I loved the first episode of the American "Who Do You Think You Are?" showing how Sarah Jessica Parker discovered her family's connection to America's past.
The show differed from "Faces of America" on PBS in that it showed the actual research, and SJP was involved in the process from beginning to end, even sharing the discoveries with her mother. Having her visit the NEGHS was great, and watching her pour over the records about her Salem witch ancestor was priceless. Makes me want to dig into my Salem ancestors, one of whom I know was an accuser, to see what information remains to be uncovered.
I could relate to the story about the Gold Rush disappearance, as one of my ancestors went west and didn't come back. In fact, he was in El Dorado County, CA just like her ancestor. How neat it must have been to be able to walk where her ancestor mined all those years ago.
Will the non-genealogists be into the show? I don't know. My wife seemed interested, but then she knows how crazy I am about the subject. We also enjoyed "Faces of America" together.
My only concern with the show is that folks who aren't into genealogy will think that only the 'celebrities' have interesting genealogy. Everyone's story deserves to be told, and whether recent or long-time ago immigrant the stories should be explored.
Anything that can get others interested in genealogy and at the same time show them that not everything is on the internet is a good thing.
Friday, March 05, 2010
Family Milestones: March 5th
My maternal 5th-great grandaunt, Martha WARDLAW, married on this date in 1816 to Benjamin KIMBALL, as her second husband. Martha was born October 19, 1776 in Augusta County, Virginia, the daughter of Robert and Janet (DOWNEY) WARDLAW, and the younger sister of my Samuel WARDLAW. Benjamin was born in Hopkinton, New Hampshire. They had 1 son. Martha died February 3, 1855 in Brown County, Ohio.
My maternal great-granduncle, Chester Arthur "Mike" WRIGHT, married on this date in 1920 in Madison County, Indiana to Erma Violet HAYES. Mike was born October 18, 1896 in Orestes, Madison County, Indiana, the son of John William and Ellen (KING) WRIGHT, the younger brother of my Virgil Lee WRIGHT. Erma was born May 9, 1902 near Frankton, Madison County, Indiana, the daughter of John and Cora (REASON) HAYES. They had 1 daughter, and later divorced. Erma died November 1, 1949 in Elwood, Madison County, Indiana. Mike died June 20, 1955 in Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio. He is buried in the Park View Cemetery, Alexandria, Madison County, Indiana.
My maternal great-granduncle, Chester Arthur "Mike" WRIGHT, married on this date in 1920 in Madison County, Indiana to Erma Violet HAYES. Mike was born October 18, 1896 in Orestes, Madison County, Indiana, the son of John William and Ellen (KING) WRIGHT, the younger brother of my Virgil Lee WRIGHT. Erma was born May 9, 1902 near Frankton, Madison County, Indiana, the daughter of John and Cora (REASON) HAYES. They had 1 daughter, and later divorced. Erma died November 1, 1949 in Elwood, Madison County, Indiana. Mike died June 20, 1955 in Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio. He is buried in the Park View Cemetery, Alexandria, Madison County, Indiana.
Thursday, March 04, 2010
Family Milestones: March 4th
My paternal 2nd-great grandaunt, Mary A. METZNER, married on this date in 1888 in Jay County, Indiana to Harvey A. HUEY. Mary was born March 24, 1862 in Jay County, Indiana, the daughter of John and Catherine (YOUNG) METZNER, and the younger sister of my John Adam METZNER. Harvey was born December 1866 in Indiana. Harvey was a Baptist minister, and they lived in Fond Du Lac County, Wisconsin, Noble County, Indiana and Genesee County, Michigan. Harvey died in 1947. Mary died in 1925. Both are buried in the Mt. Zion Cemetery, Noble Township, Jay County, Indiana.
My maternal 2nd-great grandfather, William Francis PIERCE, married on this date in 1909 in Madison County, Indiana to Vida MADDOX, his second wife. William was born July 10, 1865 in Frankton, Madison County, Indiana the son of Edmund G. and Catherine (GROENENDYKE) PIERCE. Vida was born October 6, 1886 in Owingsville, Bath County, Kentucky, the daughter of Charles W. and Sarah (POWELL) MADDOX. They raised 7 children in Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana. Vida died November 19, 1968 in Alexandria, Madison County, Indiana. William died September 21, 1950 in Alexandria, Madison County, Indiana. Both are buried in the Maplewood Cemetery, Anderson, Madison County, Indiana.
My paternal great granduncle, Andrew Frank HALEY, was born on this date in 1864 in Ashland County, Ohio. Andrew was the son of George Washington and Mary Jane (SHERRICK) HALEY, and the older brother of my Eli Weldon HALEY. Andrew married November 3, 1887 in Jay County, Indiana to Emma C. LEONHARD. Emma was born February 8, 1865 in Noble Township, Jay County, Indiana, the daughter of John P. and Christina (________) LEONHARD. They had 2 children and resided in Noble Township, Jay County, Indiana. I do not have their dates of death.
My maternal 5th-great granduncle, Ephraim JACOBS, was born on this date in 1802 in Fleming County, Kentucky. Ephraim was the son of William and Sibell (LITTELL) JACOBS, and the younger brother of my James Thomas JACOBS. Ephraim married October 7, 1824 in Brown County, Ohio to Elizabeth REEVES. I do not have dates of birth or death for Elizabeth. Ephraim died September 20, 1888 in Adams County, Ohio.
My paternal 3rd-great grandaunt, Harriet N. MOULTON, was born on this date in 1827 in Rutland County, Vermont. Harriett was the daughter of Selah and Lydia (FENNEL) MOULTON, and the younger sister of my Albert MOULTON. Nothing further is known at this time.
My maternal 2nd-great grandfather, William Francis PIERCE, married on this date in 1909 in Madison County, Indiana to Vida MADDOX, his second wife. William was born July 10, 1865 in Frankton, Madison County, Indiana the son of Edmund G. and Catherine (GROENENDYKE) PIERCE. Vida was born October 6, 1886 in Owingsville, Bath County, Kentucky, the daughter of Charles W. and Sarah (POWELL) MADDOX. They raised 7 children in Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana. Vida died November 19, 1968 in Alexandria, Madison County, Indiana. William died September 21, 1950 in Alexandria, Madison County, Indiana. Both are buried in the Maplewood Cemetery, Anderson, Madison County, Indiana.
My paternal great granduncle, Andrew Frank HALEY, was born on this date in 1864 in Ashland County, Ohio. Andrew was the son of George Washington and Mary Jane (SHERRICK) HALEY, and the older brother of my Eli Weldon HALEY. Andrew married November 3, 1887 in Jay County, Indiana to Emma C. LEONHARD. Emma was born February 8, 1865 in Noble Township, Jay County, Indiana, the daughter of John P. and Christina (________) LEONHARD. They had 2 children and resided in Noble Township, Jay County, Indiana. I do not have their dates of death.
My maternal 5th-great granduncle, Ephraim JACOBS, was born on this date in 1802 in Fleming County, Kentucky. Ephraim was the son of William and Sibell (LITTELL) JACOBS, and the younger brother of my James Thomas JACOBS. Ephraim married October 7, 1824 in Brown County, Ohio to Elizabeth REEVES. I do not have dates of birth or death for Elizabeth. Ephraim died September 20, 1888 in Adams County, Ohio.
My paternal 3rd-great grandaunt, Harriet N. MOULTON, was born on this date in 1827 in Rutland County, Vermont. Harriett was the daughter of Selah and Lydia (FENNEL) MOULTON, and the younger sister of my Albert MOULTON. Nothing further is known at this time.
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