Wednesday, December 18, 2013

May I have the envelope, please?

We have a winner!


Pat Klemann Heywood, of Panguitch, Utah is the winner of a brand new Flip-Pal!

Congratulations are in order to Pat, for I know she will find this a valuable tool in preserving precious memories.


Pat has been notified, and her Flip-Pal unit will be off to her in a flash.

I would like to thank Bob and Diane from Flip-Pal for inviting me to host this giveaway.  They work for an amazing company, and it is an honor to work with them as an Ambassador for the Grandparents Community.  You may follow the blog at:  http://flip-pal.com/category/grandparents/

And, most of all, a heartfelt thanks to each of you who participated.  I loved the comments you left both on the blog and on Facebook.





Disclaimer:  The winner was chosen by Rafflecopter.  I was notified early this morning, and I had no say-so in selecting the winner.

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Midnight EST will soon be here...

It's cold.

It's dark.  

It will be cold and dark for a few more months.

What can you do during these long winter month?

Here's your answer!


The winner will be announced tomorrow.

Come on!  You know you want it!!


Follow the prompts on the widget to the right, and it will guide you through the entry process.  

And, for lots of wonderful ideas on what a great product Flip-Pal is, check out the following:








Disclaimer:  Flip-Pal is sponsoring this contest, and the winner will be chosen by RaffleCopter.  I purchased my own unit several years ago, and am an Ambassador for the Grandparents Community:  http://flip-pal.com/category/grandparents/

Monday, December 16, 2013

It's almost over! Perhaps these photos will help you decide...

Tomorrow will be the final day to enter the Flip-Pal Giveaway.

Let me tell you a true story that happened in our family.  A horrible house fire swept through my father's home just a year and a half after my mother passed away.  As we later went through the ashes, we found that the only things that were saved were:

1.  Most all of the genealogy and family history records.

2.  A good many of the photo albums, but not all.

3.  His underwear.

The photos were in magnetic photo albums that were popular at the time.  We now know they are not the best way to house our precious pictures.  However, my sisters and I recently went through those albums and attempted to reconstruct what we found.

 This is a photo of my dad's brother, Charles Clemens, that was rescued from the fire in 1985.  You can see the damage from both fire and water.
 After scanning it with Flip-Pal, I was able to crop it and keep the best part visible.  I will later attempt to restore it to a better image.  This is the only photo I have of Uncle Charles.
 A scan of another one of my dad's brothers, Dewey Clemens and his wife, Edna Gilliam.  The photo was not as bad as others.
 The same photo that has been sharpened and cleaned up a bit.
My father's oldest brother, George Russell Clemens.  I have not done anything with this photo yet.  It was in bad condition even before the fire.  But, at least I have the image.
 A very tiny photo of my dad that was about the size of a quarter.  It was so little that it almost was lost.

 These last two are of my dad when he served at Pearl Harbor during WWII. I don't know that I'll make any effort to restore them, for they fine for me in this condition.  I'm just glad they were preserved.

Even though a fire destroyed only some of our precious memories 28 year years ago, others are not so lucky.  We have all seen the devastation from catastrophic events around the globe.  Our hearts have been touched as victims have searched for any memento they can find.

Please don't let the same thing happen to you.

Go ahead!  Enter!!



Follow the prompts on the widget to the right, and it will guide you through the entry process.  

And, for lots of wonderful ideas on what a great product Flip-Pal is, check out the following:








Disclaimer:  Flip-Pal is sponsoring this contest, and the winner will be chosen by RaffleCopter.  I purchased my own unit several years ago, and am an Ambassador for the Grandparents Community:  http://flip-pal.com/category/grandparents/

Sunday, December 15, 2013

Halfway there!


We are halfway through the Giveaway!!!



A few years ago, I was intrigued at the number of people watching a demonstration at a genealogy conference.  I had to know what was going on.

Though I have no memory of the name of the person demonstrating, I was astounded at what he was doing.  The crowd was pressing forward, wanting to see more.  I'm short, so I pressed forward, too!

He was operating this little device, all while talking to the crowd.  He could do it without looking at what he was doing.  He scanned photo after photo, documents, medals, and newspaper clippings.

But, the most fascinating of the demonstrations involved an older framed picture that was probably three feet long and perhaps eight inches high.  Using the "stitching" technique, he scanned segments of the photo through the glass, uploaded it onto his laptop computer, and allowed the stitching to duplicate the framed photo.

I was astounded!

I did not purchase my Flip-Pal at that time, although I wish that I had.  I continue to see different people demonstrate it at different venues.  But, I just couldn't justify buying it for myself.

Three years ago I attended a Family History Expo in Sandy, Utah.  I skipped one of the classes to to spend time in the Expo Hall.  I found the Flip-Pal booth and was delightfully given one-on-one time with the seller.  I had to make sure this was something I could do.

Needless to say, I walked out of the Expo Hall with my very own Flip-Pal.  It was a long drive from Utah to Ohio, but within moments I was scanning anything I could find in the car.

Now, I scan away on any trip we're on.  I scan mindlessly while watching television.  Just like you, I have hundreds, if not thousands of photos from a lifetime of being part of a family.

My only regret is that I had not purchased it sooner.

Come on!  Enter!  You have until Tuesday night at midnight, EST.

 A scan from my mother's journal.  She drew a picture of her first wood stove for cooking.
 A larger image of the scan.
One of the photos of my mom, done while I was just sitting on the couch watching television.



Follow the prompts on the widget to the right, and it will guide you through the entry process.  

And, for lots of wonderful ideas on what a great product Flip-Pal is, check out the following:








Disclaimer:  Flip-Pal is sponsoring this contest, and the winner will be chosen by RaffleCopter.  I purchased my own unit several years ago, and am an Ambassador for the Grandparents Community:  http://flip-pal.com/category/grandparents/

Saturday, December 14, 2013

So, why would you want a Flip-Pal?

The Flip-Pal Giveaway is underway, and many have signed up to be part of it.


So, why would you want/need a Flip-Pal?

1.  You have an aunt who has a shoebox full of obituaries and funeral cards that are on the top shelf of a closet.

2.  You ARE the aunt who has a shoebox full of obituaries and funeral cards on the top shelf of a closet.

3.  Your parents have military emblems that need to be scanned.  This can lead to some wonderful discussions.

4.  You want to decorate the family Christmas tree with some photos of your loved ones.

5.  You want to create a beautiful wall display of your ancestors.

6.  You have inherited recipes cards and church cookbooks that have some special notes written by mothers and grandmothers that you want to share.

7.  You are receiving Christmas cards that have letters and photographs in them, and you want to scan them as they come in.

8.  You have parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts, and in-laws that have photos that the rest of the family would love to have copies of, but they don't want to let them out of their house to have copies made.

9.  You ARE the parent, grandparent, uncle, aunt, or in-law that has photos that the rest of the family would love to have copies of.

10.  You know that when someone passes on, the memorabilia may be thrown away, unlabeled, or just not valued.

11.  You have finished your Christmas shopping and want something for yourself.

12.  You want one because you have seen someone else with one.  You are coveting.  Just admit it.
A photo taken of another photo.
The same photo scanned using Flip-Pal.

The Giveaway runs through 17 Dec 2013 at midnight EST.

You know you want it.  Come on!!!  Enter!






Follow the prompts on the widget to the right, and it will guide you through the entry process.  

And, for lots of wonderful ideas on what a great product Flip-Pal is, check out the following:








Disclaimer:  Flip-Pal is sponsoring this contest, and the winner will be chosen by RaffleCopter.  I purchased my own unit several years ago, and am an Ambassador for the Grandparents Community:  http://flip-pal.com/category/grandparents/

Friday, December 13, 2013

It's time to do something for yourself!

It's here!!  The contest is here!!!

Can you believe your luck??



Flip-Pal is offering a holiday giveaway beginning today, 13 Dec 2013, and will end at midnight EST on 17 Dec 2013.

There are many opportunities to enter, to refer the contest to friends and family, and to sign up for the Flip-Pal newsletter.

Follow the prompts on the widget to the right, and it will guide you through the entry process.  

And, for lots of wonderful ideas on what a great product Flip-Pal is, check out the following:








Disclaimer:  Flip-Pal is sponsoring this contest, and the winner will be chosen by RaffleCopter.  I purchased my own unit several years ago, and am an Ambassador for the Grandparents Community:  http://flip-pal.com/category/grandparents/

Thursday, December 12, 2013

Tomorrow's the day!!

At 8:00 am EST, a great contest will begin!


If you're the winner, you will have the opportunity:

1.  To be a better family historian.

2.  To be entrusted with valuable mementoes.

3.  To create beautiful memory books.

4.  To catch up in compiling your own family history.

5.  To win a gift for yourself, or someone you love.


Remember...it begins tomorrow at 8:00 am and will run through midnight EST, 17 Dec 2013.

You can't win unless you enter, so check this blog tomorrow and get started!

Time to treat yourself for Christmas...

It's almost here...

This weekend could be the weekend you treat yourself to something special...

You will flip out...

It's a contest you will want to enter...

Watch this blog tomorrow at 8:00 am...

Get up out of that bed!!!


Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Not an unlucky day at all!

Friday the 13th is this week.  Typically, it is an unlucky day.


But, it may not be unlucky for you.

Watch this blog, for there is more to come...

A Fascinating Obituary

The Richland County Chapter of The Ohio Genealogical Society held its Christmas potluck luncheon last Saturday.  Sunda Peters, the President of OGS read this fascinating obituary to us:

Susie Swartzentruber, 92

Susie Swartzentruber, 92, 9526 Salt Creek Road, Fredericksburg, died Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2013, at her home.

She was born in Orrville on Feb. 4, 1921, to the late Samuel and Susanna (Miller) Yoder and married Raymond L. Swartzentruber on Dec. 16, 1941.  He died April 27, 2000.

She was a member of the Old Order Amish Church.

Surviving are children, Elle (Levi) Troyer of Bellville, Levi (Iva) Swartzenbruber of Apple Creek, Paul (Naomi) Swartzentruber of Navarre, Clara (Albert) Weaver of Danville, Sara (Wayne) Miller of Millersburg, Emma (Dan) Troyer and Albert (Katie) Swartzentruber, both of Apple Creek, Atlee (Ruth) Swartzentruber of Fredericksburg, Iva Swartzentruber and Ray (Gertrude) Swartzentruber, both of the home, David (Sara) Swartzentruber, Susan (Alvin Jr.) Hershberger and Aden (Susie) Swartzentruber, all of Fredericksburg; 88 grandchildren; 10 step-grandchildren; 292 great-grandchildren; 53 step-great- grandchildren; six great-great-grandchildren; and two step-great-great-grandchildren.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by children; Annie, Fannie, LizzieAnn and Reuben; three grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; four step-great-grandchildren; brothers Roman, David and Christian Yoder; and sisters LizzieAnn Mast, Sara Mast and Emma Schlabach.

Funeral services were Friday, Nov 22 at the residence, with Bishop Nelson D Yoder officiating.  Burial was in the Hershberger Cemetery, Salt Creek Township, Wayne County.

Spidell Funeral Home in Mount Eaton handled arrangements.

Holmes Co. Hub Shopper, Nov. 28 - Dec. 4, 2013; Vol. 12, No. 33, p. 36.

Do the math.  I am worn out just reading this.

The Problem With City Directories

City directories can provide such a rich snapshot of the neighborhoods of our ancestors.
 Just look at this lovely old directory from Sacramento City, 1851.
Another beautiful example from Cleveland, Ohio, 1837.

But, I have one really big problem with city directories; not a single one of my ancestors lived in a city.  Therefore, these really are of no value to me.

Just last week, I went to the headquarters of The Ohio Genealogical Society, which is just six miles from my home.  I'm there often, but not often enough.  Friends from Indiana were headed home after the Thanksgiving holiday, and they had never been there.  Would we like to meet up?

Of course!  I arranged for them to have a tour from one of the most knowledgeable staff members I know; Missy Derrenberger.  I always tag along, for I learn things I didn't know I didn't know.  This day was no exception.

As they marveled at the holdings at this wonderful library (one of the ten largest genealogical libraries east of the Mississippi), I only listened in occasionally.  I've heard it before.  I'm there all the time.  But, this time, Missy was instructing them on the value of county directories.

I have to be honest.  I have never given them a second thought.  

When I returned home, I began to think about them more.  So, I returned on Saturday to talk with Missy.
Shelves of county directories are available at OGS.

A few years ago, she and another volunteer learned that a large collection of these directories were going to be thrown away.  Through a series of correspondence, they made the trek and returned home with hundreds of copies.

The directories cover the years 1915-1921, stop for awhile, then begin again in the 1930's.  They have consistently been published now since the 1950's.

There are several differences between these and the city directories.
The cover of the Mercer Co., Ohio Directory - 1915.

 The title page of the Trumbull Co., OH Directory - 1936.  It states the townships that are covered in the directory.
Shelby County, Ohio - 1936 County Directory

 But...look at the priceless differences in what you find in a county directory.  Look at the entry for ALTEPETER, Paul W.  His wife Herschema is listed, as well as Martha (age 1), Geo (age 2), and Phil (age 4).  I can't remember what the "T" stands for, but he is employed at Gibson Grain Prod, and lives at 54 Road 27 RD 4, Sidney, Ohio.

City directories don't typically list the family members and their ages.  At least none that I've ever looked at.


Richland County, Ohio - 1995-96 County Directory

As we come a bit closer to our time period, we notice that even phone numbers are given,  Look at the Andrew M. Troyer family.  They live on a farm and have no phone.  (My guess is that they are Amish, for this is a typically Amish name in an area where many Amish families live.)  His wife Fanny A is listed, along with a number of children.  The numbers after their names are not their ages, but their birth years.

I can see that I have a lot more research to do, which includes a lot of backtracking.  I honestly have not known too much about county directories.  When the word "directory" is brought up, I have just automatically thought city directory.  It appears I have been wrong.

The Ohio Genealogical Society houses these directories only for this state.  I must now see if there are some available for the areas of Appalachia I must search in.

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Such beautiful artwork...

Mr. Kerry comes from a family of artists.  I envy their talent.  As a matter of fact, I am covetous.

First in my mind is his beautiful sister, Gay Nickle Lauritzen, who is deceased.  She was so talented with her hands.  We were so saddened when she lost the use of her hands, and everything else on her body through the ravenous ALS, otherwise known as  Lou Gehrig's Disease.


It is somewhat difficult for me to look at these photos without a lump in my throat.  I terribly miss this talented woman.

His sister Charm possesses a beautiful talent, as well.  I ran across two sketches she did of the grandparents of his mother, Shirley Elma Rhoades.
Francis Clement Nickle
Nellie Rhodes Nickle

See what I mean?  I couldn't even begin to draw a picture of someone and have it resemble that individual.  

Every one of Mr. Kerry's siblings possess some degree of this talent, which I believe came through his mother.  Many of the grandchildren are blessed with it, too.

I guess I was standing in the wrong line when that particular talent was being given out...

Friday, November 15, 2013

His Navy Service Never Left Him

Dad was in the Navy.  What he learned there never left him.
Chester Lee Clemens, US Navy

He often said you could judge a man's character by his shoes.  Some of the young men I dated did not meet dad's standards, for their shoes were unkempt.

I recently came across dad's old shoe shine box.  I had never given it much thought, for it was just something I saw him take with him whenever we traveled and wherever he moved.

Chester Clemens' shoe shine box

As I examined the items within it -- the brush, the Kiwi polish, the daubers, the soft buffing cloth -- I realized that the last person to touch those items were dad.  He kept his shoes highly polished, no doubt learned from his Navy years.

Dad was a young hillbilly boy from Kentucky, married with three young girls and working in the West Virginia coal mines when he received his draft notice.  He was the only one drafted from the camps.

He lived with us for a few years before he died, and each day he dressed quite smartly, made his bed so a quarter could bounce on it, and paid attention to his shoes.  Those Navy years never left him.  Never.  

Sunday, October 20, 2013

Craving Chicken






Tonight, I'm missing my dad.  

Or, maybe I'm just hungry for chicken.

In his later years, people said that my father reminded them of Colonel Harland Sanders of Kentucky Fried Chicken Fame.  They were both from Kentucky, and had that same twinkle in their eyes.  Sometimes, my dad would grow a goatee, just like Colonel Sanders.  That really clinched the look!

It would be great to enjoy a piece of the Colonel's chicken tonight, but a nice talk with my dad would be even better.

Someday...

Sunday, September 1, 2013

Don't Give Up The Ship! - Celebrating the Battle of Lake Erie in the War of 1812

It's a big weekend of celebration here in Ohio.  It was 200 years ago on 10 Sep 1813 that the Battle of Lake Erie was fought and won by Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry.

The War of 1812 is sometimes glossed over in the annals of history.  I don't remember it being taught in school, for it seemed like we jumped from the Revolutionary War to the Civil War.  I may be wrong, but that's how it seemed.

Let's look at some history:
  • It was sometimes called America's Second War of Independence.
  • The key players were the British, the Americans, and the Native Americans.
  • Johnny Appleseed was living here in northcentral Ohio when the threat of the war was close.  He ran barefoot 26 miles to a neighboring town for help.
Britain was fighting Napoleon in Europe needed more soldiers.  This led to impressment of American sailors, i.e. they were "pressed" into service for the British Navy.  

Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry, a young man from Rhode Island, was given command of 19 vessels, and learned that the British were patrolling the western waters of Lake Erie.  Our ships were much smaller than the British ships, but Perry went looking for them.  When he learned where they were, he sailed right into them.

Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry

A battle ensued for two hours.  Perry had enlisted the aid of William Henry Harrison, who sent 100 Kentucky riflemen.  The Kentuckians remembered the massacre on the River Raisin where many of their own were killed.  They were all too happy to join Commodore Perry.  Nearly 20% of the men on Perry's ship, the USS Lawrence were made up of African Americans.

At the end of those two hours, nearly all of Perry's men were either wounded or killed, and though his ship went down, he refused to surrender.  He climbed into a rowboat and sailed toward the USS Niagara and continued the fight against the two largest ships belonging to the British.  Eventually, the British surrendered and Perry captured the remaining vessels.


We now controlled the Great Lakes!!!  Commodore sent the following message to his General William Henry Harrison:


"We have met the enemy, and they are ours.  Two Ships, two Brigs, one Schooner & one Sloop.  Yours, with great respect and esteem."   O.H. Perry


Sir,
U.S. Schooner ARIEL, Put-in-Bay, September 13th, 1813.
In my last I informed you that we had captured the enemy's fleet on this lake. I have now the honor to give you the most important particulars of the action.
On the morning of the 10th instant, at sunrise, they were discovered from Put-in-Bay, where I lay at anchor with the squadron under my command. We got under way, the wind light at S.W., and stood for them. At ten a.m. the wind hauled to S.E. and brought us to windward; formed the line, and bore up. At fifteen minutes before twelve, the enemy commenced firing; at five minutes before twelve, the action commenced on our part. Finding their fire very destructive, owing to their long guns, and its being mostly directed at the LAWRENCE, I made sail, and directed the other vessels to follow, for the purpose of closing with the enemy. Every brace and bowline being soon shot away, she became unmanageable, notwithstanding the great exertions of the sailing master. In this situation, she sustained the action upwards of two hours, within canister distance, until every gun was rendered useless, and the greater part of her crew either killed or wounded. Finding she could no longer annoy the enemy, I left her in charge ofLieutenant Yarnall, who, I was convinced, from the bravery already displayed by him, would do what would comport with the honor of the flag. At half past two, the wind springing up, Captain Elliott was enabled to bring his vessel, the NIAGARA, gallantly into close action. I immediately went on board of her, when he anticipated my wishes, by volunteering to bring the schooners, which had been kept astern by the lightness of the wind, into closer action. It was with unspeakable pain that I saw, soon after I got on board the NIAGARA, the flag of the LAWRENCE come down; although was perfectly sensible that she had been defended to the last, and that, to have continued to make a show of resistance would have been a wanton sacrifice of the remains of her brave crew. But the enemy was not able to take possession of her, and circumstances soon permitted her flag again to be hoisted. At forty-five minutes past two the signal was made for "closer action." The NIAGARA being very little injured, I determined to pass through the enemy's line; bore up, and passed ahead of their two ships and a brig, saving a raking fire to them, from the starboard guns, and to a large schooner and sloop from the larboard side, at half pistol shot distance. The smaller vessels, at this time, having got within grape and canister distance, under the direction of Captain Elliott, and keeping up a well directed fire, the two ships, a brig, and schooner, surrendered, a schooner and sloop making a vain attempt to escape.
Those officers and men who were immediately under my observation, evinced the greatest gallantry; and I have no doubt that all others conducted themselves as became American officers and seamen.  (www.usni.org)

Both sides met to bury the dead and recite from the Book of Common Prayer at Put-In-Bay on South Bass Island.  Perry's Victory Monument stands proudly on this island, reminding us of the battle that took place nearby.


The Lake Erie waters are filled with celebrations commemorating this event.  A few of the web sites are included below, which will give one a lively sense of being there:
http://battleoflakeerie-bicentennial.com/
http://battleoflakeerie-bicentennial.com/history/the-fleet/

Yesterday, we were able to view one of the tall ships which was in port to take part in this weekend of celebration.  I expected the ship to be huge, but was amazed at how small it really was.


The Hindu

http://tallshipcelebration.com/2013-tall-ship-fleet/hindu

For those not familiar with Lake Erie, it is the most shallow of the five Great Lakes, and the storms that can happen in an instant can be devastating.  I am amazed at how this battle was won.

Today, the pensions associated with the soldiers and sailors from this war are being digitized at the National Archives.  It takes money, and all are welcome to contribute:  http://www.preservethepensions.org/

Saturday, August 10, 2013

One of our local heroes - Johnny Appleseed

Our area of northcentral Ohio has a great love for John Chapman, otherwise known as Johnny Appleseed.

He lived in our vicinity during the early part of the 1800's.  And yes, he planted thousands and thousands of apple trees.  Up until just a few years ago, some of the descendants of those apple trees were still alive.  At this point in time, I am unsure if any are still living.

Today, Mr. Kerry and I decided to take advantage of the beautiful, late summer weather.  We went to a rummage sale (the best I've ever been to!), grazed at Sam's Club, and enjoyed a classic car show and ice cream social at a small country church.

But, in between all of that, we visited the restored blockhouse that our community is famous for.
 Restored Mansfield Blockhouse 
South Park on Brinkerhoff Avenue

There used to be twin blockhouses that sat in the middle of town, where our square is now.  Many preservation efforts have brought it to where it stands today.

This weekend marks the event that Johnny Appleseed is famous for in our area.  During the War of 1812, Ohio was on edge.  There were a few Indian skirmishes, as well as the famous Battle of Lake Erie, won by Oliver Hazard Perry.

But, this part of Ohio didn't see much of the War's happenings.  Until...the murder of Levi Jones, a local shopkeeper.  The residents were just sure that Indians were planning an attack, for along with the Americans and the British, they were the third players in the War.  Johnny got along quite well with them.

Johnny ran for reinforcements.  He reported left on the evening/night of 9 August 1813 and ran barefoot to Mount Vernon, a small town 26 miles to the south.  He knew the woods intimately.  He called upon the residents to come and help, for there would surely be an impending Indian attack.  He was the Paul Revere of north central Ohio, for he felt it was his duty to warn and to gather aid.
The attack never came.  Rumor has it that the Indians had laid siege upon the town.

Johnny lived in our area for many years following this event before moving westward to Indiana.  He later died in Fort Wayne.

Now, why do I bring this up?  Because sometimes we need to explore the area right around us to gain an appreciation for the early settlers, their lives, their joys, and their fears.  In this case, an important part of history is right in our back yard.

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Migration Trails of Our Ancestors

I LOVE traveling to the areas where my ancestors lived!


When I am preparing for a research trip, I bring along all of the necessities:  my laptop, my Flip-pal scanner, a magnifying glass, little colored Post-it flags, a change purse for copies, my digital camera, you know what you need to bring.  Oh!  And my glasses!  I forgot those one time and paid a dear price.


I also take along my 15-generation pedigree chart.  I still use a paper copy of a pedigree chart, for it serves as my road map for research.  Plus, if I happen to step away for a moment while in the library, I almost always come back to see other researchers looking at it!  They want to see if we connect.  I also take a few extra to give out, for people are always asking me where I get them.


http://www.sgenealogy.com/cart/charts-forms/oversize-charts/15-generation-pedigree-chart-10-pack


But, I love looking around the areas where I research.  The hills and hollers of Kentucky with the fields of tobacco waiting to go into the tobacco barns.  I love looking at the rolling green hills of Virginia, with the peaks of the Appalachian Mountains and their beauty.  The grandeur of all of this wonderful land takes my breath away.

I have also visited and photographed a few of the homes of my ancestors.  One that stands out in my memory is that of Zachariah Johnston in Lexington, Virginia and has been on the market for awhile.  It was built in 1797.  
The price tag is $1,500.00.  I want it.
.




But, my people didn't stay in one place.  They moved on to other areas that were considered "the west".  That would have included Kentucky, and also the Northwest Territory, which included Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin and a portion of Minnesota.  


People moved for many reasons:  in Virginia, it might have been because the land had been "burned" by raising tobacco year after year.  They may have received land for military service.  There may have been extreme climate conditions.  Do a google search on "the year without a summer 1816" and you will be astounded at the effects of volcanic ash from Mount Tamboro, which erupted in Indonesia.  It snowed through the summer, creating ice on ponds from New England to North Carolina.  Crops were destroyed and people didn't know how they would feed their families through the winter.


There was also the promise of bigger and better things.  Young people left New England to come to Ohio and they rarely went back.  After that devastating year without a summer, the word went out that in Ohio, you could raise 3 foot turnips and 14 foot tall cornstalks.  Let's go!


Perhaps there had been the death of the patriarch of the family.  The oldest son received the land, so as a younger son you knew that whatever you may have received was all that you were going to receive.  We'll just move on.  And, they did.


Most migrating New Englanders were to the Western Reserve.  Those in the mid-South went on to Kentucky, Tennesse, Southern Ohio.  I have seen entire neighborhoods in Virginia move to the area along the Ohio River.  What brought them there?  Industry.  Promise of a brighter future for their families.


All of the above reasons were take