Bloodlines Though I knew not the uncles who slept in gold dust I've been told whom they hated and whom they could trust. I read which ones fiddled, who sang and who danced; I hear they worked hard—wonder if they romanced. I've met not the aunts, the women of kind but can guess of their hopes and … [Read more...]
Lord Love a Duck!
Lord Love A Duck! There once were three brothers, from England did flee, Sailed on the St. John in good company. Our line comes off George—ten progeny past— Begetting the Chatfields from which I am cast. They're an interesting bunch, left their mark in the world With a wide path to follow, a … [Read more...]
Census Guide
Explanation of Census Records The United States government has conducted a census of each state and territory every ten years since 1790 and, in some places, other years, for the purpose of apportioning representatives to the lower house of Congress. To protect the privacy of the … [Read more...]
Early Photography
Tintypes, Cartes de Visite (CdV), Cabinet Cards TINTYPE The advantages of the tintype were threefold: it created an unbreakable, durable, photographic image supported on an iron plate, which could be carried into hazardous conditions such as battle without breaking like the fragile daguerreotype; … [Read more...]
Lineages
(Listen to Audio) I am. I am from Leinen and Nigon, from Chamberlin and Hoy. I am from Clemens and Chatfield, from Surdam, Sumner, Smith, Shade, Mastick, and Tomlinson too. From Matthew, Isaac, Finley, and Charles. From Barbara, Eliza, Emily, and Nellie. I am from soldiers who fought for the Union … [Read more...]
Emily and Those Hoy Boys
As rivers cut canyons through Rockies to bays, the Hoys traveled westward in pioneer days. They fought for the Union (Frank, wounded in battle), then homesteaded Brown's Hole where they branded their cattle. They were ranchers and farmers and bull-whackers of yore, horse breeders, schoolteachers, … [Read more...]
Bloodlines (original version)
This tale is a history, a fable, a prayer; of those gone before me, now gathered with care. Can’t start in the middle—too confusing, not clear, can’t start at the end—will be over I fear. So I’ll start from the first as far back as I can and nudge you along ’til you’ve met the whole clan. When you … [Read more...]
Teller of Tales
Teller of Tales This tale is a history, a fable, a prayer of those gone before me, now gathered with care. The diaries and pictures and letters enclosed deciphered my kin and what they supposed. Those who are living—their stories intact, Those gone before us—who knows what was fact? I met … [Read more...]