Category Archives: Family history

I’m currently reading American Home Life, 1880-1930 : A Social History of Spaces and Services edited by Jessica H. Foy and Thomas J. Schlereth.  The book came out of a conference on “home history” – the formal historical study of the home. The first chapter was a fascinating look at the parlor in American homes.ContinueContinue reading “Oh Won’t You Enjoy Tea in My Parlor This Afternoon?”

Remember how I started out with “Canadian History for Dummies” as a point of reference? OK, I have now graduated to the kind of reading I need for specifics, a detailed history of the industry and economics of the Ottawa River Valley in the nineteenth century where my fourth great grandfather Simon lived. His townContinueContinue reading “Lumbermen Vs. Timbermen”

Did I mention I have an ancestor who served in the Revolutionary War? Yeah, you can look him up in the military records of the National Archives and Records Administration: Nicholas Schryer, Yates Militia, 14th Regiment out of Albany, New York. This is definitely cool genealogically speaking, and it’s not about the Revolutionary War orContinueContinue reading “Vermont?!?!?!”

The above is a common reference to a good attitude toward genealogical study. Take no pride, no shame, no credit and no blame for the actions, accomplishments and ways of life of your ancestors. They’re them, you’re you. But you don’t really want to speak ill of the dead, either. So what do you doContinueContinue reading “No Pride, No Shame, No Credit, No Blame”

I think it’s a good thing when someone tells you that they’re better than you are. I appreciate the time it saves me. That way, I don’t have to spend any of my pretty little time thinking about it or wondering – am I? or am I not? See, there’s something about genealogy that youContinueContinue reading “Apparently NOT”

OK, I now know a lot more about Canada during the eighteenth century than I ever thought I would. The first chapter of my family history is in danger of becoming a treatise on the Seven Years War – a bad treatise as I don’t really “get” military history. Some cool facts include that myContinueContinue reading “Eh?”