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grandfather about his mother having a picture over her bed of general bragg, her father. this started about 1959 or so. I knew all my grandparents (one grandmother died in 2000 at 90)and I also knew three of my great-grandparents. By the time Mother got through, we were all in the UDC and qualified for colonial dames and DAR (I guess yankees got all our money and we haven't had any since!). My gm's family was part of the stephen f austin old 300 who settled Texas. My gm was a past President of the Texas Division of the UDC, just because of a story grandpa bob told one Thanksgiving.
I think Mother said start with family bibles and death certificates. This will take untold amounts of time and effort. Our vacation memories from 1959 on are mostly of tombstones in Texas, Louisiana, North Carolina and Mobile, Alabama. And, of course, like most of us, I just have to say I am an American because by now there are just too many hyphens to think about!
We did not even get to my gf, who was the first one born here in 1904 from swedish immigrants. I was the one who accidentally found a bjorkland on the ships roster of the titanic. Even the relatives in sweden did not know about him. Poor young man may have been coming here to meet with my great-gp's for all we know.
When I think how interesting history could have been in school! I was so bored and in fact, it is fascinating, especially if you find any tidbit details about the actual people and what their lives were like. They were so constricted by peers and the times; just think, that old aunt everybody bragged on her cooking could today be a world renown chef. There was a PBS story about some black women in the south known for their quilting skills and the patterns they made up. Who knows how many today could have been famous artists? I see a lot of talent going to waste on walls of graffiti and overpasses. Some of these kids are remarkable, or could be. good luck with your tree chasing. |
mother started with a story from her - good luck to you
