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Continue readingTag Archives: history
The First “First Lady”
One of the largest repositories of genealogical data in the world belongs to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, commonly referred to as the Mormons. During my ongoing research into my family tree, I’ve used the LDS genealogy website, familysearch.org, extensively and often receive notifications of new findings as they arise.
Continue readingBrief History of the Jack O’ Lantern
By ESanders (WMF) – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, Link
Tonight is officially Halloween of 2017. That means trick-or-treat for the kids, pranks for the juveniles, costume parties for the adults, and of course, the lighting of the carved-up pumpkin. But how did the “Jack-o-Lantern”, become such a traditional part of all this?
Continue readingTies to the Mayflower
Though it’s estimated that about 35 million Americans are related to the passengers of the Mayflower to some degree, it’s a little rarer to have a direct line to one, and no easy task to be able to prove it.
Continue readingPath of the Wright Brothers
Having just wrapped-up The Wright Brothers by one of my favorite authors, David McCullough, many parallels stood out between Orville, Wilbur and myself, as the movement of our family during my formative years followed the path of the Wright family.
First Flight – colorized photograph by John T. Daniels at Kitty Hawk in 1903, one of the most famous photos of all time.
Grampa Smith’s Civil War Documents
![Application for discharged soldiers' county bounty - Affidavit of Samuel B. Smith, for Samuel B. Smith [FRONT]](https://mlydewzthwfa.i.optimole.com/w:auto/h:auto/q:mauto/ig:avif/f:best/https://stephendowell.com/blogosphericaljournalization/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2013/12/Front.jpg)
Application for discharged soldiers’ county bounty – Affidavit of Samuel B. Smith, for Samuel B. Smith [FRONT]
I ventured upon these images from the Ball State University Digital Media Repository of Delaware County Civil War Resources, these photocopied documents issued to Samuel B. Smith – my Great, Great, Grandfather.
Continue readingOn Nelson Mandela
Awe-inspiring words –
Do not judge me by my successes, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again.”
– Nelson Mandela
Steve D.
Remember? Remember!
It will be fifty years this November 22nd, a day that I remember like it was yesterday.
Continue readingMr. Powell – Ozark Mountain Daredevils
Of all my albums from the 70’s, one of the few I’d listen to when I needed comfort, peace of mind, and a good night’s sleep was Car Over the Lake Album by the Ozark Mountain Daredevils, perhaps the most under appreciated band of the era.
Continue readingHalloween and Martin Luther’s 95 Theses
Today may officially be Halloween, but on this day 495 years ago, monk and scholar Martin Luther ignited the Protestant Reformation by posting on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany, a piece of paper with his 95 revolutionary opinions (protests) objecting to the Roman Catholic Church.
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