Chasing History

Why We Must Defend Honest History History is a complex tapestry of the ugly and the wonderful. It's often uncomfortable, difficult to reconcile, and yet, at its core, it is profoundly amazing. The most important thing we can do, in my opinion, is to continue telling history in an honest and truthful way. Museums aren't meant to be Hollywood movies. They shouldn't embellish or dramatize stories just to make their exhibits more interesting. While some may find museums "boring," for history enthusiasts like me, they are some of the most exciting places on earth. A quick look at the Smithsonian's website shows that it's "the world's largest museum, education, and research complex." The Smithsonian  dates back to British scientist James Smithson, who left his estate to the United States to found "an establishment for the increase and diffusion of knowledge." This vision, brought to life by James K. Polk, has grown to include 21 museums, ...

  Week 34: The theme for Week 34 is “Play Time.” (This should be fun!) Who in your family tree had a playful demeanor? Anyone play a sport or an instrument? How about someone who was in a school play? Clair Edwin Gross   Born: 17 July 1929 Newberry, York, Pennsylvania, USA Died: 21 March 2009 The Carolyn Croxton Slane Residence, Harrisburg, Dauphin, Pennsylvania, USA Although I've already covered my grandpa in previous posts, he's the perfect person for this theme. My grandfather was born, raised, and died in Newberrytown (his death occurred at a hospice facility after only having been moved there a few hours prior). He was a world-class athlete who dominated on the baseball diamond and the golf course. But his athleticism didn't stop there—he also excelled at roller skating, bowling, and ice skating. Beyond his physical prowess, he was one of the most playful people I've ever known, always ready with a joke he'd meticulously memorized. Every evening after dinner,...

Week 33: The theme for Week 33 is "Legal Troubles." There’s at least one in every family – that relative who seems to be in trouble more often than not. (Hey, at least they usually leave good records!) Who in your family tree had brushes with the legal system? Abraham Miller 1812–1856 3rd great-grandfather Jeremiah W Miller 1846–1890 2nd great-granduncle I am going to tell you the story of Abraham Miller, my paternal 3rd great-grandfather, and his son Jeremiah Miller, my paternal 2nd great-granduncle . It's a tragic story of murder and suicide.  Jeremiah never spent any time in prison, taking his life before the authorities could arrest him. Abraham was incarcerated in Carlisle, taking his life in his jail cell. Before their tragic ends, the men were known to the authorities, but never spent any significant time behind bars.  When Abraham Miller was born on January 1, 1812, in East Pennsboro, Pennsylvania, his father, Nicholas, was 46 and his mother, Catherine, was 27. He...

  Week 32: The theme for Week 32 is "Wide Open Spaces."Who in your family tree makes you think of the great outdoors? Who took advantage of homesteading? Who kept moving when the neighbors felt a little too close? David Erney 1880–1954 2nd great-grandfather When David Erney was born on February 20, 1880, in York, Pennsylvania, his father, Henry, was 37 and his mother, Leah, was 35. He married Amanda Ellen Spahr on June 23, 1913.  They had four children during their marriage. He died on August 19, 1954, in Fairview, Pennsylvania, at the age of 74, and was buried there. During his life in rural Fairview Township he was a laborer, working outside. He also enjoyed hunting.  David Erney is on the right. Posing with rabbits they had hunted.  Undated photograph. David Erney is pictured in the center of the front row.  David Erney (right) pictured with his son Bud. David's wife Amanda. Undated photograph. 

  Week 31 : The theme for Week 31 is “Earliest Ancestor.” Who is the earliest ancestor you have identified? Of course, you don’t have to interpret the prompt that way. How about: the first “new” ancestor you discovered, the earliest one to arrive in a certain location, or even one with a surname like Earl(e)y . For this prompt, I researched the maternal side of my family tree. I chose to follow the line of my maternal grandfather, Clair Edwin Gross. I was able to trace the line back to William Gross who was born 6 September 1512 in Kelsale, Saxmundham, Suffolk, England. Kelsale was a smaller agricultural village, while Saxmundham was already a market town. Kelsale had a parish church, St. Mary's and St. Peter's Church, which played a central role in community life. The Kelsale Church is probably a thousand years old being first mentioned in the Domesday Book circa AD 1086.  "The Domesday Book was created in the historical context of the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. ...

Did you know that the U.S. Postal Service is older than America?  Today the Postal Service turns 250!  “The post office was created a year before the Declaration of Independence and has been there at every step along the American journey,” said Steve Kochersperger, the agency’s postal historian. “It goes everywhere Americans have gone and keeps us united.” Throughout history, the mail has been delivered by rail, pony express, airplane, trucks, boats, and stagecoaches.  General stamps were introduced in 1847 and cost 5 cents and 10 cents. A Forever stamp now costs 78 cents.  Who was the first Postmaster General? Ben Franklin! On July 26, 1775, the Second Continental Congress appointed Benjamin Franklin the first Postmaster General.  Weird things you used to be able to mail and some that you still can- Regulations about what you could and couldn’t send through the mail were vague when post offices began accepting parcels over four pounds on January 1, 1913. People...