As the nation entered 1861, South Carolina had adjourned its Convention and issued its Declaration (17 Dec 1860 - 20 Dec 1860, Declaration issued on 20 Dec 1860 and adopted on the 24th) and several more Southern states had determined to have a Convention to discuss secession (though the assumption in most cases was that … Continue reading Florida’s Secession from the Union and What That Teaches Us About the War – Part 2
Florida’s Secession from the Union and What That Teaches Us About the War – Part 1
Before I get to Florida’s Convention and Declaration, I want to share my framework for this discussion. For me, the War for Southern Independence (aka Civil War, War Between the States) was a seminal event for our ancestors. It was the second major test of our democratic skills as a nation (the first was the … Continue reading Florida’s Secession from the Union and What That Teaches Us About the War – Part 1
Those Pesky, Elusive Females in Your Ancestry
I personally can’t think of a pastime, hobby or career choice that would be more rewarding than genealogy but as a long-time family historian, and a Southerner inclined to a bit of nitpicking, I do have my complaints. If I could wave a magic wand, I would install good record-keeping, all the way back to … Continue reading Those Pesky, Elusive Females in Your Ancestry
Yesterday and Today Along Jackson’s 1818 Route Across the Panhandle
It is hard to believe this is the last day of 2018. In some ways, it went by too fast, and in others, it truly crept. But it will officially be gone in another few hours. I do hope everyone has had a safe and wonderful holiday celebrating with family and friends. I’ve been busy … Continue reading Yesterday and Today Along Jackson’s 1818 Route Across the Panhandle
Putting Detail to Your Ancestor’s Service in the Civil War
I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season of peace, joy, family, giving and eating. We celebrate Christmas in our household and it was full of talking, laughing, eating and playing. My Mom is helping me plan and design a memorial, quilted wall-hanging for my 7 direct ancestors and I will add one of my … Continue reading Putting Detail to Your Ancestor’s Service in the Civil War
Wrapping Up the Year – Genealogy Tips
Over the past couple of months, I have tried to share some basic tips and information on approaching and succeeding with your family history efforts. We have started from the beginning; talked about the importance of planning; how to deal with the inevitable files both paper and digital; best first steps; explored some of the … Continue reading Wrapping Up the Year – Genealogy Tips
Miles Jerome King and Dorothy Marie Rice King: Military Lives Well Spent
The end of the year with its holidays focused on family and gratitude always bring me back to thinking about my ancestors and their lives and being grateful that I’ve had the time and funds to research and explore their lives for the last thirty plus years. One ancestor who I heard a lot about … Continue reading Miles Jerome King and Dorothy Marie Rice King: Military Lives Well Spent
“Family” Research – Genealogy Tips – Ancestors & Their Families
I am always surprised at the number of times I search for an ancestor on Ancestry.com and see entry after entry for a person of the same name and when you click on one of the family trees and look at the family, the person appears to be an only child, at least from that … Continue reading “Family” Research – Genealogy Tips – Ancestors & Their Families
Florida and the 19th Century “Panics”: 1837, 1857, 1873 and 1893, Part 2
This post follows Part 1 on the 19th Century financial panics and their impact on Florida. The first two, The Panic of 1837 and the Panic of 1857 were both covered here. We turn now to 1873. Reconstruction was still in force in the South and would be until close to the end of this … Continue reading Florida and the 19th Century “Panics”: 1837, 1857, 1873 and 1893, Part 2
Tricks of the Trade – Genealogy Tips – Timelines
If you’ve been doing family history for a while, you have at least one, and likely several, brick walls. Those lines that just seem to slam the wall and make you wonder if they were born under rocks. And if you’ve followed my blogs, both history and genealogy, you’ve probably noticed I’ve said several times … Continue reading Tricks of the Trade – Genealogy Tips – Timelines
