Google Earth, once primarily a tool for exploring our planet's landscapes, has evolved into an invaluable resource for genealogists. By overlaying historical maps, aerial imagery, and street view onto the present-day landscape, Google Earth allows us to virtually step back in time and visualize our ancestors' lives.  In the example shown in the image to the left, I have used Google Earth to overlay a plat map of my two-times-great-grandfather’s homestead along with a 1904 topographical map showing an existing road at that time, as well as a modern gazetteer map to help me pinpoint modern day roads and features (like the powerline running through what was his homestead).  This allowed me to pinpoint the homestead’s location when I visited the area.  But that’s not all you can do!

 

By harnessing the power of Google Earth, genealogists can embark on a journey of discovery, bringing their ancestors' stories to life in a way that was never before possible. So, grab your virtual compass and start exploring the past!

The meeting will take place at 2 pm at the First Presbyterian Church in Ironton at the corner of Reynold and Knob streets.  Prior to the meeting, John Abney will present his program to mark the upcoming 100th anniversary of the devastating Tri-State Tornado. Even though this event occurred nearly 100 years ago, this tornado still holds several records.  The tornado claimed 695 lives making it the single deadliest tornado in U.S. history.  It also holds the records for the longest duration and distance, lasting some 3 ½ hours and carving a path of destruction 219 miles in length.  It was also the fastest moving tornado ever recorded with an average forward speed of 62mph and 73 mph at its fastest along its path between the Illinois towns of Gorham and Murphysboro.  Finally, it was the most destructive, destroying 15,000 homes.  Whole towns were virtually wiped from the map.  Countless businesses and livelihoods were destroyed and the lives of the survivors of this terrible storm were affected, in some cases, forever. 

 

John’s program will tell the story of this deadly storm, but beyond that story, it will also put the storm within its historical context.  Weather forecasting and even the knowledge of weather itself was much different in 1925 than it is today.  He will examine that history and explain why there was little to no warning about this tragic storm.  His program will look at the storm itself and explain the circumstances that came together in deadly unison to make it a perfect storm of destruction.  Beyond the science, facts and figures, John’s program will also put a personal perspective on the tornado’s impact by sharing some of the stories of those that were there.  Finally, his program will also look at the aftermath of the storm, the multiple relief efforts that began almost immediately and the resilience of many of the communities impacted by the storm.

 

How many more years will it be before students won’t be able to read the Declaration of Independence because it is written in cursive writing?  Over the past several years, the teaching of cursive writing in our schools has come under serious threat.  In this digital age, those in charge of determining the curricula being taught to students have increasingly shied away from including the teaching of writing and reading cursive.  Some say that students’ time would be better spent in learning keyboarding or coding.  Yet, as the debate continues, more and more states are mandating the teaching of cursive writing in their public schools.  As of this writing, 24 states have now mandated the teaching of cursive writing in their public schools (Missouri is not one of them). 

As handwriting and being able to read it is a crucial element for genealogical research, the decline in the teaching of cursive writing poses a significant challenge for future genealogists seeking to decipher historical documents and uncover their ancestors' stories.

 

Handwriting is a unique identifier that can provide valuable clues about a person's identity, time period, and even personality. In genealogy, cursive can be especially helpful for:

While handwriting can be a valuable tool for genealogists, it can also be challenging to decipher, especially for those unfamiliar with older styles or regional variations. Some of the common challenges include:

To ensure that future generations can benefit from the insights provided by handwritten documents, it's essential to preserve cursive writing. Here are some steps that can be taken:

As the digital age continues to evolve, it's important to remember the value of handwritten documents in genealogical research. By preserving cursive writing and developing the skills to decipher it, we can ensure that the stories of our ancestors continue to be told for generations to come.

 

 

By studying the lives of grass widows, we can challenge the stereotypes and assumptions that have often been associated with this term. Grass widows were not simply passive victims of circumstance; they were resourceful, resilient women who played vital roles in their communities and families. Genealogy research can help us to uncover the hidden stories of these remarkable women and to appreciate the challenges and triumphs they faced.

Have you ever felt a deep-rooted connection to your ancestors? If so, RootsTech is the ultimate destination for family history enthusiasts. This annual conference, hosted by FamilySearch, is a global gathering of genealogy experts, researchers, and curious individuals alike.  Attendees can attend in person (for a fee) in Salt Lake City, Utah, or on-line from anywhere (for FREE – yes, FREE!)

 

RootsTech is more than just an annual conference; it's a celebration of family history. With a mix of keynote speakers, workshops, exhibits, and networking opportunities, attendees can discover new tools, techniques, and resources to help them unravel their family's story.

 

Whether you're a seasoned genealogist or just starting your family history journey, RootsTech offers something for everyone. It's a chance to delve deeper into your past, connect with your ancestors, and discover the fascinating stories that shape who you are today.

 Early bird registration for RootsTech 2025 begins on September 25, 2024.  To learn more about it, click here.

 

As someone who has been researching my family history for more than three decades now, I can’t tell you the number of times that I wished that I could just ask one question to an ancestor whose family I was researching at the time.  I hope that someday, in the very distant future, that I might be reunited with those ancestors, and you can your bottom dollar that I will have a list of questions ready for them. 

 

Everyone has stories, but as time marches on, they can fade from our memory and can be lost forever.  I was reminded of this just this past weekend while reading local author, Mark Sutton’s newly published book, “Marble Creek Reflections”.  I’m just a year older than Mark and though I grew up in the suburbs of St. Louis, I spent many weekends and summers visiting with and staying with grandparents and cousins in what we called, “the country.”  Many of Mark’s stories rekindled my own memories of creeks, swimming holes, berry picking, family get togethers, holidays, etc.  I have never written my own stories down, shame on me, but time has a habit of slipping away.  Mark’s book (available in paperback from Amazon) or in person from the author at the Fall Mountain Music Festival on October 19, 2024 in Ironton, reminded me that even the simplest of stories have meaning and that they also create a snap-shot in time, telling us about what was going on around us in the world at that time. 

 

I loved Mark’s stories, and I am now going to start writing some of my own down at long last before it is too late.  Looking at the bigger picture, you might ask why it’s so important to preserve our family stories?  Here are just a few of the reasons:

How can you start recording your family stories?

Remember, every story, no matter how small, is important. By taking the time to record our family stories, we are preserving a vital part of our history and creating a legacy for future generations.  I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mark Sutton for taking the time to publish his own stories and to encourage all our readers to record and share their own stories too!