJ3ahhznIe7QC/s200/IMG_0530.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
Fast forward about 10 years when I was around 26, and I was fully investigating what was necessary to join, as a supplement to my decade-long immersion into genealogical research. A couple of sad things happened at that time to derail my efforts: 1. I ordered the full DAR application packet from Washington D.C. for my cousin that had joined in the 70s - you know, the old snail mail - and the application came back marked in red. Apparently, my ancestor was NOT the Thomas Garrett that had fought in Virginia, but rather a son of my patriarch. 2. My research was suffering from a lack of focus (too many branches at once), and so I turned away from this idea since the disappointment was so fresh. <br />
<br />
Fast forward another dozen or so years, and my research is much farther along: my B.A. in history and M.S. in Library Science are under my belt, and I'm employed by the state historical society. Also, by this time, the Patriot Index is now online...and way easier to search in my jammies! I started as many do, plugging in ancestor names to find another eligible branch. I have not given up on the Garrett line, but some of the other research passed down to me about that branch has been flagged in my own research radar. It needs some work, and I'm now very doubtful of the reliability of the research of others.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-LPgVoj6ru5yXw2bSziN0E7Ids03u1rQUESDBK3WwKyPKwwlNNafqaSyg5an5cAVK8iEor3qFR6WS2yGo3QrRXSAk1lAtz9oSF_Q7IlQmGlw6lwj1GPlD3LErJ1uxR6aExRF9DScGXHcl/s1600/NSDAR+logo_c_300_white.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-LPgVoj6ru5yXw2bSziN0E7Ids03u1rQUESDBK3WwKyPKwwlNNafqaSyg5an5cAVK8iEor3qFR6WS2yGo3QrRXSAk1lAtz9oSF_Q7IlQmGlw6lwj1GPlD3LErJ1uxR6aExRF9DScGXHcl/s200/NSDAR+logo_c_300_white.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
2015 also happened to be the 125th anniversary of the DAR's formation - which included a really cool commemorative certificate for new members! Plus, pushing me along are some great DAR ladies that frequent our library and events - including the State Registrar. Myra Evans is quite the DAR champion and genealogy mentor! As much as she pushed, I still wanted to complete this challenge, as much as I could, on my own. I regarded this as a genealogical test. Lineage society membership has a way of doing that for a researcher. There is nothing more intimidating than putting your research to the test to have it deemed worthy or unworthy. <br />
<br />
As soon as Myra confirmed that contemporary Family Bible Records would be admissible in the process, I had a targeted branch to work from. The "contemporary" records in my possession came from my Dad through our great Aunt Mattie Townsend. She was quite the keeper of history! If it had not been for her, and her insistence that the Daniels family research continue with the Daniels line, all would have been lost. Again, the "contemporary" records came from around 1879 and detailed the lineage back to pre-1804 Pennsylvania. That was really my golden ticket. Taking these Bible records and working both directions into Ohio and Pennsylvania, I hit the jackpot, and became spoiled by the great records in these two states.<br />
<h4 style="text-align: center;">
<b>So big drum roll reveal - my Patriot Ancestor is Daniel Estle of Pennsylvania!</b></h4>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqBz60ZAOM4m_A1yNE6piZYxLb-O3ce09E4zBo13wOlwzeweUbuNly_EcoKIYNh_ZGuuDrBqwM-GLZseFOKgMuB0Q2KcCDyZ5zGo0O0S9Q7kRoYTs0OnKyhtEEYLd_OYcFiIN-oDQXNwUK/s1600/IMG_0522.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqBz60ZAOM4m_A1yNE6piZYxLb-O3ce09E4zBo13wOlwzeweUbuNly_EcoKIYNh_ZGuuDrBqwM-GLZseFOKgMuB0Q2KcCDyZ5zGo0O0S9Q7kRoYTs0OnKyhtEEYLd_OYcFiIN-oDQXNwUK/s400/IMG_0522.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
I know membership is new to me right now - and so I can't say too much about the membership experience - but I thought you might like a list of some of the things I learned along the way.<br />
<br />
1. Hook up with another member prior to getting involved. They will introduce you to the right folks who will guide you along your journey. They will not do the research for you, but their experience and help can be invaluable. Besides, use the worksheet they give you, but DO NOT attempt to complete the application yourself - that takes the special skill of the Chapter Registrar.<br />
<br />
2. Finding the documentation for the most recent ancestors can be the hardest part - my grandmother lying about her age on the marriage certificate, great grandparents' divorce and remarriage, plus faded copies were just some of the fun obstacles encountered. Seriously, finding my own birth certificate was a boatload of fun!<br />
<br />
3. The back end of <a href="https://familysearch.org/" target="_blank">Family Search</a> (using the state wiki level - not name search) was a total lifesaver! They had all of the PA wills that I needed in beautiful clarity, for free, which happened to also name my female ancestor and the relationship to her father - bingo! This can't happen with every ancestor, but depending on the state, the jackpot can be variable - always worth a try prior to ordering documents from local sources!<br />
<br />
4. Again, complete as much as you can on your own, without any help, to test your mettle. Even if you're not a professional genealogist, nor have any desire to be such, your research experience can help other members or potential members. I limited my document collection to the worksheet minimums in order to make each direct link as simple as possible. My chapter Registrar, Brenda Hume, then scooped up my docs, did a little extra digging to follow the family through the census, and filled in the actual application paperwork for submission. Dues are paid with submission, not after being verified, so just be prepared for this - and remember - if you messed up, you have another year to get your docs corrected or another ancestor verified. Considering this, it's a good idea to work on a supplemental line while you are waiting on verification. That way, if something bad comes back, you are on your way to submitting another ancestor. Most folks are descended from more than one Patriot, documenting this fact is the challenge. I'm already working on a few supplementals - at least four additional Patriots in the hopper.<br />
<br />
5. Ordering the application packets from patriot ancestors through the DAR website has proven to be an awesome resource! I am already working on my mother's line so she can join through another ancestor - not the Garretts - and have found that the DAR supplemental info included information that is helping to solve a much more complicated family mystery involving an emancipated branch of the family. Even the Family Bible Records I used in my research will now be preserved in copy form by the DAR in Washington as a part of my supplemental information - which is pretty awesome. So, mine those records frequently for genealogical clues! They can get pricey at $10-$20 each, but they can be packed solid with great info, and worth the price! If you are unsure of which ancestor packet to order, the local Chapter officials might be able to help with that if you arrange a consultation.<br />
<br />
6. Spelling matters! My ancestor's name was Daniel Estle - it's there in his own will and the wills of his children, etc. Unfortunately, the <a href="http://services.dar.org/public/dar_research/search/?tab_id=0" target="_blank">DAR GRS</a> tries to be helpful by lumping all similar sounding name into one standardized spelling. While this sounds like common sense, sometimes, the system does not catch similar spellings to redirect you properly. Plus, the certificate comes back with the standardized spelling, instead of the spelling used by the ancestor. Disappointing, but in my records, and in my DAR pins, I will be using the correct spelling used by my ancestor.<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RKwXgSymtmA" width="400"></iframe><br />
<br />
On a personal note, the American Revolution has always been a very close research subject for me. From the same age, when I first learned about DAR eligibility, my personal research interest zeroed in on pre-revolutionary Boston. Why? To this day, I don't fully understand the pull. I was so focused on this research that I could name all of the important players, and events that happened in that area from 1768 to the Declaration. I even used to skip class in college to sit in the library reading newspapers of the day. The very first time I visited Boston, I teared up, seeing it on the horizon as our plane came into Logan - and I picked my hotel based on its close proximity to the Granary Burying Ground which is the final resting place of the Massacre "victims" as well as Samuel Adams, John Hancock, Paul Revere, etc. Ironically, the documentation necessary to join DAR led me to a brick wall breakthrough which I hope to write about more later - my Daniels line, which others had declared was a change from Irish O'Donnells around the turn of the 19th century, is in fact a Massachusetts line of Daniels - No name change - but rather, John Daniels born in Massachusetts - latter part of the 18th century. Is that my pull? Is that what I'm supposed to discover? At this point, I have zero idea which part of MA he hailed from...but with this new found knowledge, and an added incentive of DAR supplemental lines, there is a strong possibility that my research focus is about to head north!<br />
<br />
As my membership time grows, I hope to blog more about membership and its opportunities for service....stay tuned!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14700942096676683769noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7891341104960753282.post-70634779333087328242015-10-05T22:22:00.000-04:002015-10-05T22:28:48.900-04:00Considering Professional Diversity<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUIqoDDfcE2yY6TE8Sv4hxs4WXx0ByRNWw-JKYNKnCua9n_aAqaoP_xTo0xXaAksX1sZ9jOgJ5h3hIL0rVEhLkj3oumncoNlFZ7Aw6UHTdZFqnoiSzsnjaQoI_gBRn4LnU2DczCb9Dzyi5/s1600/Lincoln.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUIqoDDfcE2yY6TE8Sv4hxs4WXx0ByRNWw-JKYNKnCua9n_aAqaoP_xTo0xXaAksX1sZ9jOgJ5h3hIL0rVEhLkj3oumncoNlFZ7Aw6UHTdZFqnoiSzsnjaQoI_gBRn4LnU2DczCb9Dzyi5/s200/Lincoln.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Last month I was professionally involved with TWO conferences at the same time. For four days in Louisville, the state library association (<a href="http://www.klaonline.org/" target="_blank">KLA</a>) and <a href="http://about.aaslh.org/home/" target="_blank">AASLH</a> were both hosting their annual conferences on the same days within a couple of blocks of each other. My employer, the Kentucky Historical Society, was playing host to the AASLH Conference, and I was speaking twice just down the road at the KLA Conference. My professional connection to both conferences meant I was walking a line of involvement that brought me in contact with different, yet similar, energies.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The AASLH Conference consisted of several panel sessions about the management of state and local historical societies as well as the challenges associated with applying contextual historical value to the user experience. Obviously I could relate to many of their topics and challenges. When going through the exhibit hall, attending their evening functions, and following their Twitter feeds, I couldn't help but see an overlap in the genealogy and library fields.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The exhibit hall was full of library, archival, museum, and preservation organizations/vendors. In some regards I felt as though I were at a library or genealogy conference. During the main evening event on Museum Row, the SAR Library was open for free research to conference attendees! (A genealogist's dream) As Women's History was a main theme of this conference, the challenge of researching women naturally drifted toward the records available to researchers. Below is an example of the tweets coming out during the conference:</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6nQT97WaVyi7MKVbr46Ppi-hSR8BoacdJuv30ArseBpaCN_HdwBuCPgy3PClt-kpUDz7-zMf3zyiB5Fw2QCMGPG1EKNL__mT50coIKd7RKZhVN6tGfZpTf1Q3Fku8OAA9VllDnfwhKRvo/s1600/Women+Tweets.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6nQT97WaVyi7MKVbr46Ppi-hSR8BoacdJuv30ArseBpaCN_HdwBuCPgy3PClt-kpUDz7-zMf3zyiB5Fw2QCMGPG1EKNL__mT50coIKd7RKZhVN6tGfZpTf1Q3Fku8OAA9VllDnfwhKRvo/s400/Women+Tweets.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As you can see, genealogy rose to the surface as a valuable methodology when researching the lives of women in history. Of course, we genealogists could have told them that all along, but it speaks to the value of expanding our horizons at other related conferences. Just think of the networking and conversations that could have followed such a session if genealogists were in attendance.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The KLA Conference was no different. Yes, it is a conference designed for state librarians, but for those of us who serve genealogists, the opportunities were numerous: Maker Spaces, a new trend in libraries had a demo in the Speed Geek area that covered how to build or share a story, one line at a time. One speaker outlined the challenges of serving four main generational groups and the things important to them. As part of this presentation he outlined a way to get them all to talk to each other: Hosting a History Channel Live night to allow each generation to share their local memories and tape the session. He claimed this was a great way to document the memories of a community.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We also have a Genealogy and Local History Round Table as an option for KLA membership. As the chair of this group, I invited a representative from Family Search, Jane Colmenares, to demonstrate the Wiki functions and how easy it is to change the information. With the local information for each county in place, it is necessary for local organizations to make sure their information is correct for researchers seeking out state and local collections. Our speaker had worked with the Wiki for over eight years and had some wonderful insights for us to use as soon as we got home!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCF5yfl7oMy8QXUY1Es_DMadAQghcjrPgMd3AaXeg13LnvGVJQaUYiaKcgMSPDPtU7Jkdxcz16QsHLl6HsVGwODkwSw2-c1rlllWucJ_HTekyp9SmdrAPp39teY6e_1jRPdWd_94dtePba/s1600/Family+Search.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCF5yfl7oMy8QXUY1Es_DMadAQghcjrPgMd3AaXeg13LnvGVJQaUYiaKcgMSPDPtU7Jkdxcz16QsHLl6HsVGwODkwSw2-c1rlllWucJ_HTekyp9SmdrAPp39teY6e_1jRPdWd_94dtePba/s400/Family+Search.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So what is my point with all of this? I've heard some grumbles over the years about the national genealogy conferences using the same speakers every year. I still learn from these people, and don't always agree with that complaint, but I can see their point. Since the genealogy field is growing and changing at a rapid rate, and those that attend may need exactly what is presented there, perhaps it is now up to us to take a broader approach in our education and professional development? These are only two conference examples that related in some way to genealogy and historical research. There are so many others: Some focused on story telling/family history, ethnic specific research, women's studies, writing, etc. Lately, I've been looking at the various conferences and have decided I owe it to myself to branch out a bit. When the national genealogy conferences are not in my region and I know I'll be skipping them that year, I need to look at the other conferences nearby. Even if they don't fully fit my profession, I would like to attend as a genealogist, librarian, writer, to have our voice heard when other professionals are talking about issues that we deal with every day.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As the world takes more notice of genealogy as a valuable aspect of research, we need to be the professional voice out there. Not only can we influence in a positive way, but we can network with and learn from other professionals that can enhance our own profession. These new relationships can only serve to bring genealogy out of professional seclusion and into wider respectability. Besides, I feel the lessons of expertise can flow both ways, and will enrich our approaches to research as well as provide a whole new group of potential speakers/writers to learn from. Do yourself a professional favor and be watchful for new learning opportunities in your neck of the woods....I promise you will enjoy the change and just might come away with some new friends and a new sense of research energy!</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14700942096676683769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7891341104960753282.post-38561113254434252392015-08-23T19:11:00.000-04:002016-11-03T13:33:47.830-04:00History in Lights<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMpapxps6lMZ4ElKUvpQET91Ijztmvo9K9ITZJm5WPpdQDPP-Ty1PnghkK3pw0BCrpZHHZAuK43KNGOGNbxiIc5LT6ADhjbMcYdh1pa6CwyYUX_pbwQJy2xhx4OOI1PymfFFD57soe0paW/s1600/Riviera2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMpapxps6lMZ4ElKUvpQET91Ijztmvo9K9ITZJm5WPpdQDPP-Ty1PnghkK3pw0BCrpZHHZAuK43KNGOGNbxiIc5LT6ADhjbMcYdh1pa6CwyYUX_pbwQJy2xhx4OOI1PymfFFD57soe0paW/s200/Riviera2.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">What happens when the
lights go dark? In Las Vegas, several sets of lights go out every decade. In fact, one
grand set of lights that lit up the Riviera just went out this year. Only a
couple of months ago, you could still see the neon sign, ghostly dark with
shadows and reflections from the lights of the other casinos nearby. Despite
the command to pull the switch, bringing darkness, the <a href="http://www.neonmuseum.org/" target="_blank">Neon Museum</a> is waiting
nearby to offer a second chapter for those that faced the last curtain call. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The glitz and glamour of the Las Vegas strip is always tinged with a sense of déjà vu: As if you’ve seen
the extravagance before, perhaps just around the previous corner, or in an old
movie from decades ago. The glitter and lights have provided a backdrop of
resplendent euphoria. Of course, this effect is intentional, to make you feel
prosperous, beautiful, uninhibited, and timeless. But just as pockets
empty and beauty fades with age, so too casinos fade in popularity and age
tarnishes the shine of the flashing lights.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3hUBLwu-C_lefNixI3Edxfz3GeDv9O38ZAz0MFZv2JCh9PYyqU95a9kvt5OagMr1r0klyzt5xsvZ9WTI4JntN876TrdhTwS5CEQBPY1zdp4YNmVIUFiCPHLT3CzXMMQ82F72DJ3T7m-So/s1600/IMG_7329.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3hUBLwu-C_lefNixI3Edxfz3GeDv9O38ZAz0MFZv2JCh9PYyqU95a9kvt5OagMr1r0klyzt5xsvZ9WTI4JntN876TrdhTwS5CEQBPY1zdp4YNmVIUFiCPHLT3CzXMMQ82F72DJ3T7m-So/s400/IMG_7329.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">As a reminder of all
that glitters is far from gold, the <a href="http://www.neonmuseum.org/" target="_blank">Neon Museum</a> strives to preserve the essence
of Las Vegas, from its early days to the present. With each casino that is shut
down, the Museum is at the ready, hoping to secure a piece of the sign for
their "boneyard." </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY2Qk5p_r0HLNLheVeXRH2-IjZIDRbzSlqizLQx3WDb0CZjipmj7GUksUTyAysv2OPRFWuU6nPBLFOs-9jaWRwiK8AZElkeJn2HqevTnmkXuzMuvkgzKnu48vRaRwdvYQvxp-uw1E2MFk4/s1600/IMG_7343.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY2Qk5p_r0HLNLheVeXRH2-IjZIDRbzSlqizLQx3WDb0CZjipmj7GUksUTyAysv2OPRFWuU6nPBLFOs-9jaWRwiK8AZElkeJn2HqevTnmkXuzMuvkgzKnu48vRaRwdvYQvxp-uw1E2MFk4/s320/IMG_7343.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Over the years they have
collected many remnants of neon artistry. Not many are in working order, but
each comes with stories as big as the current towers of light still shining on
the strip, just up the street. That was the first thing that caught my
attention during our visit. Standing in the dark, waiting for the tour to
start, and seeing the glow on the horizon from the current casinos
that have risen up to take the place of the past signs we were about to
see. A reflection of humanity and life itself that was too uncomfortable
to speak out loud. Most waited in respectful silence, as if we were about to
enter a cemetery. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpRSZoFpRaO7loZEQCGXdyjfplxJbuZIGM8GNDP5I3HG0LkaC5HrH_89k8UmH0DiElBhpii0tilN1BSnzTjgKJ5bg64_nSYcOw-8oQtv5i39sTjPYEcb6ljIiQVbFTfPp6aEJV9UrBCttS/s1600/IMG_7360.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpRSZoFpRaO7loZEQCGXdyjfplxJbuZIGM8GNDP5I3HG0LkaC5HrH_89k8UmH0DiElBhpii0tilN1BSnzTjgKJ5bg64_nSYcOw-8oQtv5i39sTjPYEcb6ljIiQVbFTfPp6aEJV9UrBCttS/s320/IMG_7360.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Visitors are encouraged
to purchase tickets well in advance as tours sell out quickly. But the tour
choice is part of the experience. Tours can be taken during the day or during
the night. As a Neon Museum, I figured the neon signs viewed at night would
make for the best experience. In hindsight, I now realize either tour would
have distinct advantages. While the night tour provides an atmospheric
experience of echoes and shadows, the daytime tours would provide an
artistic experience of mid-century modern marvels. Many of the signs on
display are from the very era of Betty Willis’ famous “Welcome to Fabulous Las
Vegas” sign that has become a timeless icon of this city: impressive in either
the light of day or light of night.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The endeavor that
evolved from a Neon Boneyard into a <a href="http://www.neonmuseum.org/" target="_blank">Neon Museum</a> began very small and has grown
significantly over a brief number of years. Still, the effort, talent, and
resources necessary to bring darkened neon signage back to its glowing glory
does not come easy. Each sign is unique in construct, and only shines again
after a lengthy labor of love. This slow and costly process means their
collection of broken signs vastly outnumbers their collection of brilliantly
resurrected signs. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji4eX0A3nPZWMFV6XxMWoAYOQ1XHg7pFfA93K5EbVKw7okUpYiNuE7bHRCbo8piDSAii9Uq2wyQip5CXG22Z2smxChWEGDsjO_tu-4u0N0XvI4ULZtiu2ATOCMYcKl4KghlZ5jPGCVf7aa/s1600/IMG_7361.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji4eX0A3nPZWMFV6XxMWoAYOQ1XHg7pFfA93K5EbVKw7okUpYiNuE7bHRCbo8piDSAii9Uq2wyQip5CXG22Z2smxChWEGDsjO_tu-4u0N0XvI4ULZtiu2ATOCMYcKl4KghlZ5jPGCVf7aa/s400/IMG_7361.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">During the night tour,
visitors are guided through a maze of neon art. Sizes, colors, shapes, textures,
and messages are as varied as the current array of signs seen on the 21st
century strip. But time is always a variable, as evidenced by the patches of
rust alongside the brilliant residue of paint and glass. Since Las Vegas is
only a little over 100 years old, their earliest signs only go back to the
1930s and 40s. Not only do visitors experience the variance of light and color,
but design and construction changes enhance the stories told by the
guide. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWC1sb6814GsEnM3yEoDf-mC6O7zWoPeMLt-l4RpRTMht6e9GY5HlMz1Yf8hLi9675U-6ZKplTkz9pOZnTQHb93Q_MTRj79YrLY5M-igcuxVcqtNzi9BY1ubXrcMAdvYecyYX8zJp3kH6-/s1600/IMG_7305.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWC1sb6814GsEnM3yEoDf-mC6O7zWoPeMLt-l4RpRTMht6e9GY5HlMz1Yf8hLi9675U-6ZKplTkz9pOZnTQHb93Q_MTRj79YrLY5M-igcuxVcqtNzi9BY1ubXrcMAdvYecyYX8zJp3kH6-/s400/IMG_7305.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Celebrities, gangsters,
and early restaurateurs provide the history, but the contours and shapes
provide the visual record of 20th century sign making. As only a few of the
signs have been restored to fully functional operation, the museum has chosen
to light the signs and paths with colorful spotlights that create depth and
atmosphere. The darkened shadows with hints of light and color truly echo a
time past. Despite the name change from "boneyard" to
"museum" there was a sense of cultural death, and many locals still
refer to this place as the “boneyard.” Each decade of decadence has put its mark on this city in the form of massive light structures, meant to lure
visitors with the promise of riches. But the riches are ethereal, rarely
realized, and often out of reach. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKR75aDHZ9YdrGYaXbmP_dB2JnBgSsIg0vIuwHnV8pofZqCnkyfXO4M2e6AEO-VyMdV54N2PYsZKUba0vL-mK5-QWVKJStq_ePpdFMUDK8SeMaiVkmDchKPrw7uZ4y0eBojA0TDMarq2YQ/s1600/IMG_7351.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKR75aDHZ9YdrGYaXbmP_dB2JnBgSsIg0vIuwHnV8pofZqCnkyfXO4M2e6AEO-VyMdV54N2PYsZKUba0vL-mK5-QWVKJStq_ePpdFMUDK8SeMaiVkmDchKPrw7uZ4y0eBojA0TDMarq2YQ/s400/IMG_7351.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">And yet, the lure is
still alive. New signs replaced the old, and today’s lights are vastly bigger
and brighter. As we walked along in the dark desert air, names of legendary casinos
were spoken once again and visually represented by a small remnant of their
neon luster: The Golden Nugget, The Silver Slipper, The Stardust, The Sahara,
and an older version of Caesars Palace. Note the lack of an apostrophe. The
guide reminded everyone that Caesars Palace is named in such a way as to
declare that all visitors are wealthy Caesars and this is their Palace.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8oPM5U7lMA-y5my0AERwWDC8OuWQOKQJm9CF5BbsPlJj1gODrWW3TZcfLKYu4ut8yBncg_FnZLs4mZXx39n7CNlbPCoKjCvol5vXQ3CEbmiau2ed41PRJ0o20e_LktU0Jrqn1C6fehM3z/s1600/IMG_7355.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8oPM5U7lMA-y5my0AERwWDC8OuWQOKQJm9CF5BbsPlJj1gODrWW3TZcfLKYu4ut8yBncg_FnZLs4mZXx39n7CNlbPCoKjCvol5vXQ3CEbmiau2ed41PRJ0o20e_LktU0Jrqn1C6fehM3z/s400/IMG_7355.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Each new decade strives
to make the impact larger and more breathtaking than the previous, to lure more
visitors, with even greater promises. At the <a href="http://www.neonmuseum.org/" target="_blank">Neon Museum</a>, the echoes of past
decadence are felt poignantly with each turn of the path. As a result, the
beauty in this colorfully lit visage reminds us of the uniqueness of Las Vegas.
Everyone comes to Las Vegas for the experience, regardless of what we win or
lose here. It is a special place unlike any other, and purely an American mirage
built out of the desert. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">P.S. The museum is currently <a href="https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/neon-museum-desert-rose-sign-repainting#/story" target="_blank">raising funds</a> to restore its newest acquisition, The Desert Rose. They have one week left to reach their ambitious goal! Please consider donating to this groovy cause! </span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14700942096676683769noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7891341104960753282.post-11812863187768736512015-04-06T22:47:00.000-04:002015-04-06T22:47:30.047-04:00Kentucky Blue Blood<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj170E2yL-n33tyBKeff-5zL_qUpNpFq0Jbg0LOFq3rarZy7WBNUk933WYOMU12BHanFQs_WaCfV__lPcN00OF-TM74huSwLxX76xjQRFC2Z8Us2cVdNaCxw37D5fdFMJpZLbOCyohGmhhv/s1600/127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj170E2yL-n33tyBKeff-5zL_qUpNpFq0Jbg0LOFq3rarZy7WBNUk933WYOMU12BHanFQs_WaCfV__lPcN00OF-TM74huSwLxX76xjQRFC2Z8Us2cVdNaCxw37D5fdFMJpZLbOCyohGmhhv/s1600/127.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
Sorry genies, I'm not going to be talking about connecting my tree to royalty....you might want to look away.....I'm talking about sports royalty.<br />
<br />
March, with a little bit of April mixed in, is the hardest time of year for me. My anxiety levels go sky high, my friendships are severely tested, and I lose sleep staying up to follow basketball scores. As a 7th generation Kentuckian who also happens to be a two-time University of Kentucky graduate, basketball season is intense, to put it mildly.<br />
<br />
As much as I bleed blue proudly, I am usually saddened by the black and blue bruises Cats fans have to endure each year. I am well aware that "Haters gonna hate," and team spirit on all sides makes the field a hostile one, but I am really exhausted trying to be a good sport about all the negativity (except for Duke - Duke is our nemesis and always generates negativity - it's a Kentucky rivalry requirement.)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7iyFPXcoCYnNfsbYc3NemhM0aUCiMsaIHH19jEPh6bXSxy12eIk1ojIowjkv8MV8jD6SU0QA3QQzOfCaJQmRTMNJ40Xrz_pj3SZE-YkiopETKiZ_mpuVp9fCa2wjV8ueViAVe-739hPBA/s1600/DSCF7881.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7iyFPXcoCYnNfsbYc3NemhM0aUCiMsaIHH19jEPh6bXSxy12eIk1ojIowjkv8MV8jD6SU0QA3QQzOfCaJQmRTMNJ40Xrz_pj3SZE-YkiopETKiZ_mpuVp9fCa2wjV8ueViAVe-739hPBA/s1600/DSCF7881.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
It's clear, for most, if you are not a Cats fan, you are a Cats hater, plain and simple. It can get pretty nasty out there. I am very grateful our mascot is a Wildcat - those claws of ours come in very handy when fighting back. Uh-oh, did you hear that? My claws just came out....<br />
<br />
Why does everyone hate us so much?<br />
<br />
Is it because of our talent on the court?<br />
Possibly. Jealousy can be a pretty powerful negative force.<br />
<br />
Do they hate us because our players are arrogant and have bad attitudes?<br />
They may think this is the case, but in the field of battle, every team out there has cocky players and many need attitude adjustments....we didn't invent any of these perceived characteristics...again, cough, cough, Duke. Besides, many of our players both past and present have been sweet guys off the court. Sure, some have had bad attitudes off the court, but these are young men who have been thrust into stardom and sports royalty. It would be tough for most to ride through that experience with an unscathed personality.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzAlsNVC6TzNLm5sgnHj6TJCH_LkKcvJgW-FbC3S1bzOsMNHCWQuzOgyaQEsH8ZsbCYIkAy3uT3_X2uEO0lz0lb7hXov9dO2WZ82iokqM_iztM2U4ALcyn_1KZGA1sdb2jb6ut28JprVsC/s1600/IMG_0033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzAlsNVC6TzNLm5sgnHj6TJCH_LkKcvJgW-FbC3S1bzOsMNHCWQuzOgyaQEsH8ZsbCYIkAy3uT3_X2uEO0lz0lb7hXov9dO2WZ82iokqM_iztM2U4ALcyn_1KZGA1sdb2jb6ut28JprVsC/s1600/IMG_0033.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
Do they hate us because the fans are crazy and out of control (do I smell roasting couches?)<br />
Possibly. We are completely nuts about our team. Most of us come out of the womb being conditioned to wear Kentucky blue at every occasion, and many can sing the fight song before they can write a sentence. Seriously though, Kentucky blue is appropriate ANYWHERE: bed, work, school, Church, Wal-Mart, the Derby, prom, weddings, etc. Trust me, the merchandising keeps up with the multi-faceted demand.<br />
<br />
But let me point out a few things to the haters:<br />
<br />
Like several other states in the U.S., we are sports poor. We have a few college teams that are competitive on the national level, and when they make an appearance, they usually make it count. UK basketball is by far, the largest and most successful team we have in this state (sorry Louisville,) but beyond the college level, who do we have?<br />
<br />
I may have been born in Kentucky, but I grew up in Ohio, and still wore my blue proudly. But do you have any idea what it's like living in Ohio? There are so many successful teams, I probably couldn't name them all! I grew up with such sports icons as the Reds, the Bengals (don't snicker, they were pretty awesome when I was little,) OSU, Browns, etc....<br />
But just across the river, is a state that has been made fun of at every opportunity. Folks love our greatest two-minute run to the nearest bourbon barrel in May, but once the party is over, they go back to slapping Kentucky around. At this point, I'm no longer talking about basketball.<br />
<br />
I have heard every possible stereotypical insult about Kentucky, and each one actually does hurt. The insults hurt because it's a place I love dearly. It's like insulting my family.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs2wgcJRnThKgEisvidseSYaPt4xstgtyGBXH1Q9cFrleoLUIwPi6iE_UVgCP-qTqeKGKKMQ2WPT9er-_L9lDKUDc90ENNGknC8RmGMCkwKCISddgDn7zy_bNWaeguuDpCB1TzdBusQW8S/s1600/IMG_0108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs2wgcJRnThKgEisvidseSYaPt4xstgtyGBXH1Q9cFrleoLUIwPi6iE_UVgCP-qTqeKGKKMQ2WPT9er-_L9lDKUDc90ENNGknC8RmGMCkwKCISddgDn7zy_bNWaeguuDpCB1TzdBusQW8S/s1600/IMG_0108.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
The thing is, those who insult Kentucky do so with great joy.<br />
<br />
They insult our Eastern Kentucky residents, with "hillbilly" being a favorite label.<br />
Remember the War on Poverty? Every deplorable living condition that could be located was plastered on TV as an example of broad suffering. Sadly, the image stuck, despite any progress made over the past several decades.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpXG9ZpYWfhKVjTBxnAbXT3CqAOK6M0Pml0lElcYEdTpnnoGwrqgd1iCoiQjWu32pqVEifk_pEg7UhWBu-oOfGRYwV2bW2ujsWRZx7x_fiFtPQBJp8ihKoeq31MsvgHgVlksjsmcceXwFF/s1600/DSCF7883.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpXG9ZpYWfhKVjTBxnAbXT3CqAOK6M0Pml0lElcYEdTpnnoGwrqgd1iCoiQjWu32pqVEifk_pEg7UhWBu-oOfGRYwV2bW2ujsWRZx7x_fiFtPQBJp8ihKoeq31MsvgHgVlksjsmcceXwFF/s1600/DSCF7883.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
They have insulted our accents, which admittedly can be both annoying and charming. BTW, several times lately, I have been called out for NOT having an accent when answering the library reference desk phone, claiming I "must not be from Kentucky" because I don't have a twang.<br />
<br />
They continue to insult our intelligence.<br />
<br />
They have insulted our history.<br />
<br />
They have insulted our familial relationships, citing inbreeding as a rampant problem. One of my dear friends made a genealogy joke recently about Kentucky, reminding us that we don't use Ancestry.com for research, we have our own special database called Incestry.com. Seriously?! <br />
<br />
They make fun of past feuding families and the deaths that occurred as a result.<br />
<br />
In fact, one of the most jaw dropping quotes I read was from a book by one of my former UK professor: <i>This is Home Now: Kentucky's Holocaust Survivors Speak</i> by Arwen Donahue. In one of the interviews, a new Kentucky resident, recently transplanted from Ohio was asked about their preconceived notions of Kentucky before moving there. He said "While we were still living in Ohio, the Riverfront Stadium was the big issue. They started construction. And they said when they got done with that they were going to build the biggest zoo in the world. They were going to put a fence around Kentucky." Alexander Rosenberg p.144<br />
<br />
Unfortunately, some of the exaggerated insults have a grain of truth. In many ways, we have been an economically and socially challenged state. When the New York Times ranked the <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/26/upshot/where-are-the-hardest-places-to-live-in-the-us.html?WT.mc_id=2015-Q1-KWP-AUD_DEV-0101-0331&WT.mc_ev=click&bicmp=AD&bicmlukp=WT.mc_id&bicmst=1420088400&bicmet=1451624400&ad-keywords=AUDDEVMAR&kwp_0=10851&kwp_4=79880&kwp_1=126239&_r=0&abt=0002&abg=0" target="_blank">hardest places to live by county</a> in 2014, Clay County Kentucky got top honors out of the Nation's 3,135 counties. And sadly, the majority of our counties were painted some shade of orange - which meant "doing worse" according to their graph. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb84qrvPkCZMCazfDf5Rl8IfuvPNqw50NLC1B5st2MmJj7XBt6RXPRFst4QslTps-WqiseYhSCRyvWCHnvOP-fQX9M7rJXw2prED2VaHOKdA5UDJA7mtkV9km2DP2mSDYdac89FGLGOLsR/s1600/DSCF8050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb84qrvPkCZMCazfDf5Rl8IfuvPNqw50NLC1B5st2MmJj7XBt6RXPRFst4QslTps-WqiseYhSCRyvWCHnvOP-fQX9M7rJXw2prED2VaHOKdA5UDJA7mtkV9km2DP2mSDYdac89FGLGOLsR/s1600/DSCF8050.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
But after all the jokes subside, and the haters feel better about themselves for making fun of a state that has had some social challenges in the past, I like to revel in the beauty they cannot see for their blind and often cruel hatred.<br />
<br />
I grew up visiting my grandparents' farm in Bourbon County. The green rolling hills represented peace, love, and grand adventures. It is true that Kentucky is land and people rich. We have some of the most beautiful and fertile land in the country. Our people are some of the most hardworking and caring you will find anywhere. A unique mixture of southern charm, hospitality, and a dash of Yankee know-how.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg54A-jwlCc49kFRTmK93aAuZtvpyEwKGkuw-OEvJ_j43mwaRC7L4jGw6fgDt-11dUQUBbS_90lKVhR4Q3OAP0sc5R5u4Ck-0h-sZ9bjrzCLCNfqLO9mwz-2BqYSmLxAPgPZzlAaKkOeiSK/s1600/DSCF7844.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg54A-jwlCc49kFRTmK93aAuZtvpyEwKGkuw-OEvJ_j43mwaRC7L4jGw6fgDt-11dUQUBbS_90lKVhR4Q3OAP0sc5R5u4Ck-0h-sZ9bjrzCLCNfqLO9mwz-2BqYSmLxAPgPZzlAaKkOeiSK/s1600/DSCF7844.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
It is in our complexity that one can see our beauty most profoundly. Each region has its merits and quirks of personality. Even in our history, we could not quite choose a side....Officially remaining with the Union, but serving two governments during the Civil War. That's right, two governors, two governments. How's that for state rivalry? And they wonder why the Kentucky/Louisville games get a tad heated. It's still brother against brother on the court.<br />
<br />
Oh, and don't forget: BOTH Presidents during the Civil War were born in Kentucky. #historymindblown!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0L2vRJX0UtSB5BOJxMIx1Eo0nVl70lpQMS4kEsIKoeY4DgzRTzZhpBD7jumOHJRQpHH9DC5q3qAXkm8sKO-X9AheYO0HjcUwd5p3H8BHrpgUETFiic7fgK8wEKJlp1yDxms7xWmaItbvY/s1600/176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0L2vRJX0UtSB5BOJxMIx1Eo0nVl70lpQMS4kEsIKoeY4DgzRTzZhpBD7jumOHJRQpHH9DC5q3qAXkm8sKO-X9AheYO0HjcUwd5p3H8BHrpgUETFiic7fgK8wEKJlp1yDxms7xWmaItbvY/s1600/176.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
It was at the end of the Civil War that the University of Kentucky was born. A land grant institution, originally called Kentucky University, it grew to be one of the most successful Universities in the region. Much of its success founded on the rich and diverse agricultural resources that had drawn settlers in the late 18th century.<br />
<br />
So, for all you haters, that is 150 years of hard earned success that also produced an amazing basketball team as its most enduring legacy. Yep....it's our birthday this year! I know what we all wanted for our birthday...#9! Despite the tragic loss a couple of days ago, we had a raucous birthday celebration with a great season!<br />
<br />
Speaking of future banners. One other special thing I have noticed about Kentucky basketball: its ability to inspire. When I moved back to Kentucky 22 years ago, I noticed something that I had never noticed in Ohio.<br />
<br />
For roughly nine months out of the year, neighborhoods are full of impromptu basketball teams. As I drive down my humble suburban street, if the weather is even halfway decent, I have to stop to let the group of boys divide so I can continue to my house. The group is always there, most of the year, only changing slightly as they grow or new boys move into or out of the neighborhood. They are diverse in age, social, and ethnic background, but they all dream of one thing: playing for the Wildcats. They are usually decked out in blue and white, and playing their hardest, the competition fierce, yet friendly - building lifelong friendships founded on a longstanding sports tradition.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzjH86ffvX01q5OfhsLhLqnRUYfQUs465iVisSOmicUBa7LkDcpxaIpEZ1ypDQbgGmlVSWdJ5dLocWFpWXg4H-_qpOo_HzkeGwW3MS1II78yu6Km-KvjorgS68W-ZOQRe4v9rf1rp7BJp_/s1600/Cats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzjH86ffvX01q5OfhsLhLqnRUYfQUs465iVisSOmicUBa7LkDcpxaIpEZ1ypDQbgGmlVSWdJ5dLocWFpWXg4H-_qpOo_HzkeGwW3MS1II78yu6Km-KvjorgS68W-ZOQRe4v9rf1rp7BJp_/s1600/Cats.jpg" height="320" width="210" /></a></div>
For those who live in Kentucky, UK is by far the favorite team. It pulls the far corners of the state together to root for a shared cause. Why does UK have that power? Because Kentucky basketball is a tangible example of success, and provides a basis for dreams in a state that has had a tremendous list of challenges to overcome.<br />
<br />
So when we get a little crazy over our team, and put the "mad" in March Madness, please don't begrudge us our jubilation and passion. The decades of success deserve to be celebrated, and our pride for our team is unending. C-A-T-S! CATS CATS CATS!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14700942096676683769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7891341104960753282.post-87480356311343879402014-12-01T22:42:00.002-05:002014-12-01T22:42:15.224-05:00History Synergy in Cynthiana<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjclj5xcEUwsIrwyY5xa17qPgotkJgQb-IQXnhN8j4k3MqLc-6l3gAbYogp-WyRzpJoSshyqHng_nwMmFB_eGcqbK-7b07WaYbKdq4TataEGn9jUElg2EE0Pg7F4qvlKJnDV3jdbzP3n8Ti/s1600/Ridgeway+Collage2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjclj5xcEUwsIrwyY5xa17qPgotkJgQb-IQXnhN8j4k3MqLc-6l3gAbYogp-WyRzpJoSshyqHng_nwMmFB_eGcqbK-7b07WaYbKdq4TataEGn9jUElg2EE0Pg7F4qvlKJnDV3jdbzP3n8Ti/s1600/Ridgeway+Collage2.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
Last week, I was witness to something extraordinary in Cynthiana's City Hall. With my previous post, <a href="http://journeyspast.blogspot.com/2014/11/death-of-national-landmark.html" target="_blank">Death of a National Landmark</a>, I outlined the sorry state of our efforts to save <a href="http://www.friendsofridgeway.org/" target="_blank">Ridgeway</a>, aka, the Handy House. With one vote cast for demolition by the Fiscal Court, we were one vote away from making that order a reality with the meeting of the City Commissioners. If they had voted to agree with the Fiscal Court, demolition would soon take place. But something magical happened on Tuesday that halted such action for the time being. Just note that phrase: "for the time being." The fight is by no means over as the motion that carried only tabled any decision. At some point, a vote and motion will be passed, but we still do not know what that yet might be. We remain cautiously optimistic for Ridgeway, but tremendously hopeful about the state of history/preservation activism in Kentucky!<br />
<br />
When the word was spread via word of mouth, social media, local and state press, people got fired up. Locals, regional parties, state officials and national friends joined together to fight for this 200 year old treasure. According to one City Commissioner that night, support was pouring in from all over the country, asking them to save the house for the future generations, and for the nation. Those voices of support made a difference and will live on forever in the annals of history as an example of synergistic activism in the fields of history and preservation.<br />
<br />
The most remarkable aspect of the movement surrounding the salvation of Ridgeway was the diversity of age. As the meeting was set to take place, people kept filing into the Commissioners room until there was standing room only. To our delight, the age range of those attending and willing to speak in favor of saving the house stretched across the spectrum. The number of young people involved and in attendance was so encouraging! We are constantly bombarded with statistics and reports about how the younger generations are not as motivated when it comes to history and heritage, but this meeting proved all of that wrong.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBa8-mktU1LX4jkpKbG7igwpROs9mpd3D5QorWcWYtqJjWrJQm-EjLCGwLu_Ned3lVnW7o29f3VAZ2n7ceq5fdyWkVKQ5JsYfK1RWYOX-kXTNnmbtJab7MQipsXZE9dwNhvVMEJSHjKXqw/s1600/photo+(15).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBa8-mktU1LX4jkpKbG7igwpROs9mpd3D5QorWcWYtqJjWrJQm-EjLCGwLu_Ned3lVnW7o29f3VAZ2n7ceq5fdyWkVKQ5JsYfK1RWYOX-kXTNnmbtJab7MQipsXZE9dwNhvVMEJSHjKXqw/s1600/photo+(15).jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
To see the various voices step to the podium - from state officials, to local activists and concerned citizens, to descendants of the builder, and to state activists such as Griffin VanMeter - the passion and energy in the room was contagious and exhilarating! By the time everyone had expressed their support - including City Commissioner and <a href="http://www.rohsoperahouse.com/" target="_blank">Rohs Opera House</a> owner, Roger Slade - folks were hooping it up and hollering for history. When those passionate about saving history have to be shushed by the Mayor, it's a good day!<br />
<br />
So far, the motion to table the vote could be temporary. We have not been notified when a vote might come up on the agenda next - and could be as early as next week. However, a couple of things did happen that evening: The HCHC is still pressing for a vote to lease the property to them, allowing them to get started restoring the house. Griffin VanMeter from <a href="http://www.kentuckyforkentucky.com/" target="_blank">Kentucky for Kentucky</a> spoke and offered to purchase the property to begin restoration. Many voiced their support through letters, calls, and a line to the podium. It was a beautiful thing - but we have a long way to go. As of the next morning, one of the Commissioners called the HCHC to encourage them to purchase the property instead of Mr.VanMeter, simply to keep the house in the hands of a non-profit group.<br />
<br />
As of today, the <a href="http://www.kentucky.com/2014/12/01/3569641/lexingtons-griffin-vanmeter-expresses.html" target="_blank">Lexington Herald-Leader</a> is reporting that several local officials are in favor of the HCHC purchasing the property, but only if we relocate the house out of the park. Personally - not my vote. Relocation is a bad idea, but negotiations have not yet begun. If you didn't get to express your support in saving the house - you still have time to do so and encourage others to follow suit!<br />
<br />
Sending a big THANK YOU to those who got involved and voiced your opinion! It truly made a difference last Tuesday! Hopefully the support will continue and we will succeed in saving this treasure!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14700942096676683769noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7891341104960753282.post-91142968363349936652014-11-17T20:06:00.002-05:002014-11-17T20:46:37.263-05:00Death of a National Landmark<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMpmN-7gC-4Epdd1VTZ9FeqgelFWqqMABtKL84H8ebsxcxRxfZU4Av80GmWYDlK3hdtU0PQYPjiockMuynj8aXB9z0-V4xlsX3DbtVvemT17lzjjwFIevKru7bN7OyPN-jFR0Flk5wZN7F/s1600/Ridgeway+Collage2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMpmN-7gC-4Epdd1VTZ9FeqgelFWqqMABtKL84H8ebsxcxRxfZU4Av80GmWYDlK3hdtU0PQYPjiockMuynj8aXB9z0-V4xlsX3DbtVvemT17lzjjwFIevKru7bN7OyPN-jFR0Flk5wZN7F/s1600/Ridgeway+Collage2.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<b><span style="color: #990000;">For one last opportunity to help save this national landmark, please contact local Cynthiana officials! For more info about the house: <a href="http://friendsofridgeway.org/">friendsofridgeway.org</a></span></b><br />
<div class="Facebookinfo">
<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: bold; language: en-US; line-height: 84%; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ligatures: none;">Cynthiana Board of Commissions: (859) 234-7150 <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Facebookinfo">
<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: bold; language: en-US; line-height: 84%; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ligatures: none;">Cynthiana Fiscal Court: 859-234-7136 or </span><a href="mailto:hcjudge@harrisoncountyfiscalcourt.com"><span lang="en-US" style="color: black; font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 84%;">hcjudge@harrisoncountyfiscalcourt.com</span></a><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: bold; language: en-US; line-height: 84%; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ligatures: none;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Facebookinfo">
<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: bold; language: en-US; line-height: 84%; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ligatures: none;">Representative Tom McKee: </span><a href="mailto:Tom.McKee@lrc.ky.gov"><span lang="en-US" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 84%;">Tom.McKee@lrc.ky.gov</span></a><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: bold; language: en-US; line-height: 84%; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ligatures: none;"> or (859) 234-5879 </span></div>
<br />
On Veterans Day, the Cynthiana Fiscal Court chose to ‘honor’ the memory of one of its most prominent Veterans by voting to demolish his residence, Ridgeway (aka The Handy House), just 3 years shy of its 200th birthday. For those of you who wanted a pool to be built in the place of this national historic treasure, congratulations, you have quite a victory on your hands. Since there is no money to construct a pool, and since the demolition of a house on the National Register removes the possibility of federal money helping in said construction (or completion of the park), you will be the proud new owners of a hole in the ground – with only the memory of the opportunity and heritage that just slipped through your fingers.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglJ2xtiQ64nqFgVoVqA3ocXL7fKMDyvUSVsyEWBhHyHjZzzmml4BYZvzGQU05rBw95svu2lWFcJJgeP_9E9-SyOZc9O5nTWqklsdtQyweKI3yLMMORMpMl7036xcrj7ZRWnoaSBy2kJGUs/s1600/P6028818.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglJ2xtiQ64nqFgVoVqA3ocXL7fKMDyvUSVsyEWBhHyHjZzzmml4BYZvzGQU05rBw95svu2lWFcJJgeP_9E9-SyOZc9O5nTWqklsdtQyweKI3yLMMORMpMl7036xcrj7ZRWnoaSBy2kJGUs/s1600/P6028818.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a>Out of all the wonderful memories I have of Cynthiana from my childhood, none quite compare to the recent memories I have of Cynthiana’s people, fighting to save one of the most important pieces of history left in the community. I watched dedication and love of community in action. Years of tireless work, acts of love, in the vain hopes of preserving a piece of our heritage to pass on to future generations.<br />
<br />
With each temporary victory, political winds would blow once again, pressuring those who gave an oath to preserve history until they violated said oath and gave up the hard won victory before its allocated time was fulfilled. Despite the 2000+ signatures of community members expressing their support, and despite the thousands of dollars continually raised to save the house, those who wanted a pool had a more powerful voice, sometimes whispered in the right ears instead of expressed outwardly in open dialog.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVYcnyCvWyc_8DHBI-kxsVMAjla-UH4JcTKOtC_Bwakk6zZdqi7SiN_CMB7s2AH5LfIqsc8Ye1K0QD63qTPFVa_5p12RUp4q4Z6PyTzUvoj-N3d6oTn_5fBmqZGBiMoevJafg9p6lKWQdj/s1600/P6028752.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVYcnyCvWyc_8DHBI-kxsVMAjla-UH4JcTKOtC_Bwakk6zZdqi7SiN_CMB7s2AH5LfIqsc8Ye1K0QD63qTPFVa_5p12RUp4q4Z6PyTzUvoj-N3d6oTn_5fBmqZGBiMoevJafg9p6lKWQdj/s1600/P6028752.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
As I cherish the memories of new friends made, and proud moments witnessed, there are a few memories I will gladly try to forget: the easy disregard for historically significant properties expressed by a few local officials, and the sarcastic comments of a county magistrate who was of the opinion that we should just pick another house to “waste” our time and efforts on – namely his house – as he thought this was just another “Money Pit” waiting to happen - Despite the fact that no city or county money was to be used for restoration. Well, I have an answer for that comment made out of ignorance: history and the heritage of a community are not interchangeable nor fabricated. They are tangible elements of a community’s narrative that we, as wise stewards, have a responsibility to preserve for the future generations. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixhoHEh6rKR1VuuW0-rddpzB071_MPFD5KLLQhTNJVOCS_e6oXNyPpdu_lIDHOgEtnBXdZMSCjNC5nEWRPBYcsnJFArJy9ol4FcU4Qwe4A-tyDKyXcTpqDDKgfBOKtLbSGZKlPqRslWbH5/s1600/P5103965c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixhoHEh6rKR1VuuW0-rddpzB071_MPFD5KLLQhTNJVOCS_e6oXNyPpdu_lIDHOgEtnBXdZMSCjNC5nEWRPBYcsnJFArJy9ol4FcU4Qwe4A-tyDKyXcTpqDDKgfBOKtLbSGZKlPqRslWbH5/s1600/P5103965c.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
Just what kind of history is Cynthiana voting to erase? The kind that solidifies its place of prominence among our statewide and national histories. When we point to significant accomplishments of this community, should we forget the earliest foundations of pioneer accomplishments? The same foundation that built educational institutions, fought to keep our independence, governed through the Missouri Compromise, built an agricultural success story that inspired a new generation of pioneers that traveled west. From these accomplishments grew a struggle with slavery, freedom, more war, a split state, and an indelible connection to one of the most beloved Presidents of U.S. history.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG3tONhZMBY5FoccukkBoAlVoqbfUGa6VWOXjRO_MZ6NPPlWKQJowyD3zIWx2GzSUCy-7wuKiy1opCJ2FBHZLeNeDchkJ7AGEPGCqkm4c1RQKNNzWXUwr66lIJPVyj61VPnktY3P2AKVDv/s1600/Letter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG3tONhZMBY5FoccukkBoAlVoqbfUGa6VWOXjRO_MZ6NPPlWKQJowyD3zIWx2GzSUCy-7wuKiy1opCJ2FBHZLeNeDchkJ7AGEPGCqkm4c1RQKNNzWXUwr66lIJPVyj61VPnktY3P2AKVDv/s1600/Letter.jpg" height="200" width="164" /></a></div>
When our students learn about the Civil War, and they read the words spoken by Lincoln: “I think to lose Kentucky is nearly the same as to lose the whole game” (1861), will Cynthiana students be taught about their community’s connection to this important moment in U.S. history – Lincoln writing them to a native Cynthiana boy from Ridgeway? Wouldn't it have been a remarkable lesson learned if they could walk the hill up to a restored and beautiful landmark in their community, and could proudly point to it as evidence of Cynthiana’s rightful place in our national history? Sadly, that opportunity has passed. But hey, maybe in a decade or so, some of the kids of the community might be able to go swimming, and isn't that more important anyway?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyu-tUXqORuT5Ds4ys18ojqSNFxdfOQ6mOK87dxP5nraEo6eahlL-ap3-hFtw5lSi_38ezHBukrrvGZ7ApxoaUiI8aWABRZewEMi6oCClnH1uxZ61weSLK1EQ5ILrtnz-vAYdxuy6YEb_B/s1600/P5104021c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyu-tUXqORuT5Ds4ys18ojqSNFxdfOQ6mOK87dxP5nraEo6eahlL-ap3-hFtw5lSi_38ezHBukrrvGZ7ApxoaUiI8aWABRZewEMi6oCClnH1uxZ61weSLK1EQ5ILrtnz-vAYdxuy6YEb_B/s1600/P5104021c.jpg" height="166" width="200" /></a></div>
For those of you who have not followed this issue with rapt attention: Despite the house’s cosmetic appearance, it was inspected and deemed structurally sound by a top Cincinnati architect. After producing a sound business plan by real estate developer and Brown descendant, as requested, and as favorably received in late July by both the Fiscal Court and City Commission, the finances necessary to restore the house were within grasp. Since the house was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2005, simply allowing interested parties to raise the money for restoration, federal funding opportunities would be available for the park’s completion. However, this disgraceful decision by the Fiscal Court has denied the future generations a national historic treasure in their community they can look upon proudly, a new community space which has been greatly needed, and a completed park they were promised over a decade ago. The plan proposed was a sound one and a benefit to all in the community as it also included provisions for the pool next to the house. Now that this landmark is passing, just how many 200 year old structures with city, statewide, and national prominence do you have in Cynthiana to make this one obsolete?<br />
<br />
Raising a glass in final farewell to a great and beautiful monument of history not worthy of a community not willing to allow able hands to save it within the proposed few years. “The most effective way to destroy people is to deny and obliterate their own understanding of their history.” ― George Orwell<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmQ1qWzEsIuX8cjvHPaSM7nqW554zAQfO9BsADAKEDl3HEuCY5ba6BYBXnOeg3PlTXEN5TYdHdgueJTgF19_5KMOOUJYDeLILBTY2xdmx8mS_z7JXli6Y6NmPorijSmkLbG_g1t_h1bLRC/s1600/P7223072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmQ1qWzEsIuX8cjvHPaSM7nqW554zAQfO9BsADAKEDl3HEuCY5ba6BYBXnOeg3PlTXEN5TYdHdgueJTgF19_5KMOOUJYDeLILBTY2xdmx8mS_z7JXli6Y6NmPorijSmkLbG_g1t_h1bLRC/s1600/P7223072.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14700942096676683769noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7891341104960753282.post-60698727490593942262014-10-27T15:23:00.001-04:002014-10-27T15:23:23.396-04:00'Flambeau' from the Roaring 20s<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVlPe1mzLZdxxU-PMGVPV8wlR_K61dalXAkzKYUQ9P-Y97JFsA6Be3KvSQar5COV91diRMtzHqFT2WsNWG4FF9n47kWWCtyMmXTSJbDj7ZCMHXn01-hn9gEBnB1urIYfOLbIDZwYNrPWzf/s1600/P4072384.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVlPe1mzLZdxxU-PMGVPV8wlR_K61dalXAkzKYUQ9P-Y97JFsA6Be3KvSQar5COV91diRMtzHqFT2WsNWG4FF9n47kWWCtyMmXTSJbDj7ZCMHXn01-hn9gEBnB1urIYfOLbIDZwYNrPWzf/s1600/P4072384.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
If only an object could talk. Wandering through a local warehouse-sized antique store, I spied an object that practically reached out an imaginary arm and pulled me over with a command to "buy me!" As much as I adore antiques, I rarely have this type of encounter, and as a shopper on a very low budget, I've not allowed it to happen. But this was fate - kismet in its purest form, because the item of beauty was also beckoning from the discount shelf!<br />
<br />
It was just one martini/cocktail glass, its siblings long gone. One very special glass that had seen better days, but still had that air of glamour and mystery, and wore it proudly. Upon closer inspection, it jumped out as one of the most intricate examples of Art Deco finery that I have ever encountered. And that's saying a lot after growing up in Cincinnati (<a href="http://www.cincymuseum.org/union-terminal" target="_blank">Union Terminal</a> and the <a href="http://www.historichotels.org/hotels-resorts/hilton-cincinnati-netherland-plaza/history.php" target="_blank">Netherland Plaza</a> just to name a couple.) <br />
<br />
The glass of the cup portion is flame red, but opaque, like tinted milk glass. The stem is similarly opaque, but black as night. The bottom of the stem has a rim of metal circling it that matches the filigree decoration adorning the cup. And what an adornment it is: the iconic leaping gazelle, framed in a circle that it surrounded by an intricate maze of angled and swirling designs. Previous handling has peeled some of the metal away, but you can still see the design left underneath. What a gorgeous beauty it must have been in its heyday!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1rRuklW2SvxzChttj5cIocuWi3J7zlgJvMzdv6c6nx08VZv2QQ28uh_-iMAb31divFCpTpuwUrvihx1G8QuFp2tiXhdxXNiMUZNYJtB33FhK2d5RYxN1CX5UQLfP1dlyCDEOLb07IxXsW/s1600/P4072368.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1rRuklW2SvxzChttj5cIocuWi3J7zlgJvMzdv6c6nx08VZv2QQ28uh_-iMAb31divFCpTpuwUrvihx1G8QuFp2tiXhdxXNiMUZNYJtB33FhK2d5RYxN1CX5UQLfP1dlyCDEOLb07IxXsW/s1600/P4072368.JPG" height="331" width="400" /></a></div>
Researching this one has been difficult. I can find no mark on the glass or in the metal appliqué. Describing it in a search engine brought up everything but this style. I have yet to see another just like it. The closest I could find is a sale on Ebay for one that does not include the metal design. In reviewing pieces of similar design, (red opaque glass with metal appliqué) the closest I can find is a series made by the <a href="http://www.pairpoint.com/" target="_blank">Pairpoint Glass Company</a>, referred to as <a href="http://www.prices4antiques.com/Pairpoint-Glass-Compote-Bubble-Ball-Cherry-Black-Silver-Overlay-8-inch-E8946701.html" target="_blank">'flambeau'</a> from the 1920s and 30s.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxZL_ZpXToJyOU80VfrBhommH3GHSgOzGUKg0vTesLYKWBvCE_HZpHMMMTX3G53w8BLtMDZIU2ZwQvWk8KM3xa2jVjS_5-6GzErjbZoXriCAaU48ossTaeFPooFDFEIw6xwpobL7WuzeBg/s1600/P4072374.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxZL_ZpXToJyOU80VfrBhommH3GHSgOzGUKg0vTesLYKWBvCE_HZpHMMMTX3G53w8BLtMDZIU2ZwQvWk8KM3xa2jVjS_5-6GzErjbZoXriCAaU48ossTaeFPooFDFEIw6xwpobL7WuzeBg/s1600/P4072374.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
If it is a piece made by this company, the metal is probably silver overlay, which makes it an even more unique object. My romantic self assumes such craftsmanship was ordered by a wealthy family who gave many elegant parties...again, if this glass could talk...I'm sure it could share some amazing stories.<br />
<br />
Of course, the memory it would like to forget is being relegated to the sale shelf with a $2.00 price tag. Yes, that's right $2.00....the poor thing. I have rescued it from that extreme embarrassment and have it displayed prominently in my corner curio. No longer a citizen on the island of misfit antiques. Back to a place of prominence, where she clearly belongs.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14700942096676683769noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7891341104960753282.post-70054915912408884612014-10-22T20:13:00.000-04:002014-10-22T20:13:01.686-04:00Broken Wings: Finding George Remus<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXg4NbtNZzGu8q1M0RoeP7A9gfFotK5VQDKgj4vR4PWbO-MoPBwhtUK78liVpmhK6ckvzP3epVzNMhhBSkovRrqh17gyBSSZZUd4ds_8RaV_KrIH-FLyqkHYW7J6RTaAPO0ZliWQOJftfx/s1600/PA033975.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXg4NbtNZzGu8q1M0RoeP7A9gfFotK5VQDKgj4vR4PWbO-MoPBwhtUK78liVpmhK6ckvzP3epVzNMhhBSkovRrqh17gyBSSZZUd4ds_8RaV_KrIH-FLyqkHYW7J6RTaAPO0ZliWQOJftfx/s1600/PA033975.JPG" height="200" width="150" /></a></div>
A few weeks ago, while attending a festival in my Mother's hometown, Falmouth, we stopped in to Riverside cemetery to "visit" with my grandparents. As we paid our respects, I realized it was just daylight enough to go scoundrel hunting. About a year ago, I was watching Ken Burns' series <i>Prohibition</i>. As the story unfolded, he covered a chapter of history I had only vaguely heard stories about: prohibition and the Cincinnati area. I knew the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky area had been a hotbed of illegal activity that began with the prohibition era, but I had never heard of its king: George Remus. In a stunning footnote to history, it turns out George was buried in the same cemetery as my grandparents, despite his life and death in the Cincinnati/Covington areas. Burns also noted that locals remembered his stone because it contained angels, whose wings were ripped off shortly after he was buried there. This was something I had to see for myself.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyywd3qAdFqqmClrEZ1VcbZRcNHmnivRHpMS1cU8WEWXCJv4qPMNEcVLmHgM-MdZ6oV__HTDENOk4J2sCXFUBHCbNHG2IELAh14xRh6llbrWcns83g_dZokIGDaDXjj1osLVs_wL_P4imL/s1600/PA033980.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyywd3qAdFqqmClrEZ1VcbZRcNHmnivRHpMS1cU8WEWXCJv4qPMNEcVLmHgM-MdZ6oV__HTDENOk4J2sCXFUBHCbNHG2IELAh14xRh6llbrWcns83g_dZokIGDaDXjj1osLVs_wL_P4imL/s1600/PA033980.JPG" height="400" width="395" /></a></div>
In very short order, we found him. It wasn't hard at all since the cemetery isn't that large. Plus, I can count on one hand the number of stones that contain any type of statue. Based on the date of his death, I knew he had to be in the older portion of the cemetery, and with the "angels" clue, we found him within a few minutes of driving around. And sure enough, the wings were missing.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyWjXfMHRY1OgXWwACeKV9g_A1_JBykaTDK8GZVyHw9lQK3Z3kd02rSS4EF1Eh51g0tbT1IWI0ucg3yMu4YbeIdUgJAoYLdpLnsQ8kBrR8qFc21D-_GTK1PMb114BLjSKbZ0xy45KHvqI-/s1600/PA033938.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyWjXfMHRY1OgXWwACeKV9g_A1_JBykaTDK8GZVyHw9lQK3Z3kd02rSS4EF1Eh51g0tbT1IWI0ucg3yMu4YbeIdUgJAoYLdpLnsQ8kBrR8qFc21D-_GTK1PMb114BLjSKbZ0xy45KHvqI-/s1600/PA033938.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
The stone itself marks a joint plot containing George, his third wife, Blanche Watson, and two individuals from Blanche's family: Belle and J. Taylor Watson. Based on the life dates of Belle and J. Taylor, I'm guessing this may be Blanche's parents (Belle: 1854-1938 & J. Taylor: 1846-1889)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJNwhhDX27z68fg6bHRrJ_grwvjrHXAuK_jHS1ujH0zJQYMJbWEgdYze6adZioOLABp84mXTJUcDF21CpkeBOzKmISNcPNEAzwYl1JGabYP2cjYK86JqUqRcKdoPYv6JEFuy_viM9Zp3j6/s1600/PA033931.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJNwhhDX27z68fg6bHRrJ_grwvjrHXAuK_jHS1ujH0zJQYMJbWEgdYze6adZioOLABp84mXTJUcDF21CpkeBOzKmISNcPNEAzwYl1JGabYP2cjYK86JqUqRcKdoPYv6JEFuy_viM9Zp3j6/s1600/PA033931.JPG" height="200" width="180" /></a></div>
So, looking at the stone as a joint product, I tried to link up a timeline of its construction. Based on the style of the stones, it was not something from the 1880s when J. Taylor died, nor did it appear to be contemporary to the 1950s when George died. However, taking the death date of Belle into consideration, I'm guessing the stone was nearer to her death date of 1938, when George and Blanche were already a married couple.<br />
<br />
I also noticed that the individual burial locations based on gender had been switched. In most cases, the husband is planted first, on the left, and the wife on the right. Here we have George and Blanche correct, but Belle and J. Taylor are switched to place Belle and Blanche next to each other. This is not completely unheard of, but solidifies a close bond between the women. Ironically, in the newer part of the cemetery, my grandparents pulled the same switcheroo so my grandmother and her sister could be buried next to one another without displacing their spouses. Of course, even this switch is odd because if J. Taylor was the first to be interred in 1889, Blanche and George did not even know each other at the time. Perhaps the arrangement was made sentimentally at an earlier date? Conjecture on my part - but all things must be considered when analyzing burial placement. Of course, it goes without saying: wouldn't we also love to know who ripped the wings off? If it was done prior to Blanche's death in 1974, as the reports say, why didn't she have them repaired? Unless she knew that was a useless waste of money.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ukh6JOVdPa5PKlEcAQPIl5mN14dOm1p0Egj5t-iMqxidk_OQM6FERGUirK7dH17GDfo4N_3t8frsDx_6Nh_mxfr1DIJvOFEHMluZk8cnzncwQ-iTeuO19J2v7VuCiXqBNcAhygtcGvRQ/s1600/George+Remus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ukh6JOVdPa5PKlEcAQPIl5mN14dOm1p0Egj5t-iMqxidk_OQM6FERGUirK7dH17GDfo4N_3t8frsDx_6Nh_mxfr1DIJvOFEHMluZk8cnzncwQ-iTeuO19J2v7VuCiXqBNcAhygtcGvRQ/s1600/George+Remus.jpg" height="320" width="244" /></a></div>
If the monument itself is a product of 1938, this speaks volumes as to George's last years. These years are something that has begun to intrigue me a bit. Of all the things written about George, his bootlegging, prison time, and murder of his second wife (without prison time for the murder), very little has been written of his years after prohibition. The last 20 years or so are relegated to postscripts - most concur that he attempted to rebuild his fortune, through business and liquor sales, etc., but they all conclude that he failed in his attempt and lived out the rest of his years in obscurity, dying at his home in Covington. But, how obscurely did he live, and to what extent did he really fail?<br />
<br />
According to other reports, he had a nice real estate office in Cincinnati, and even owned stock in the Reds baseball team. From what I remember of Burns' production, it was the liquor part that failed on the second go round. I'm assuming the rest of his business was lucrative, at least to provide comfortable means. Let's just assume that the stone itself, in all its elaborate design serves as proof that George did have a decent size fortune. After all, the rest of Blanche's family plot does not match this opulence. The surrounding Watson stones are modest to say the least - very small indeed. Which brings me to the conclusion that the statue was a product of George's money, not Blanche's.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitH1HnAZZdyFEbHIge3UYzFnwTX_ZAv1lYPxasKOkIQPnvzRkgw_fB3yM9XTQ6i8FNlgGXI9behL3gCX-cGF1RW_4cVJoYC59b1B9sMg8qrA75QXsp_HdAyEoIc_-7yatFB3rip6Ew1Z0f/s1600/Gatsby_1925_jacket.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitH1HnAZZdyFEbHIge3UYzFnwTX_ZAv1lYPxasKOkIQPnvzRkgw_fB3yM9XTQ6i8FNlgGXI9behL3gCX-cGF1RW_4cVJoYC59b1B9sMg8qrA75QXsp_HdAyEoIc_-7yatFB3rip6Ew1Z0f/s1600/Gatsby_1925_jacket.gif" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
If you ever get the time, you should <a href="http://www.immigrantentrepreneurship.org/entry.php?rec=98" target="_blank">read up on George</a>. It is a fascinating story. As a young German immigrant (age 5), he was later known as the King of the Bootleggers, and also got away with murder after shooting his second wife, Imogene, in cold blood up at <a href="http://www.examiner.com/article/eden-park-gazebo-haunted-by-the-ghost-of-imogene-remus-since-october-6-1927" target="_blank">Eden Park</a>. Seriously, a rather twisted guy. Legend has it that Fitzgerald based his Great Gatsby character on Remus after meeting him at the <a href="http://www.seelbachhilton.com/03_a_historic.php" target="_blank">Seelbach Hotel in Louisville</a> (legend light on documentation) - but you get the idea about this guy's lavish and brazen lifestyle.<br />
<br />
I also found it worth note that his change in professional venue from Chicago to Cincinnati, during the height of prohibition, was not just based on the overly crowded and protected territory under Capone, but on the German friendly population of Cincinnati that was already adept at producing a crap ton of liquor. Those family ties folks - remain strong in crime as well as genealogy.<br />
<br />
As a postscript to my own family history - George's link to Falmouth has intrigued me even more. When I heard about the prolific nature of liquor production in Northern Kentucky, during and after prohibition, I suspected my great-grandfather's German immigrant family had a part in this profession. They were always listed as farmers in the census, but the family tradition of wine production is cemented with family artifacts related to said endeavor. One court record even relates the story of accused slander during a wine sale gone wrong - in Covington.<br />
<br />
The family's wine production is a subject I hope to research more, but it's hard to research a profession purposefully veiled in secrecy. One clue that keeps me hot on the trail is a picture from 1935 - just after prohibition. My great aunt and uncle (brother and sister) sitting on the hoods of their matching brand new cars. By legal profession, he was a farmer, and she was a domestic servant in Cincinnati. During the depression, this was a highly unusual purchase for their legal circumstances. 1935 was during the time when Remus was trying to rebuild his liquor empire - with the Falmouth/German connection, did they know the Watson family and work for Remus? I highly doubt it - but Remus was known for a complex network of "connections" to supply his inventory - and he was well known for paying them quite handsomely. I guess I have some more research to do!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy3aBGWZNS7IhXUyOYNe0GOTio3KlC1FAhU-DKhdy2yWa4TOhLPGvc-jAAJJlBJAU95QxPOKwA-372MO-BBfx8dsc3sJaRBK7xTb8BpK984-aDIK8lRI4CTGqcorhAelLejTcdkvvXtusx/s1600/SCN_0016C.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy3aBGWZNS7IhXUyOYNe0GOTio3KlC1FAhU-DKhdy2yWa4TOhLPGvc-jAAJJlBJAU95QxPOKwA-372MO-BBfx8dsc3sJaRBK7xTb8BpK984-aDIK8lRI4CTGqcorhAelLejTcdkvvXtusx/s1600/SCN_0016C.jpg" height="246" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14700942096676683769noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7891341104960753282.post-88186278014100586952014-10-20T23:10:00.000-04:002014-10-27T15:27:20.316-04:00Delights at Dinner with the Dead<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0E_BDWJdI0uMeKhT1Dod_CZGghX_67cAqy6OGHuQ_jQ9jSbnwmn0pkat9Y352CwjxuQuVvNhqsvljntadqScCs9pWCS4f8UTs9dq1-xAozKMES5q4MPHvAnvKn4FE3SY3ueaynlPbDmBJ/s1600/Dinner+with+the+Dead.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0E_BDWJdI0uMeKhT1Dod_CZGghX_67cAqy6OGHuQ_jQ9jSbnwmn0pkat9Y352CwjxuQuVvNhqsvljntadqScCs9pWCS4f8UTs9dq1-xAozKMES5q4MPHvAnvKn4FE3SY3ueaynlPbDmBJ/s1600/Dinner+with+the+Dead.jpg" height="200" width="160" /></a></div>
For a closet taphophile, I somehow spent several years missing the Dinner with the Dead events that have taken place in the surrounding areas. Fortunately, the Lexington History Museum resurrected the event this past weekend, long dead since 2009.<br />
<br />
The event this Saturday was quite a novelty on many fronts. First, as a cemetery that is only open by appointment, just getting in was delight numero uno. From that point onward, I was just taking it all in: the stones, the falling leaves, the side events, the food, and the entertainment.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaJwOIIwmaFGhtrssIncZN4Cp_c87LOy3rUFxRPWgwwJwMvBAIhIKsWIqmD2LIUwbfnUNbChfY4o8vOAQzHhiZ7HWTFOjp_v1k5LpZYQBnVmYyR6bQQ3rWl0kbnpEpHDFd_8Zqxno7UeYT/s1600/PA184062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaJwOIIwmaFGhtrssIncZN4Cp_c87LOy3rUFxRPWgwwJwMvBAIhIKsWIqmD2LIUwbfnUNbChfY4o8vOAQzHhiZ7HWTFOjp_v1k5LpZYQBnVmYyR6bQQ3rWl0kbnpEpHDFd_8Zqxno7UeYT/s1600/PA184062.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
As a cemetery, the Old Episcopal Burying Ground is old for the area, 1832, but too young to be in this state. The ravages of time have not been kind. Most of the stones are either in pieces lying along the edge of the property, or weathered away, never to be read again. This fact made the scavenger hunt a tad disconcerting, but there were pockets of stones in decent enough shape to be read for the activity.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyyqoEkAUEZohKKd09xVmTmWrYu1ftceUXv4z16wO2p_UyjuBNWqcBcZuQjBUNrf-fOfoHSuTc6MtK3P49wObNNqKjkeOpThjOaAil5BCertjPcpwo8q8DRRhOJ4A8kp98oI4c6AGQ2fZD/s1600/PA184028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyyqoEkAUEZohKKd09xVmTmWrYu1ftceUXv4z16wO2p_UyjuBNWqcBcZuQjBUNrf-fOfoHSuTc6MtK3P49wObNNqKjkeOpThjOaAil5BCertjPcpwo8q8DRRhOJ4A8kp98oI4c6AGQ2fZD/s1600/PA184028.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
Personally, I found the size of the cemetery perfect for this type of event. It was small, yet not too small. There was plenty of acreage for folks to wander around at leisure, with plenty of space. Kids were running around, having fun, and groups had ample time to see all the stones available without getting overly tired.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCeljhyQ3d-92XwUeG192l1Ge-SaUy5nmKQTc1yiA3DYYSMxwpqZfRBT8RpnbrocQkA9NT5MYfPN5Qe9xubnQ3SiHBikeeHwZbmvm88GEoeBJmqolstKN7YexS4H88TaJCSM4ru3CAYyh0/s1600/PA184079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCeljhyQ3d-92XwUeG192l1Ge-SaUy5nmKQTc1yiA3DYYSMxwpqZfRBT8RpnbrocQkA9NT5MYfPN5Qe9xubnQ3SiHBikeeHwZbmvm88GEoeBJmqolstKN7YexS4H88TaJCSM4ru3CAYyh0/s1600/PA184079.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
Speaking of kids, there were several small activities to keep them engaged: besides the scavenger hunt, there was an eyeball (ping-pong) toss, and a cauldron-like musical walk that resulted in prizes based on the image each child stopped on....again, with plenty of room.<br />
<br />
Probably the only awkward part of exploring was the abundance of walnuts and hedge apples on the ground. This is something one cannot control, but I found myself watching every step carefully, simply because I didn't want a twisted ankle. It made me think about liability with this type of event - should that be a concern, or am I over thinking this?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigXDpeMbea4aXlcFSMQ4cuKDs3vzFpfIlI8wJGuGxAXnofeFByLelJaSEtlSLTzg7ByDnOVt5kjs-rZ_T26vNT0D3sikpfg7c4AT4n_6i21iesvALX-4AiGDibZk3RRlr5hvcPaMh-H5h-/s1600/PA184130.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigXDpeMbea4aXlcFSMQ4cuKDs3vzFpfIlI8wJGuGxAXnofeFByLelJaSEtlSLTzg7ByDnOVt5kjs-rZ_T26vNT0D3sikpfg7c4AT4n_6i21iesvALX-4AiGDibZk3RRlr5hvcPaMh-H5h-/s1600/PA184130.JPG" height="200" width="150" /></a></div>
The dinner included a rather long wait due to each person being served at a time, but the choices were nice, yet simple: Pizza, mac and cheese varieties, jambalaya, chips, and a tiny cupcake dessert. As everyone was eating, the character interpretations got underway. One that was particularly educational was the Reverend London Ferrell. As the only African American buried in this cemetery, his story of pre-Civil War popularity among the white population was fascinating. He reminded everyone that he had the second largest funeral in Lexington, only Henry Clay's was larger.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH__t6ppE_0n2wSlVd8IBNPQkj-vtaSIGKcUbNsLtRnQtrzKsfo1TYQBL_9FiTNePKgMkVsCkQOVfOxEErzxLVepVoDrhc_KuUcsQmiMf4cxmxL5-t345IYjBcrB91OJPi_xwxJDvQ_sUM/s1600/PA184146.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH__t6ppE_0n2wSlVd8IBNPQkj-vtaSIGKcUbNsLtRnQtrzKsfo1TYQBL_9FiTNePKgMkVsCkQOVfOxEErzxLVepVoDrhc_KuUcsQmiMf4cxmxL5-t345IYjBcrB91OJPi_xwxJDvQ_sUM/s1600/PA184146.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
It was a cloudy, and slightly drizzly evening, but that fit the somber nature of this cemetery, begun as a result of cholera that ravaged the area in the 1830s. As I took in the names and stories with reverence, the families and young people were bringing life back to the space. Ironically, the crowd had VERY few gray hairs....most were college students, young families with children, or middle-aged professionals. The families were also culturally/ethnically diverse which was representative of the urban population, but perhaps, also a reflection of the event itself. Many other cultures enjoy celebrating the dead, and others enjoy the fright of the season. Either way, the life celebrated was quite a treat - I'm sure the dead would have approved!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtOkiCAF2m62PkkGYn8ddmTv80uQghmV5TN1qn0AXs1-gnKxm-3BTMACLAs-1X6kYP6mGDL3dAOlbzGrv1Z1F2YaZPYvSNEE4jKjoxyStuP0waa0rfSFJvOKsqL4RDBEfzRjQ1Tst2FIkL/s1600/PA184120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtOkiCAF2m62PkkGYn8ddmTv80uQghmV5TN1qn0AXs1-gnKxm-3BTMACLAs-1X6kYP6mGDL3dAOlbzGrv1Z1F2YaZPYvSNEE4jKjoxyStuP0waa0rfSFJvOKsqL4RDBEfzRjQ1Tst2FIkL/s1600/PA184120.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14700942096676683769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7891341104960753282.post-40584902382053883052014-10-06T20:28:00.001-04:002014-10-06T20:30:59.433-04:00Eternal Membership Level<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKoeLOB0BBI23e6TfJU8GH29vriK_v22_SC0sBstdNRXC8ZaDbvaMrfxgD0ZZ5pEM1RXiIG444zayslGM1IG9sKc4nTKLXNh3Knrx8CeBW1Otg-Qu3PCv3IeEnK5iYlzJfq1xCRrL3hM7I/s1600/PA034016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKoeLOB0BBI23e6TfJU8GH29vriK_v22_SC0sBstdNRXC8ZaDbvaMrfxgD0ZZ5pEM1RXiIG444zayslGM1IG9sKc4nTKLXNh3Knrx8CeBW1Otg-Qu3PCv3IeEnK5iYlzJfq1xCRrL3hM7I/s1600/PA034016.JPG" height="200" width="150" /></a></div>
This weekend, our family went cemetery traipsing in Pendleton County and stumbled upon a new stone we had not seen before. I cannot tell you how old the stone is, nor even if the person memorialized is dead or not. I know it is fairly new because I had not seen it last year when visiting my grandparents' graves, plus, it is constructed in a current style: Solid black, polished granite with fine etchings. Despite the stone containing a name, there is no date range to determine time frame of this person's existence. After a little research, I have determined that this person was from the Falmouth area, but was living in Biloxi Mississippi as recently as 2004. A few possibilities: This person is still alive and will be buried here someday, the person is buried in MS and simply wanted a memorial stone in his hometown and family plot, or, this person has died recently and the dates are still waiting to be etched.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicZJpkONdTtqVMOmcgwJPRE_AIS_5yPh_6-1gR6y3rn2KnuWhQqJeLsDyx21HchdgmwIUgmUDSy8O_0NPqD0-g11Mt38nZjkKm6B80di8JeL9hEh70zc8Y0c6PqY3iPqxgETXen4sIQlTr/s1600/PA034013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicZJpkONdTtqVMOmcgwJPRE_AIS_5yPh_6-1gR6y3rn2KnuWhQqJeLsDyx21HchdgmwIUgmUDSy8O_0NPqD0-g11Mt38nZjkKm6B80di8JeL9hEh70zc8Y0c6PqY3iPqxgETXen4sIQlTr/s1600/PA034013.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
It is, however, the flip side of this stone that caught my attention. Every organization he was affiliated with is represented in the applique or etching of the official logo. I'm serious...EVERY ORGANIZATION. His church affiliation is the first and largest organization represented, followed by military insignias, educational logo, and finally LINEAGE societies seals. Some of the Lineage societies represented are: SAR, Kentucky First Families, Sons of Union Veterans, First Flight Families. He also chose to include membership affiliations such as the Kentucky Genealogical Society, and the Kentucky Historical Society, among others. As much as I enjoy my affiliations and memberships, I would personally prefer family information to be on a tombstone. Then again, this does tell me about the individual possibly buried there. I learned that he was very passionate about his membership in lineage societies and valued history. I also had a clue as to further research directions, such as church membership and education connection. My question is: what is your impression of this...good information or over the top allegiance?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg1-8aXpNxkTKOOP8BcitKdmHBhnF1ORwGg05uG_smrJp8rl3p4TgMEBsdTt-_T4p4H-JzXndoiB48rywEin8GBGgzya05fEbVo0T0y5q0MsMd2vMZMi3rsf5w-Lacrfot6IoEmCQngmrF/s1600/PA034014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg1-8aXpNxkTKOOP8BcitKdmHBhnF1ORwGg05uG_smrJp8rl3p4TgMEBsdTt-_T4p4H-JzXndoiB48rywEin8GBGgzya05fEbVo0T0y5q0MsMd2vMZMi3rsf5w-Lacrfot6IoEmCQngmrF/s1600/PA034014.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14700942096676683769noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7891341104960753282.post-25956337807420852702014-08-13T18:44:00.000-04:002014-08-14T16:41:08.281-04:00Our Cincinnati Union Terminal<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGqmDbXCBo9boxwdFqasnELqn4JzKXxmtq3x2r9xcV3KSezm7nyIYtEC5PCbj_kzn0spgexxzwy8LtZPXVUfEL_JIEDwkz0x4KyyfSILs_U4W4ljSHqdzUCzi-pxx5hj5Oqwdp29MW_l7w/s1600/GlassSlide6C.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGqmDbXCBo9boxwdFqasnELqn4JzKXxmtq3x2r9xcV3KSezm7nyIYtEC5PCbj_kzn0spgexxzwy8LtZPXVUfEL_JIEDwkz0x4KyyfSILs_U4W4ljSHqdzUCzi-pxx5hj5Oqwdp29MW_l7w/s1600/GlassSlide6C.JPG" height="139" width="200" /></a></div>
Some places on planet earth have the ability to transport the living back through time as they envelope us in waves of sensory memory. With a look, a touch, a reflection of light off of a surface, we physically sense time. Not just seconds or minutes on a clock, but the emotions and heavy presence of life that came before us. The lives that built our present still resonate in the structural echos.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYZLPKI-ruH3y_s27G87VJFf4pQssNd9-XHLNgJM4qS-G2bOVKuf2S7xfWYHfxjA0qb8U5obT2llGoJaHpYjyTmaAhqNgM_YlZncvGVzbuNmfuNKKJqEpgzwn3jfPTdF7ggnylO6-B9R_B/s1600/Page1009c+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYZLPKI-ruH3y_s27G87VJFf4pQssNd9-XHLNgJM4qS-G2bOVKuf2S7xfWYHfxjA0qb8U5obT2llGoJaHpYjyTmaAhqNgM_YlZncvGVzbuNmfuNKKJqEpgzwn3jfPTdF7ggnylO6-B9R_B/s1600/Page1009c+(2).jpg" height="200" width="121" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
When the Museum Center asked "why" we love this museum, my mind immediately passed over dozens of scenes from more than one lifetime. With the building's construction in 1928-33, I saw my great grandfather, Clyde Daniels. Family tradition has always proudly remembered him as not only a railroad employee, but one that was employed and on-site when the building opened. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja0t61b9oTaAHjZmfPzSD8EA4F9CVOtdvgKuiS-pSTa9wq559-S2JSf3MDP5_TJLjVq-8WmuM7yydZpSkQ7zcur0MXUVqTG7AiIrfqw0S4jsPOFs0rLkmXeGg1JtnOayCGLWKJOG8QYx27/s1600/Charlestracks001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja0t61b9oTaAHjZmfPzSD8EA4F9CVOtdvgKuiS-pSTa9wq559-S2JSf3MDP5_TJLjVq-8WmuM7yydZpSkQ7zcur0MXUVqTG7AiIrfqw0S4jsPOFs0rLkmXeGg1JtnOayCGLWKJOG8QYx27/s1600/Charlestracks001.jpg" height="320" width="232" /></a></div>
<div>
His son Charles followed in his footsteps, working at the terminal, monitoring and maintaining train cars for over 25 years. When the flood waters of 1937 rose steadily, it was Charles that was in the lower levels that night (Black Sunday), witnessing the flood waters come up through the sewer system as the lights began to fail in this part of the city. His call to authorities began mobilization in his area.<br />
<br />
<i>"I was a young man of twenty five years of age and was employed by the Cincinnati Union Terminal Company and a First Sergeant of Company C 147th Infantry Ohio National Guard....</i><i>On Friday night, the water started to back up onto Freeman Avenue near the ball park and around the Union Terminal. All activity stopped at the Mail Building at the Terminal and I was left there to watch the property. I was in the basement of the office and just outside of the door the lid blew off the sewer and water started to bubble up into the street. I called the Master Mechanic and suggested he get some people to start moving the material up stairs. He laughed at me and said I was just being excited. Soon the water got so deep I went upstairs on the first floor. I went to the water fountain for a drink and there was no water. I tried to use the telephone and it was dead. Then the rising water in the basement hit the generators and the lights went out. I then started down the platform toward the Coach Yard. When I reached the end of the platform I could see that the water was several feet deep. So I turned around and went toward the passenger station. I was able to get to the station and stayed there until my time to quit at 7AM. The water by this time had backed up in front of the Terminal and it was necessary for a high bed truck to take us out. I was told not to report to work that night." <b>Charles C. Daniels, Sr. 1985</b></i></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUPwnFlXUZAdU_tXH_11Jt6mcDjdSCVnAzfPKkD7n-43lGwAocHbvATK7WxOPPiKvTWjOoNQ6bx7tLqQv59PP85X2S0ef6ZXCfop8pghyxrk77bfLcI2xdHv-_Bl9vlY-a-4jN5uOYovzL/s1600/photo+(12).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUPwnFlXUZAdU_tXH_11Jt6mcDjdSCVnAzfPKkD7n-43lGwAocHbvATK7WxOPPiKvTWjOoNQ6bx7tLqQv59PP85X2S0ef6ZXCfop8pghyxrk77bfLcI2xdHv-_Bl9vlY-a-4jN5uOYovzL/s1600/photo+(12).jpg" height="320" width="225" /></a></div>
I saw the many travelers, especially in wartime. My grandfather and his brother would have been among the many men who had to say goodbye to their families as they were called to serve their country. I saw the women in the USO, providing comforts of home to weary soldiers. I saw tearful partings and reunions. It was under these colorful arches of the semi-dome that many said final goodbyes. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I saw my father Charles Jr. as a boy, following his father around the terminal, getting glimpses of the nooks and crannies rarely seen by the regular visitor. Years later, he applied his profession of photography to the back tracks with his father as the subject, chronicling his retirement. I saw generation after generation of parents teaching their children to talk in the far corner of the front entry as they were given a magical lesson in acoustics.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmw5ed35JVn0i3M_xoSm43daIns_DAaipkU4uF6_UJCuRLnULfi0os0cWDhlgIgElHeGSA_u_4fQ7yEjfhOspJeA612lB3j77Y9R1u8qmAnl2ypt_201EtP1frAVrw1UDn29AZfbQuTnS-/s1600/Union+terminal003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmw5ed35JVn0i3M_xoSm43daIns_DAaipkU4uF6_UJCuRLnULfi0os0cWDhlgIgElHeGSA_u_4fQ7yEjfhOspJeA612lB3j77Y9R1u8qmAnl2ypt_201EtP1frAVrw1UDn29AZfbQuTnS-/s1600/Union+terminal003.jpg" height="280" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I saw the fast paced buzz of train travel in the 20th century, and the busy cabbies driving through the circular underbelly to transport new arrivals or drop of the departing passenger. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV5-6JultqIP1MUAxcuvMKt9azxCB1kwwWdxA9v6KEu-rzW7lJyTMWENCX7PDIhLkoy-J6LALCT61ToU_oMJUE2iN7tWmU_1ZvYAkYnXyKAt94ElGkI9bCcD3HVqT5XC0hKcFOp5U7ngN5/s1600/Charlestracks002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV5-6JultqIP1MUAxcuvMKt9azxCB1kwwWdxA9v6KEu-rzW7lJyTMWENCX7PDIhLkoy-J6LALCT61ToU_oMJUE2iN7tWmU_1ZvYAkYnXyKAt94ElGkI9bCcD3HVqT5XC0hKcFOp5U7ngN5/s1600/Charlestracks002.jpg" height="320" width="232" /></a></div>
<div>
Fast forward to the lean years of indecision and trepidation. I saw shoppers and a whole room of suits as my parents took their time, shopping and savoring the palpable remnants of the past. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I saw rebirth. A new generation of visitors. Some train passengers, the rest time passengers as they were transported through Cincinnati's history. Children exploring and learning at every turn. My brother and I screaming and laughing in the sink hole cave exhibit. Dad taking a picture with a flash, and blinding us all. The train of twinkling lights stretching across the iconic clock each Christmas as a bright and joyful treat coming down the expressway.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I remember ice cream in the soda shop and marveling at the Rookwood tiles inside. I remember weddings, theatre, and flying over the Grand Canyon. I remember walking the plaster statues of WWII, having a bowl of Skyline in the rotunda, and being transfixed with wonder every time I see the massive murals of colorful glass that tell a story all their own: Seriously, EVERY SINGLE TIME. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5L6wjYUBbH_-XqYg3GWTr05dJw-BsmuVKBDS9P6zIFb2TGiu8HY7U3T3TxRtdn8DXp7bunAHzWsv2nXwSAzWnkFxi3FUy0S0DtEm5f9crd3JCxo31UMfy8aQT1AjTnjBoMS3HPCpPuFKg/s1600/UnionTerminal2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5L6wjYUBbH_-XqYg3GWTr05dJw-BsmuVKBDS9P6zIFb2TGiu8HY7U3T3TxRtdn8DXp7bunAHzWsv2nXwSAzWnkFxi3FUy0S0DtEm5f9crd3JCxo31UMfy8aQT1AjTnjBoMS3HPCpPuFKg/s1600/UnionTerminal2.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
Today, we talk about uniqueness, aesthetics, and sense of place as necessary building blocks of a happy and satisfied community. How do we draw them in and make them want to live here or stay here? Give them a unique experience unlike any other, so they say. There is no more unique place in this city than the Museum Center at Union Terminal. Where else can you get a healthy dose of art, culture, history, and architectural wonder? It has no equal in the entire country, let alone in this Queen City. Union Terminal is not just a building, an Art Deco echo, filled with exhibits and theatre, it IS Cincinnati. This temple of time, this holy place, tells OUR story as no other could.<br />
<br />
For more information, including how you can help support this American treasure in trouble, visit the <a href="http://www.cincymuseum.org/" target="_blank">Museum Center website</a>. or @CincyMuseum on Twitter</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14700942096676683769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7891341104960753282.post-59248088230019154112014-07-15T23:27:00.001-04:002014-07-15T23:57:54.497-04:00PSA: Backward Balloons<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUdZR4GPDNSuBgPTSxldRaq7ME3tbZudhjW_gcapK8R4Tj7SdpmhizIPLSn3ht4uVB-KFph09Dkc8ZW8ML0wciuh8j__deTiFukz-W1vFdWXzacXFZjYJ329slhhuhiBNRGn0-_J_uGq_N/s1600/Balloons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUdZR4GPDNSuBgPTSxldRaq7ME3tbZudhjW_gcapK8R4Tj7SdpmhizIPLSn3ht4uVB-KFph09Dkc8ZW8ML0wciuh8j__deTiFukz-W1vFdWXzacXFZjYJ329slhhuhiBNRGn0-_J_uGq_N/s1600/Balloons.jpg" height="400" width="343" /></a></div>
This Public Service Announcement is brought to you from the past. The little girl in the photo, proudly holding a balloon, is me. The year is probably around 1979 or 1980. My Mother and I are standing outside our Church in Cincinnati, ready for the yearly Vacation Bible School balloon release. This annual tradition served as the kick-off for VBS, and provided two weeks of wonderment for children who eagerly anticipated the return of the cards attached to said balloons. The contest was simple: each balloon had a card attached. As the balloons popped at the end of their journey, we hoped someone would find the card and mail it back to the Church. The winning balloon was the one that had traveled the farthest.<br />
<br />
This tradition went on for years....but I remember when it ended. There was a shift in collective opinion regarding the environmental safety of releasing dozens, hundreds, or thousands of balloons into the atmosphere. Once we understood the impact of these repeated and widely popular actions, we just stopped. In fact, several states went as far as to make such releases illegal: California, Connecticut, Florida, New York, Tennessee and Virginia. In Kentucky, such releases are currently illegal in the city of Louisville.<br />
<br />
Unfortunately, I have noticed a huge resurgence in this activity. In 2014, the activity appears to be almost untouchable or irreproachable due to its connection to mourning. It has become the new go-to celebration of a life passed. Yes, I will admit, such releases are beautiful...but the brief moment of beauty does not erase the harm inflicted on wildlife that may come across the balloon remnants once the pieces fall back to the earth.<br />
<br />
When history does repeat itself, sometimes the same horrible results follow. I am saddened that we are taking a step backward to make the same mistakes of the past. Instead of celebrating a life passed by releasing dozens of items that could bring death to other creatures, why not come up with alternatives? Some have suggested doves or butterflies or even bubbles. While gardening the other day, I had thought of ladybugs. Gardeners purchase these beneficial little bugs on a regular basis as a natural balance of power when battling flower pests.<br />
<br />
<h3>
<b>Some will argue that this concern is no longer valid because of two things: </b></h3>
<b>1. The balloons are made of latex which is a natural substance and biodegradable:</b> <i>Not really - natural latex could be, but it takes 6 months for a natural latex balloon to decompose - plenty of time to adversely affect an animal. Most released today are not natural, but modified to decompose after years of exposure.</i><br />
<br />
<b>2. The helium inside the balloon takes it to a height that shatters the balloon's surface, thereby removing the danger of larger pieces falling to the ground:</b> <i>Not really, this can happen in some cases, only if every balloon is tightly sealed or tied closed. If the closure is loose at all, the pressure can cause the end to open and the balloon floats down intact. However, you cannot seal them with anything but the balloon bottom - any other closure, such as string, plastic, or tape is regarded as non-biodegradable and littering according to most local laws. Plus, even the shattered pieces can be large enough to choke a small animal. </i><br />
<br />
***One special note about closures, strings, or tags: Non of the aforementioned items should be used if you do make the sad decision to release balloons. Unfortunately, when viewing some local releases here in Kentucky, I have observed strings or ribbons attached to the balloons when let go. Which tells me this new and hazardous retro-fad has not even been researched prior to the organization of such events.<br />
<br />
For those of you who have lost loved ones, I have every sympathy for your loss, and believe you should celebrate their life in beautiful, grand gestures of love. However, in the case of balloon releases, please take that off your list, and try to think of a celebratory gesture that will not harm the environment or accidentally take a life as a result. Please pass on this word of knowledge from the past. I implore you to make a different choice BEFORE this new collective activity takes too great a hold!<br />
<br />
For more info: http://balloonsblow.org/Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14700942096676683769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7891341104960753282.post-61846039107210819812014-05-09T23:05:00.000-04:002014-07-15T23:33:28.705-04:00#NGS2014: Librarian Lessons<div>
The official kickoff of the NGS conference was quite exhilarating this year! Attendees were treated to a lovely talk by Dr. Sandra Treadway of the Library of Virginia. As the State Archivist and Director of the Library, she sees first hand, the challenges faced by researchers, and the staff that serve them. This is one of those libraries that is not only a research facility, but a public library as well. From the administrative standpoint, that makes for a complex approach to serving their patron base. How do you make the collections available to the public, while meeting their changing technological needs, while still managing to protect the archival/rare materials that are under your care? It's certainly not easy, and it's a challenge they have met head on by creating specialized areas for type of use.
</div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpWYs8z3wzpdTRARh-YUH_yEM_wW3214PBTiMp_s5Hho1QFEmh9D6IZKKtIasxwhWE1EAKkEdvhRsvdE4Zn_zC9KgPl19MEZNCXpP44BnabPdTxK4NmcsSlLh4Qnm7EmnXDM0pe6e9Ms7A/s640/blogger-image--1277396157.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpWYs8z3wzpdTRARh-YUH_yEM_wW3214PBTiMp_s5Hho1QFEmh9D6IZKKtIasxwhWE1EAKkEdvhRsvdE4Zn_zC9KgPl19MEZNCXpP44BnabPdTxK4NmcsSlLh4Qnm7EmnXDM0pe6e9Ms7A/s640/blogger-image--1277396157.jpg"></a></div></div><div>Most of you have spent a good amount of research hours in this relatively new facility (ca. 1994). And as beautiful as it is, the administration is eager to change things around to better serve their patrons. According to Dr. Treadway, they are already consulting architects to review options. So far, the report is favorable....they can modify in almost any configuration they desire, fitting in with the budget. The lesson here is multi-faceted. Libraries are ready to adapt their spaces for maximum patron engagement and use. Most all are restricted by budget cuts, but if the economy recovers, be on the look out for new library directions.....directions that serve the diverse patron groups seen everyday! </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYA1Hm3cve4LXPBjXDID1iS6kV6wkPTPSac3JnL0eOHKQPDaaVnG946URSU8kLXZqqKG5AbowxygftSYG1bUmrpnGgeJxHw6VZrptQBSGXJQia7peX54pSVNwvBD__fjhJM_1wnU3mmcQY/s640/blogger-image-404720453.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYA1Hm3cve4LXPBjXDID1iS6kV6wkPTPSac3JnL0eOHKQPDaaVnG946URSU8kLXZqqKG5AbowxygftSYG1bUmrpnGgeJxHw6VZrptQBSGXJQia7peX54pSVNwvBD__fjhJM_1wnU3mmcQY/s640/blogger-image-404720453.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14700942096676683769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7891341104960753282.post-53685139127025417312014-05-07T09:48:00.001-04:002014-05-07T09:58:03.029-04:00NGS Pre-Conference Sessions<div class="ennote">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The NGS Conference pre-sessions are well worth an extra day or two. As a brief re-cap of the activities I attended on Tuesday, I will highlight some tidbits learned.</span><div>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">#LibrariansDay</span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">This yearly staple for librarians who handle genealogical collections was held in the gorgeous Library of Virginia. Our opening session featured Leslie Anderson from the Alexandria Library as she covered their transcription project: Virginia Slave Births Index, 1853-1862. The project was originally the child of the WPA back in the 1930s. However, the microfilm copies were atrocious and needed to be re-processed. As a labor of love, they re-transcribed the records and have published them in a book available through<a href="http://heritagebooks.com/" style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" x-apple-data-detectors-result="1" x-apple-data-detectors-type="link" x-apple-data-detectors="true">HeritageBooks.com</a></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzQIAyRhK6PZyGFJ8-LmN-vk0CRck_hRfcG2KAcWoTAe4jX4GL9j-byj2AvmOGUxXakjTD4czlUlHKz7LbipXUG-53EPEt_TsDxl7pL9ymcTRLeyqBwXe-xsoxNx5rVRbB1Rz5S7P9sQfR/s640/blogger-image--1080073013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzQIAyRhK6PZyGFJ8-LmN-vk0CRck_hRfcG2KAcWoTAe4jX4GL9j-byj2AvmOGUxXakjTD4czlUlHKz7LbipXUG-53EPEt_TsDxl7pL9ymcTRLeyqBwXe-xsoxNx5rVRbB1Rz5S7P9sQfR/s640/blogger-image--1080073013.jpg"></a></div></div></span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We were also treated to sessions about re-thinking the contents of your genealogy vertical files, Family Search Wiki, Proquest products, and an exploration of the Civile War Legacy Project based out of the Library of Virginia. This project is focused on digitizing personal Civil War collections throughout the state. If you live in Virginia, be on the look out for a scanning date in your area! They are bringing their digitization equipment to a town near you!</span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrM6ao2Xd-If017qGank1Ot-w1SiLpFKmVu_E1v0SKZHlQaHI6G3OrZPgKQRRk1v_wLF29P51Z7uq9DH2Lv_00GP56qXZ0qNO3MzLS6BGi3ZrAxXJZ-GfNRzSPNX1EZo332sNIkChMjB3A/s640/blogger-image--367239607.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrM6ao2Xd-If017qGank1Ot-w1SiLpFKmVu_E1v0SKZHlQaHI6G3OrZPgKQRRk1v_wLF29P51Z7uq9DH2Lv_00GP56qXZ0qNO3MzLS6BGi3ZrAxXJZ-GfNRzSPNX1EZo332sNIkChMjB3A/s640/blogger-image--367239607.jpg"></a></div></span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Blogger Dinner Presented by Family Search:</span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">At the NGS blogger dinner last night, Family Search let us in on a few new developments.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">They have added more content to their Civil War records to their collections.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Their indexing software is moving to a browser based model, which means you will no longer have to download software in order to participate in indexing projects. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdW6W3Vjt6K4zYcmuarGqmKrzpckpRb6cKtvLgAWzdiMcGzWbpegHoTZqHK2Y70CotUNxJLx9R9lBSPsjH1fmb7siDTyPcFlVRwxS3IbDqtpT7gLqhVxnleCKEEUjKslDhJkwBanaL1buZ/s640/blogger-image-603626157.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdW6W3Vjt6K4zYcmuarGqmKrzpckpRb6cKtvLgAWzdiMcGzWbpegHoTZqHK2Y70CotUNxJLx9R9lBSPsjH1fmb7siDTyPcFlVRwxS3IbDqtpT7gLqhVxnleCKEEUjKslDhJkwBanaL1buZ/s640/blogger-image-603626157.jpg"></a></div></span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Since mobile applications are evermore important to users, FS is developing more in-depth mobile apps for both platforms. If you would like to test their new mobile apps, just send your name and operating system (iOS or Android) to: <a href="mailto:fs-mobile@familysearch.org" style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" x-apple-data-detectors-result="2" x-apple-data-detectors-type="link" x-apple-data-detectors="true">fs-mobile@familysearch.org</a></span></div>
<div>
<br></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The obituary indexing project is their biggest project at present. On <a href="x-apple-data-detectors://3" style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" x-apple-data-detectors-result="3" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors="true">July 21-22</a>, they will be hosting another crowd sourcing indexing event to get 20,000 users indexing during a 24 hour period. Be on the look out for announcements about that upcoming fun.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The obituary indexing project is extremely large....when finished, they will be four times as large as the 1940 census! </span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">That's it for the moment...more to come!</span></div>
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border-top-color: rgb(211, 211, 211); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; color: #262626; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-top: 32px; padding-top: 16px; width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td><span style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: small;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); line-height: normal;">Evernote helps you remember everything and get organized effortlessly. <a href="https://www.evernote.com/getit?email_name=emailNote&email_guid=d1f93e4b-1f5e-4cc1-a584-bcdaa9643831&email_link=download_app" style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Download Evernote</a>.</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14700942096676683769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7891341104960753282.post-58666847952217047942014-05-03T22:30:00.001-04:002014-05-03T22:30:05.844-04:00NGS 2014: Bag Switch-arooFor those still packing for Richmond, I have a confession to make. So, ya'll with with your bag advice...telling us to save the NGS bag for later and bring along a different bag to use during the conference...you win...for NGS I am a convert. I had forgotten about the NGS bags. They are not close to the body, but rather open, kind of loose, and not easily slung on the arm. They are fantastic for hauling all of your loot home gathered over the course of the conference and I use them a lot after returning, but on a daily basis, they are not travel friendly.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2NwSOfllD8_BIJTjTy_sQ5JHR_7V5bQd_EAliX0uNSkgOeP7BJx46sfY-nEVThoiuBtPhJ1yHrVf_C8ZL83eZpOq3wHU9JkBUYfY8mHpipeaC4W_pxwVQwPhNKR0rxtPDHFijMM9z04c3/s1600/Bags.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2NwSOfllD8_BIJTjTy_sQ5JHR_7V5bQd_EAliX0uNSkgOeP7BJx46sfY-nEVThoiuBtPhJ1yHrVf_C8ZL83eZpOq3wHU9JkBUYfY8mHpipeaC4W_pxwVQwPhNKR0rxtPDHFijMM9z04c3/s1600/Bags.jpg" height="253" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
For any other major conference, I would still use the conference bag. As you can see above, the FGS and the RootsTech bags are designed to hug the body and are much smaller. I know some have been worried about accidentally leaving their bag behind in the mass confusion of duplicate bags. With the NGS bags, I agree. They are not on you physically at all times, so more chance to leave them behind. So, my bag of choice for this conference will be the RootsTech bag given to speakers this past February. It is a cross body style that is large enough to handle the exhibit hall goodies, and yet, stays with me at all times. I admit defeat for the NGS conference, but I'm still not convinced with the other conferences. I am so protective of my conference swag that it rarely leaves my sight, so I'm OK using the body hugging bags. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Conference packing = such serious dilemmas! JK....See y'all in a couple of days!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14700942096676683769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7891341104960753282.post-29458376914373716152014-05-02T14:23:00.000-04:002014-05-02T14:24:51.606-04:00NGS 2014: 'A' Begins with Adkinson!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVE2JpjZxWLlY0F5ML4HjybbHDfbm2t3bP9A987CQgZlEHpzRc3CKhT0ROslFcxtMRPtcgi6OV3Hg_jjA6V27FV18xAutrb_mKd7cP4JQN4xH96CCsYLHMJLm_tFkiuIBl2Jr4IAFnm6yE/s1600/Patent.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVE2JpjZxWLlY0F5ML4HjybbHDfbm2t3bP9A987CQgZlEHpzRc3CKhT0ROslFcxtMRPtcgi6OV3Hg_jjA6V27FV18xAutrb_mKd7cP4JQN4xH96CCsYLHMJLm_tFkiuIBl2Jr4IAFnm6yE/s1600/Patent.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
As we all pack the bags, gather the chargers, plan our schedules, and play with the App, I was reminded of a Not-To-Miss session for those with Kentucky roots. When downloading the updates and exploring the conference app, I clicked on "Speakers", and right there at the top of the 'A' section was Kandie Adkinson. The title of her session on Friday at 11AM is (Room GRCC B15B): <i><b>Kentucky Land Patents: Mind Bogglers or Treasures?</b></i> For me, I usually lean toward "Bogglers", even though I know they are "Treasures". Over the past couple of years, I have heard Kandie speak about the Kentucky Land Patent system, and without her years of knowledge, none of us would be able to grasp the complex beauty of these records. She has a wonderful way of incorporating the historical context to help you understand the purpose and process behind these eye-crossers.<br />
<br />
If you have ANY Kentucky pioneers or early settlers, you simply cannot miss this session. With over 35 years of experience working for the <b><a href="http://www.sos.ky.gov/admin/land/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Kentucky Secretary of State Land Office</a></b>, this woman is an absolute treasure unto herself! Oh, and after you've attended, buy the CD! Seriously, this will be an hour of unadulterated wisdom that you will want to refer to over and over again. Besides the legalities and access issues surrounding the Patent system, she will also be covering the digitization of these records. Many are available for free on their website, but she will give you an update on where they are in the process, and how to read and use them in your research. Don't get cocky just because you found your ancestor in the land records on their site - the true test is understanding what you found!<br />
<br />
This is your opportunity to get some real meat in the genealogy education department - don't miss it!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14700942096676683769noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7891341104960753282.post-66783419468297163412014-04-28T18:57:00.000-04:002014-05-02T14:28:44.524-04:00Hard Diversity Questions<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQK7hgqZrbGD8MxF9U93A1omLffKRdpx-cPiHmw8nTfmSVWZ_wSnI2spmCjP9UoabOSyXIPIOLaE338nUA0n71yoDOYSVbLP-C593yOJwxwhCmehV1FEZ9_UHjSYiy7hzlJACreL-tB_PX/s1600/IMG_1462ccc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQK7hgqZrbGD8MxF9U93A1omLffKRdpx-cPiHmw8nTfmSVWZ_wSnI2spmCjP9UoabOSyXIPIOLaE338nUA0n71yoDOYSVbLP-C593yOJwxwhCmehV1FEZ9_UHjSYiy7hzlJACreL-tB_PX/s1600/IMG_1462ccc.jpg" height="109" width="200" /></a></div>
<i><b>Reader Warning</b>: The following post may contain controversial thought processes. I am merely human, and trying to work through my own mental baggage when it comes to diversity in genealogy. After a little research, I am still not certain how to continue this topic appropriately: African American Research, People of Color Research, Black History....I beg forgiveness if I offend anyone. However, dialogue is a necessary step in the path to change.</i><br />
<br />
In the past, I have written about serendipity in genealogy, and for some reason, the past few weeks have bombarded me with serendipitous moments. I would almost call it an onslaught. When one specific issue keeps coming at me without my seeking it out, I pay close attention.<br />
<br />
I have always been a little fascinated by African American history. Not to the point of digging much on my own, but if a story or article presented itself, I read it....I cannot explain the draw, but it's been there. Growing up in Ohio, with family from both sides of the river, I had one foot in the north, and one in the south. As a researcher, I have not found slave owners in my family, but that is only a matter of generational reach. For those ancestors in the south without slaves, they were simply too poor to own any. When the Civil War came about, they took up arms to readily fight for the Confederacy. I am certain it is only a matter of time before I encounter enslaved individuals in my family. My point here, is that I have not had a personal family draw to this issue...the personal connection lies in the troubling existence of racism in my family on subtle, insidious levels. As with many northern families who smugly think they are not affected by racism, cue bubble and pin. Pop!<br />
<br />
There is much more to that personal connection, but I'll leave all of that for another time. Today I just want to speak to the issue of AA, POC, BH research in the genealogy field. Let me outline some of the serendipitous moments that have hit me upside the head lately:<br />
<br />
1. At the end of March, genealogist Valerie Hughes posted a couple of blog posts about the importance of adding <a href="http://genealogywithvalerie.wordpress.com/2014/03/30/the-importance-of-sharing-the-slave-history-from-your-family-trees/" target="_blank"><b>slave records to your family trees</b></a>. She asked a Facebook audience if this was something people should do...and the response was overwhelmingly positive.<br />
<br />
2. Even though I did not have this in my own family to report (yet), I had come <a href="http://cnnphotos.blogs.cnn.com/2014/04/27/dwindling-witnesses-of-the-holocaust/?hpt=hp_c3" target="_blank"><b>across many entries</b></a> over the years regarding folks of slave descent - in various documents at the Kentucky Historical Society. Every time I encountered one, I always had a moment of excitement, seeing another name, another identity....followed by despair, because I had no earthly clue what to do with this information....and I usually just put the film away. Sigh....this happens more often than I would like to admit.<br />
<br />
3. I watched a movie about Holocaust survivors who had lost touch after the War because they thought each other dead. Decades later, when one of them witnessed proof that the other was still alive, she called the Red Cross who accessed his "case file" to see if they should re-open it in the hopes of connecting them back to their family. I was saddened the U.S. had never made this type of effort at the end of slavery, to assist with family members connecting back to each other.<br />
<br />
4. Number 2 made me think about Valerie's encouragement, and I began entertaining thoughts about slave mapping. Was it possible to record the name of every slave mentioned in a county's document collection? I was thinking on a county-wide level as a start. Pull every will, record the names mentioned. Pull every court doc, record the names, etc. While I was pretty sure it was possible, what about the white owners? If we recorded every slave named in wills and court docs, would that help with anything? Since white names were also duplicated in counties, wouldn't we need to map the white owners, make profiles of them and then link the recorded names to these profiles? And what if it was due to an estate dispersal? If the slaves were transported across county or state lines, did that remove the trace? My eyes were crossing already.<br />
<br />
5. A co-worker had left a book on my desk as a review copy for <a href="http://kentuckyancestors.org/" target="_blank"><b>Kentucky Ancestors</b></a>...it was a compiled list of slaves mentioned in Kenton County, taken from the court records. OK, proof it is possible, sitting on my desk. Freaky! (I have been aware of other transcription collections produced over the decades, but a fairly comprehensive one plopped on my desk at that moment...caught my attention.)<br />
<br />
5. After talking with said co-worker about my latest thoughts, we entertained Valerie's "tree" concept. Despite the complex emotions on both sides, should we as genealogists be pushing the family tree software designers to add a new relationship related to slavery? As we got excited, claiming we were going to change the genealogy world, our boss came in with some reason....how would you categorize this type of "relationship"? Ownership, slave of, enslaved by? Sigh....good point...so, now what? We both decided that just a "note" in the family tree was not enough. We need something more significant...more quantifiable. Still have no solution - ideas?<br />
<br />
6. Just in from mowing the lawn Sunday and passing the time while my Dad looked at my heating/cooling system (on the blink again), I picked up the iPad and clicked on Twitter. At that moment, <a href="http://www.mytrueroots.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><b>True Lewis</b></a> had posted a link about an ongoing podcast/live call-in show from <a href="http://aagsaryougotroots.wordpress.com/" target="_blank"><b>AAGSAR (African American Genealogy and Slave Ancestry Research)</b></a>. I re-tweeted it and then tuned in...wow, amazing issues being brought forth about how the genealogy profession treats AA records and research. Also, how engaged are we? How do we actively help families re-connect? As a field, are we diverse? Conclusion, not really, and change is long overdue.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>So....what does all of this mean, and what are the next steps?</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Questions I have for myself AND the genealogy community:</b></div>
<br />
1. As genealogists, what can we do to help? Even though we all seem to have tons of projects on our plate, I don't believe this is a project issue, but rather a support issue. What changes do we need to make in mindset and attitude to effect lasting change and inclusion across the board?<br />
<br />
2. A push for more diversity in the genealogy field is about to take place from the AAGSAR crowd, particularly in the national conference arena. How do we support this? What can we do to make sure this issue comes to the forefront of dialogue?<br />
<br />
3. Is some of the diversity vacuum in our field a result of terrible, yet comfortable racist habits, or are they amplified by the silo nature of genealogical research? When we host AA speakers for our genealogy programs, they are more attended by the AA community, and much less attended by our white members....However, this is also true of specific ethnic research. We hosted a speaker with heavy Swedish roots and the numbers were VERY low because many dismissed this as a session that did not apply to their research. It is a natural excuse to not attend one session if you do not feel it will cover your area of research - even though MOST have reported that every session teaches them some methodology that has proven helpful in their own journey. NOT making any excuses, but how to we dig deep into the motivation behind behaviors?<br />
<br />
4. As an area of research, I have encountered several labels for African American research...as I mentioned in the intro warning...is there a preferred term I should be using when talking about this branch of research? Looking for all of them in Twitter is enlightening. Would a unified consistency help in this area... not only for discussion but for written works and websites, etc?<br />
<br />
5. The goal of AAGSAR is to encourage more sharing of AA stories and research. I love the concept that lurkers are not welcome - you have to PARTICIPATE in order to belong. They ask members to create a social media account of some kind for the express purpose of sharing their research and family stories - hopefully blogs. As mentioned on the podcast, how to we include, encourage, and promote these blogs throughout the community?<br />
<br />
6. OK, recording names of those enslaved....I have seen <a href="http://unknownnolonger.vahistorical.org/related-resources" target="_blank"><b>several attempts</b></a> from various state or regional organizations. All are wonderful databases. But....if we simply record names without enough context, without the family connections (both white and black) are we keeping the chains of bondage in place? Are we locking the information away? Here's what I mean...how does a researcher access their family roots? Without the traditional paper trail that white families are privileged to have access to, how would slave descendants find their family? Do they go back to the 1870 census, find a location and then try to mine the local records for more clues? Death record clues of birth and parentage? I always teach my session attendees to include the local history in your research to put your family history into context. If slave descendants are not allowed to place their ancestor in family/local context, is it almost a blind, disconnected search? If we pushed for more family context in the family tree software, would it help more families connect to each other? Would that lead to more information, and additional links in the family chain?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi14OjzYraUDaFbmwyV9L_rYBq9rK0NytREK_19zE5p6EE_sfgHopL45VrZcGlMpriLRLmpuLz1hRNWoi0qHjz-X209jjOHD4pdf740CMTM0FDVKtoUzkSw7dbUoeDdaulu3qgIpZqnQPkU/s1600/aaggky-logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi14OjzYraUDaFbmwyV9L_rYBq9rK0NytREK_19zE5p6EE_sfgHopL45VrZcGlMpriLRLmpuLz1hRNWoi0qHjz-X209jjOHD4pdf740CMTM0FDVKtoUzkSw7dbUoeDdaulu3qgIpZqnQPkU/s1600/aaggky-logo.jpg" height="106" width="200" /></a></div>
7. A few years ago, the <a href="http://www.aaggky.org/" target="_blank"><b>African American Genealogy Group of Kentucky</b></a> got started. The first statewide AA genealogy group in Kentucky. That too was a serendipitous moment. I had gotten up early on a Saturday morning (I don't get up early on my days off EVER if I can help it.) after reading about a lost AA community that was being resurrected in my county by <a href="http://journeyspast.blogspot.com/2011/02/stonetown-haven-new-beginning.html" target="_blank"><b>Shirl Marks</b></a>. I had stumbled upon it in the paper the evening before while out to dinner with the parents. My Dad had picked up the local paper, which he NEVER does. I read the notice about the talk at the local library, and went because it sounded fascinating. The following program was the second meeting of AAGGKY. I met people there that day that I have remained involved with and admire greatly! A few have even become good friends. That day as I volunteered to help them with start-up activities (web site, blog, etc) their President Sharyn Mitchell looked at me and thanked me for my help, and then said "Are you going to be there for us?" For a minute I was confused....I had just volunteered to help....but I quickly understood. Was I there to pay lip service, or was I going to come through with my promises of help? I think that is a question we can ask ourselves. Are we going to pay lip service, or are we ready to change things? I would love to see new chains of friendship and family forged to overcome the ugly chains forged in our history.<br />
<br />
<b>One last note about timing and relationships:</b> In Summer 2012, <a href="http://www.buildinghistories.org/" target="_blank"><b>Pam Brinegar</b></a> wrote an amazing article for the NGS Magazine.<span style="font-size: xx-small;">1</span> It was about a female slave owner in Lexington who had made provisions for her slaves to not only be freed upon her death, but to inherit her entire farm as a means of allowing them to build a community and financial security in the 1850s. At the time this article was published, the KHS library was actively researching a <a href="http://www.kyhistory.com/cdm/search/searchterm/Kentucky%20Historical%20Society,%20Watson%20and%20Robinson%20families%20letters,%20SC%201261/mode/exact" target="_blank"><b>new acquisition of letters</b></a> written by enslaved and free African Americans during the 1840s ans 50s. The family connections ran from Lexington, through Hopkinsville, to Mississippi. We had just obtained the letters the month before...and as I read Pam's account, I caught a Hopkinsville connection to the woman in the article. It turns out, that <a href="http://www.kyhistory.com/cdm/compoundobject/collection/MS/id/3997/rec/10" target="_blank"><b>one of the letters</b></a> in our collection, addressed to his family in Hopkinsville, was written by a former slave announcing his newly obtained freedom in Lexington after the death of his owner. That owner was the woman Pam had been researching. Through Pam's research, we were able to pinpoint the women in Ferdinand's lineage and even found him in a Fayette County court document listed as a toddler years earlier. Talk about serendipity, or something greater....Not only was he declaring his freedom, but the research proved that despite the ugliness of slavery, we are all family. In many cases, by blood, and in others simply by sharing nationality and history. The more we learn about how we are connected, the more we can build strong family ties. Which means, the responsibility lies with all of us to make this change happen.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.kyhistory.com/cdm/compoundobject/collection/MS/id/3997/rec/10" target="_blank"><b>"Dear Uncles, I am Free.."</b></a> Ferdinand Robertson [Robinson], Lexington KY, 1850<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">1. </span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Researching nineteenth-century African American women, by Pamela Lyons Brinegar, CG; NGS Magazine, Vol. 38, #3; July-September, 2012.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14700942096676683769noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7891341104960753282.post-29760700396379436682014-03-03T16:22:00.000-05:002014-03-03T16:22:47.444-05:00RootsTech Family History Fairs (Global)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiidhb7dmu3mdfXDWEkJzyWfaLEaRW5s_Y9RyyCeb5QFCfbjW0TffopEgUcdJUnOv-1T0feS7C7N65_xkHezBjNOCBk8_upYVvF_WrwQ-vGfjC-qzwnaXw74qt7sdLH7zhB2npGKcVhoRP/s1600/RootsTech+Logo3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiidhb7dmu3mdfXDWEkJzyWfaLEaRW5s_Y9RyyCeb5QFCfbjW0TffopEgUcdJUnOv-1T0feS7C7N65_xkHezBjNOCBk8_upYVvF_WrwQ-vGfjC-qzwnaXw74qt7sdLH7zhB2npGKcVhoRP/s1600/RootsTech+Logo3.jpg" height="199" width="200" /></a></div>
Alert! The RootsTech 2014 Conference lives on through global Family History Fairs coming to a corner of the planet near you! Read on for more information about the global RootsTech Family History Fairs, and a note about one coming to Kentucky THIS Weekend!<br />
<br />
First: This Saturday, March 8th, a RootsTech Family History Fair will be happening in central Kentucky, at the Kentucky Historical Society. For more information, <a href="http://kentuckyancestors.org/ai1ec_event/rootstech-family-history-fair-second-saturday/?instance_id=487" target="_blank">check out the event link on kentuckyancestors.org</a>.<br />
<br />
Second: So how many of you KNOW what the RootsTech Family History Fairs are all about?<br />
Let me fill you in...<br />
<br />
During FGS 2013, the RootsTech folks announced an open invitation for societies to sign up their venues to host a RootsTech Family History Fair in 2014. As soon as I heard the announcement, I jumped over to the booth and signed us up....without knowing many of the details.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBnTu8dfjqLE48L-tlAqA5AJfqhwFYwn9cns1rvkNJGiqUCNZ8eJjqIdkTESRiyHEdlKiteHYCtcHa7rtdILjUAt9y4gWFqUFTwy46TCYOioCC6TeDwpkltNXNQR96G_QjUHLg4osWTqJg/s1600/Banner3C.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBnTu8dfjqLE48L-tlAqA5AJfqhwFYwn9cns1rvkNJGiqUCNZ8eJjqIdkTESRiyHEdlKiteHYCtcHa7rtdILjUAt9y4gWFqUFTwy46TCYOioCC6TeDwpkltNXNQR96G_QjUHLg4osWTqJg/s1600/Banner3C.jpg" height="320" width="199" /></a></div>
Since then, I have learned a bit more - some that might surprise you - and some that might not.....<br />
<br />
The RootsTech organizers were shooting for a global number of Family History Fairs in the neighborhood of 600. Did they make that goal? (apparently, they conducted a small satellite program in 2013 to gear up for 2014) Pretty close from what I've heard, but here's why you haven't heard much about this....<br />
<br />
After the FGS announcement, the publicity, or solicitation for societies to sign up, faded among the mainstream channels. As a result, apparently, only 10 general societies, or non-LDS organizations signed up. Why? Because the remaining solicitation push retreated to LDS organizations. As a result, you still might not hear too much about the Family History Fairs outside of the LDS groups.<br />
<br />
As a non-LDS society that signed up, we were kept informed as information was made available. Prior to the RootsTech conference, we didn't get a lot of information....but that was not intentional. They did not have a large number of staff members planning this program. We were told that there would 43 sessions recorded and made available to the Family History Fair (FHF) societies as soon as the conference was finished. Most of the 43 sessions recorded were not going to be the same sessions used for live streaming and then later available online for indefinite viewing. The purpose of the 43 sessions was to provide a set group of sessions that would be available exclusively for the use of FHF hosting societies.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJSXjnBStAhJOAVv69A1ECQ9Rz24rKlTqq68lhh3YWlFlaZL8-nUtI3CanLAFsShOH94Wf8Q9NOXitNwRjVM7Um5nsHIQnGZ7NK2SqrRRUmKA8XdZ_oqROKfGiMf1ubzMyXTfTGzla007_/s1600/Logo+Clear.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJSXjnBStAhJOAVv69A1ECQ9Rz24rKlTqq68lhh3YWlFlaZL8-nUtI3CanLAFsShOH94Wf8Q9NOXitNwRjVM7Um5nsHIQnGZ7NK2SqrRRUmKA8XdZ_oqROKfGiMf1ubzMyXTfTGzla007_/s1600/Logo+Clear.jpg" height="218" width="400" /></a></div>
By late fall, I was already asking for more information as I began planning the KHS programming schedule for 2014. After talking with the <a href="http://www.kentuckygenealogicalsociety.org/" target="_blank">Kentucky Genealogical Society</a>, we decided this would make a great Second Saturday program (Free joint genealogy program offered every Second Saturday of the month at KHS) - with some alterations to expand the day for greater impact. That expanded schedule and joint program is what you see on the event entry.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD9zwL0XNTt_dXmt-kv1Hqa-zu8lruQvrvWMh2kngx-Qbf5G3qWhTgd1ZRHsQ_J452eoqpdbpcflyloCbEPb1NTwY32HwwqFFksEw5HIBOloKldsSwCieQ0adTvzm2NpcDLK52cgDN_v9H/s1600/RootsTech14SpeakerBadge2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD9zwL0XNTt_dXmt-kv1Hqa-zu8lruQvrvWMh2kngx-Qbf5G3qWhTgd1ZRHsQ_J452eoqpdbpcflyloCbEPb1NTwY32HwwqFFksEw5HIBOloKldsSwCieQ0adTvzm2NpcDLK52cgDN_v9H/s1600/RootsTech14SpeakerBadge2.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
Still, we really didn't get a lot of information. I was notified that my RootsTech session was one such session selected to be recorded and offered to the FHF hosting societies, which then placed me in a circle of information that was not common knowledge. Speakers who were chosen for recording were given a sneak peek at the list of sessions that would later become available, which helped us pre-plan, session-wise, a tiny bit.<br />
<br />
I asked for help in planing the event, such as media/PR packets, or guides for the event, but those never came, even after the main conference was over. Then we got a look at the full list as offered to FHF societies: only about 15 were general sessions. The rest of the recorded sessions were LDS track. SO...we dropped back and planned our event accordingly. I will have to say that the planners did get back to me very quickly regarding the video download links and creating a non-LDS space for this use. They have been very nice and accommodating - so heads up, non-LDS groups thinking about this for next year if it is offered again!<br />
<br />
Our event this Saturday in Frankfort on the 8th will contain 10 sessions. Three of which are from the live streamed, current online offerings that anyone can watch. Why are we using some of those when we have other exclusive videos available to show? Because, after a brief, informal survey, most of our attendees are not hugely familiar with RootsTech, and are not watching the available online videos. Plus, some of the videos available online are very popular subjects given by great speakers = wider appeal.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht-zaRL6TEvCZRqm-SIQjmUjOFijULMx80eu77FBBpuJrWcw9PNHC1aGGSq9WBdQ4tVZq_bp7Ntm7ukaTxaG3wDvj2a7ZI1RF6Dni2A80whnxjGCrRvT1I6DEFGsM-PeMYTjAZfvodYbWL/s1600/RegistrationC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht-zaRL6TEvCZRqm-SIQjmUjOFijULMx80eu77FBBpuJrWcw9PNHC1aGGSq9WBdQ4tVZq_bp7Ntm7ukaTxaG3wDvj2a7ZI1RF6Dni2A80whnxjGCrRvT1I6DEFGsM-PeMYTjAZfvodYbWL/s1600/RegistrationC.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
As we expanded the day's schedule, 6 of the sessions will be recorded offerings that are NOT available on the main RootsTech site, and will only be available if you attend a FHF.<br />
<br />
Here's the thing about the rest of the global offerings.....there are others slowly coming to the calendar throughout the country. I have noticed that one was offered this weekend on March 1st in Texas, and another is happening on March 8th in Virginia....although, they are both LDS History Centers. I've not heard of any general societies hosting a FHF in the near future.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg77GeyNWh9vEKKhSlWbmiWE1Q5zg0jKbWypgvvCWorVQdXvegCPoPPABtSuc39GDpHPd4s65N8fE5MIbdpFBdQPuG9DkXwck1b3BF7pygYOI36MPRmHEPVrKglm6IgIFcMsN0A_rxsaBxn/s1600/Banner1C.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg77GeyNWh9vEKKhSlWbmiWE1Q5zg0jKbWypgvvCWorVQdXvegCPoPPABtSuc39GDpHPd4s65N8fE5MIbdpFBdQPuG9DkXwck1b3BF7pygYOI36MPRmHEPVrKglm6IgIFcMsN0A_rxsaBxn/s1600/Banner1C.jpg" height="400" width="187" /></a></div>
Are we the only ones? Not sure. Will the local Kentucky LDS Centers host a FHF later? Have no idea. I do know that if you search RootsTech Family History Fair, you generally run into announcements and<a href="https://www.lds.org/topics/family-history/host-a-family-history-fair/stake-admin?lang=eng" target="_blank"> promotional instructions for the LDS "Stakes"</a>. We are no such "Stake", but we are taking full advantage of what they offered.....and we are excited about the event!<br />
<br />
If you are even remotely near Frankfort Kentucky, and you have never been to RootsTech, or were just unable to get out there this year, you should take advantage of this FREE event! The full session list is available on the event page which I linked to above.<br />
<br />
At the end of the day, I suspect this is practice for the future. I really think the 600 location goal will increase, and they will offer more and more recorded sessions each year. I'm sure this will grow to wondrous proportions someday as technology evolves and expands.....and more than likely, the number of non-LDS venues will increase accordingly....to more closely reflect the RootsTech conference attendance. The only big improvement I hope they make in the future: making the promotional material available to non-LDS events. Otherwise, I'm going homespun on this one....green balloons and color printer, here I come!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14700942096676683769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7891341104960753282.post-1017689673154418062014-03-01T20:14:00.000-05:002014-03-01T21:08:33.166-05:00A Genealogy Mix Tape: PlaylistAs conference season rolls around, we are all going to be putting in some serious flight/road time in 2014.....not to mention serious research time...why not keep ourselves motivated with some fun genealogy/family inspired music? Besides, sometimes, a genealogist just has look up from the dead people and have some silly fun! Here are some songs I've been thinking about lately that should be in the genealogist's repertoire. The next time you head to the library for research, or to the cemetery for inventory, make this playlist for your iPod and jam away while working! If you can think of additional titles we should add to the playlist - let the rest of us know in the comments below - or tweet - or post on your own blog - #genealogymixtape!<br />
<br />
1. Dance in the Graveyard by Delta Rae (You may want to grab a tissue first)<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="214" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/lPOM0IUsd_0" width="380"></iframe> <br />
<br />
2. Story of My Life by One Direction<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="214" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/W-TE_Ys4iwM" width="380"></iframe><br />
<br />
3. Memories by Within Temptation<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="214" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/bhzJO34SCoc" width="380"></iframe>
<br />
<br />
4. Somewhere by Within Temptation<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="214" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/ScjEJRIZGvg" width="380"></iframe>
<br />
<br />
5. Pushing Up Daisies by Garth Brooks (No Video)<br />
<br />
6. In My Life by The Beatles (No Video)<br />
<br />
7. I Will Find You by Clannad<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="214" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/lv6VW4tMZbE" width="380"></iframe>
<br />
<br />
8. Ancient Evenings by Glass Tiger (No Video)<br />
<br />
9. Cups - When I'm Gone by Anna Kendrick<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="214" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/cmSbXsFE3l8" width="380"></iframe>
<br />
<br />
10. Dark Side by Kelly Clarkson ( For those skeletons in the closet)<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="214" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/H5ArpRWcGe0" width="380"></iframe>
<br />
<br />
11. Georgia on My Mind by Ray Charles (For those southern ancestors)<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="285" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/IumnmhnPJKQ" width="380"></iframe><br />
<br />
12. Home by Daughtry<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="285" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/7bnX-6sJZBw" width="380"></iframe>
<br />
<br />
12. My Generation by The Who<br />
<br />
13. Papa Loved Mama by Garth Brooks (Yes, I know, another Garth, but seriously, it's a full family story in song!)<br />
<br />
14. Some Nights by Fun.<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="214" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/qQkBeOisNM0" width="380"></iframe>
<br />
15.Sweet Memory by Melody Gardot<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="214" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/QN2NmGF8MTg" width="380"></iframe>
<br />
<br />
16. Taking Over Me by Evanescence<br />
<br />
17. Through the Dark by KT Tunstall<br />
<br />
18. When Irish Eyes are Smiling by Bing Crosby<br />
<br />
19. Johnny Has Gone for a Soldier by Mark O'Connor & James Taylor<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="214" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/GgBIk7Ibmt0" width="380"></iframe>
<br />
<br />
20. Love Don't Die by The Fray<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="214" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/WptxUWvrINQ" width="380"></iframe><br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14700942096676683769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7891341104960753282.post-34398331925143395742014-02-24T22:08:00.000-05:002014-02-24T22:08:36.808-05:00RootsTech 2014: Reflections<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY6UYX7hJEyfEzU_7ZYb3nPxoSDZaLDWoVCUQw7iQVfMI9-90ML-EswzN0CPzChUid_TEebYCkILJgUxzOgxhXddnmoHHExwZ_-6HWlpI8onsQUaeJjitribhTHWxb52a3JYRobFbC8oY0/s1600/Banner1C.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY6UYX7hJEyfEzU_7ZYb3nPxoSDZaLDWoVCUQw7iQVfMI9-90ML-EswzN0CPzChUid_TEebYCkILJgUxzOgxhXddnmoHHExwZ_-6HWlpI8onsQUaeJjitribhTHWxb52a3JYRobFbC8oY0/s1600/Banner1C.jpg" height="400" width="187" /></a></div>
What a week! <a href="https://rootstech.org/" target="_blank">RootsTech</a> 2014 is now in the history books and most of us are home, processing what we learned. This was my third on-site attendance and I found it to be my favorite so far. Although, you might be surprised as to why this one was my favorite (I will outline my reasons below.) I had hoped to blog about my experiences each day as I did at FGS, but I chose to focus on my new role as a speaker at RootsTech. Since official blogging is a closed list, and not something to be joined, I gave myself a break. After all, I would rather have a polished presentation after getting plenty of sleep instead of staying up and blogging each day, contributing to my overall exhaustion. I admire those who do blog officially for RootsTech (let alone those who speak AND blog - oy vey!)....it takes a huge commitment and a ton of energy! For those who were not able to attend, the <a href="https://rootstech.org/about/syllabus-materials/" target="_blank">syllabus material</a> is still online for you to download, plus <a href="https://rootstech.org/about/videos/" target="_blank">streamed sessions</a> are available on the main site...it's not too late for you to join in the fun. At the bottom of this post, I will give you a tid-bit of news on how you can experience more RootsTech action in Central Kentucky on March 8th!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkuBzRpyE7jSWJS1v6WpuHCDOswPdbkYNnxGJuP0aLwMbvg0hwlUKShPseaeZYoBgN4AoqLbkxI6dpr2hsdHTznRXeSdjJimsdeWnDw-4tl4VpTSvyMx2xRyUk5aMCI4GRBaAJmbI5xQUE/s1600/Concourse+C.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkuBzRpyE7jSWJS1v6WpuHCDOswPdbkYNnxGJuP0aLwMbvg0hwlUKShPseaeZYoBgN4AoqLbkxI6dpr2hsdHTznRXeSdjJimsdeWnDw-4tl4VpTSvyMx2xRyUk5aMCI4GRBaAJmbI5xQUE/s1600/Concourse+C.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
My central reasons for this RootsTech being my favorite are: space and flow of the event! Kudos to the organizers for moving the conference to the larger end of the Salt Palace! I never once felt overwhelmed with the crowd. The rooms were all within an easy walk or escalator ride, and seating was adequate for most of the sessions. I found some overcrowding in the ballrooms, but not nearly as bad as in previous years. The exhibit hall was PERFECT. I hope they never change a thing. Again, no crowding, flow was great. Demo hall was fantastic: sea of comfy couches and chairs which was perfect for just relaxing when needed, plus never breaking your stride in learning! The addition of the soft drink bar and popcorn stand were also very welcome. I am not a big soft drink kinda gal, but when my energy level started dropping in between meals and sessions, a small sugary drink went a long way to help me push further. Plus, it served to take the edge off. Exhibit halls are notorious for their high energy levels.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgszgsfW7vnPvsCyhW_H8ByhEwz7XoUH-tHK8K0uCVU6D4rgrU7hCm17jiOpWsoHY3-xp407Yh4LoN1rzoO-RqNykSQCgiYpTSv6L0cCQr-bp5mPPDPLQuwpPF4gyyPRkLdE3xBet4hpxPS/s1600/Couches+2C.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgszgsfW7vnPvsCyhW_H8ByhEwz7XoUH-tHK8K0uCVU6D4rgrU7hCm17jiOpWsoHY3-xp407Yh4LoN1rzoO-RqNykSQCgiYpTSv6L0cCQr-bp5mPPDPLQuwpPF4gyyPRkLdE3xBet4hpxPS/s1600/Couches+2C.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
Session-wise, I still find RootsTech a tad disappointing, but simply from a personal standpoint. I still wish there were more advanced user classes. Although, I will confess that I did not pay to attend any of the advanced workshops - perhaps that would help, but I cringe at having to pay for more after the cost of getting to Utah in the first place! There are plenty of intro-level user classes and developer courses, but the experienced user is often overlooked at RootsTech, and, sadly, this has not changed. But again, this is a personal preference....I'm not sure about the percentage in this area. Is there a decent number of genealogists on my personal level of tech use? I know many genea-buddies who are, but I'm not sure about the number nationally. So, the sessions offered may be more in-line with the widest audience possible. This does not mean that I didn't get anything out of the sessions...on the contrary, I still got a lot of wonderful information!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbBiPxkYskgpZ5ln2rod6vR6dcplweXwxylzJeYUC1grj1ytEjYFMbj2xkkQwSvmjGejURPmjW0kLjZC7Juu3b-wz49fNr-mbLxXSW4Rw4sRnkgnO1_NAMHzL8MQn73IZa-Kv-uMG1sssQ/s1600/photo+(13).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbBiPxkYskgpZ5ln2rod6vR6dcplweXwxylzJeYUC1grj1ytEjYFMbj2xkkQwSvmjGejURPmjW0kLjZC7Juu3b-wz49fNr-mbLxXSW4Rw4sRnkgnO1_NAMHzL8MQn73IZa-Kv-uMG1sssQ/s1600/photo+(13).JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
One way RootsTech compensates for the lack of hardcore user sessions is by asking hard questions and encouraging dialogue that follows those questions. I attended more than one session that addressed serious tech issues within the genealogical community, and I valued the honesty of the speakers/panel, as well as that of the audience. Did we solve the issues that have plagued us for almost two decades? No, but dialogue is the first step in overcoming our challenges as a field.<br />
<br />
Transition was also a theme I encountered this year, which is long overdue really. Our technology is changing at a rapid rate and it was refreshing to see the genealogy technologies changing as well....still somewhat slowly...but changing nonetheless. The cloud has finally made full headway into our tech field and was well represented.<br />
<br />
I also found it amusing that one main cry among experts this year was "Read the TOS!" (Terms of Service) How many software agreements have we by-passed only to check the appropriate box that allowed the download to continue? I know I'm guilty after so many years of software changes and applications. We hastily do this out of the common assumption that only lawyers can understand it anyway - our experts would beg to differ, and reminded everyone that we have no one to blame but ourselves when it comes to tech companies over stretching their reach. One would think that this is a fairly basic message, meant for tech users from the past - but our increasing rate change dictates we pay more attention to the TOS - more now than ever!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiiP3vceLTNL-aZA07BOYWSxn-0zdF3G96ilFstqxmNQ9K3ZhE5CZmYYFIePbNjG8avfAv9gQuOeSVQBsTP-4q4NARECB2EbNHcQoBo8I2cSK37x-KJbXdhQr7UkO5lOA52_wgwRTFEAqu/s1600/Hall+C.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiiP3vceLTNL-aZA07BOYWSxn-0zdF3G96ilFstqxmNQ9K3ZhE5CZmYYFIePbNjG8avfAv9gQuOeSVQBsTP-4q4NARECB2EbNHcQoBo8I2cSK37x-KJbXdhQr7UkO5lOA52_wgwRTFEAqu/s1600/Hall+C.jpg" height="351" width="400" /></a></div>
Another issue rearing its head this year was the addition of PERSI to the FindMyPast repertoire. As a valuable resource well known to librarians, this is an interesting development. In our library, we currently subscribe to the older version of PERSI (last updated in 2009) as a part of Heritage Quest, distributed by EBSCO. The new version of PERSI is directed by the Allen County Public Library, where it originated, but will still be locked behind the subscription wall of FindMyPast. As of yet, they do not have a library subscription level to allow us access, but it is said to be in the works. I will weigh in more on this resource if that development comes to fruition.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhInXbHsYvbNh4-qK_rqiw3ymrh8SKRubxl9A4CsznhWYDOBVnm43-o09lLhQWunYwc790CnPnGiHFoO4OVeeBv45geKklGVg33MHGaTKI7ab9IXBH7sP_xuhCrDr3wAK68zhQ9HZ4keYiB/s1600/Baldwin+C.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhInXbHsYvbNh4-qK_rqiw3ymrh8SKRubxl9A4CsznhWYDOBVnm43-o09lLhQWunYwc790CnPnGiHFoO4OVeeBv45geKklGVg33MHGaTKI7ab9IXBH7sP_xuhCrDr3wAK68zhQ9HZ4keYiB/s1600/Baldwin+C.jpg" height="382" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another genea-buddy: Jen Baldwin of FindMyPast & #genchat!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I could keep this post going indefinitely with all the goodies absorbed at this year's conference, but I know you all have lives to get back to! A couple of other favorite moments: <a href="http://seen.co/event/rootstech-2014-salt-lake-city-ut-2014-1207?utm_content=bufferc1841&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer" target="_blank">Tweeting</a> and the conference app were grand this year as was the live streaming portion offered - more to choose from this year. I was so busy that I didn't get to follow ANY of the blogging, but I hope to catch up with some leisure reading over the next weeks. My Mom got to attend with me this year, and even though she only came along to hear me speak, she came away from her sessions with a smile and a favorable vote "Wow, those classes were fun! I really enjoyed them!" Big thanks to the conference organizers who provided a lovely 'Getting Started Track' for low cost - it really allows everyone on a budget to experience RootsTech! She wants to come along next year to attend the full conference and dig deeper into the library! I think we have a new convert!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih3K8nfeSUn0TfPss5N4Uq0Kp_4FhXe70Q78vdr3ecHFFFR0nO7saFjYdWB8ykOUc5VTfIxE5I6mKU0Z1qhS6_9FtnbVOoyCB2rG06It54hVj9EtckR0T1v-Iz7Sem7fu2iO1pMPz3AdLM/s1600/Pair+C.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih3K8nfeSUn0TfPss5N4Uq0Kp_4FhXe70Q78vdr3ecHFFFR0nO7saFjYdWB8ykOUc5VTfIxE5I6mKU0Z1qhS6_9FtnbVOoyCB2rG06It54hVj9EtckR0T1v-Iz7Sem7fu2iO1pMPz3AdLM/s1600/Pair+C.jpg" height="337" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mom and I just after my session on Friday!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
BTW, as a side note...speaking at RootsTech was a new experience for me, but a wonderful one! My session, about crowdsourcing events, was chosen as one of the 43 recorded sessions that will be available at the 600 Family History Fairs to be held worldwide over the next year. If you hear of a Fair in your area, keep an eye out for my session! KHS is hosting a <a href="http://kentuckyancestors.org/ai1ec_event/rootstech-family-history-fair-second-saturday/?instance_id=487" target="_blank">RootsTech Family History Fair</a> in two weeks on March 8th. I will post more about our upcoming free event in the next few days!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14700942096676683769noreply@blogger.com0