Author Archives: admin

1940 Census

Posted on March 11, 2012 by admin

At 12:01 A.M. Monday, April 2, 2012, the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) will release the long-awaited 1940 Census data. After a seventy-two year wait for privacy reasons, the public will learn about ancestors who survived the Great Depression … Continue reading →

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Secret Codes of the Underground Railroad

Posted on March 11, 2012 by admin

The last Saturday in February, the Pleasant Hill Quilting Group of Linden in Cass County presented an outstanding program for the public in Emory. Over 100 persons were in attendance to see the quilts those talented ladies made and learn … Continue reading →

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Three D Travel

Posted on March 11, 2012 by admin

Early 19th Century travel was truly 3-D: difficult, dirty, and dangerous. Yet our ancestors took to the roads, such as they were, for numerous reasons. Some were looking for a new start, others left worn-out land behind, and some were … Continue reading →

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The Miraculous Madstone

Posted on July 26, 2011 by admin

The Dallas Morning News of February 28, 1892 ran the following item, “Five children on the farm of J. C. Bomar were bitten by a rabid dog.  All the children were taken to Greenville (Texas) to try the efficacy of … Continue reading →

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Surviving Hard Times and War Times

Posted on June 21, 2011 by admin

Note: I wrote the draft of this entry on June 6th and then left for a conference in Birmingham.  Although it’s late, I still think the information is worth sharing. Today is D Day when Allied troops invaded the northern … Continue reading →

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Cattle Drives Across the Mississippi

Posted on May 18, 2011 by admin

Over the weekend I finished reading Rising Tide: The Great Mississippi Flood of 1927 and How it Changed America by John M. Barry.  It is amazing how similar some of the tactics in use today were those used in 1927 … Continue reading →

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The New Madrid Fault and the Mississippi River

Posted on May 14, 2011 by admin

Ravaging floods are not the only disasters to occur along the Mississippi River.  Centered in the boot heel region of Missouri along the Mississippi River is the New Madrid Fault line.  Between December 16, 1811 and late April of 1812 … Continue reading →

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The Mighty Mississippi River

Posted on May 12, 2011 by admin

As we watch the devastation along the Mississippi River through the media we feel helpless knowing that when the river crests flood waters will remain for days.  We have seen it before and will see it again.  The Mississippi River … Continue reading →

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Weddings

Posted on May 3, 2011 by admin

Wasn’t the Royal Wedding absolutely smashing?  I especially loved the wedding gown with lace handmade in the traditional manner.  I mused over the fact that Kate’s wedding was so different and yet so much like weddings on the American frontier. … Continue reading →

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Using State Archives

Posted on April 28, 2011 by admin

Last weekend I was in Austin, Texas, for a Texas Historical Commission workshop.  I played hooky one afternoon to visit the newly renovated Texas State Archives.  For years I have researched there.  The records and staff were great, but the … Continue reading →

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