In 1934 my grandparents loaded up my father, who was an infant, and his older brother and left the dusty plains of Eastern Oklahoma for the hope of a better future in California. Over a half century later I asked my grandfather about their journey. He told me about the children in the makeshift roadside … Continue reading “That fella Steinman” →

Many years ago I became lost with my brother Ken and cousin Eric while driving “the back way” from Ione, Oregon to Portland. We saw a sign pointing to Arlington, which we knew to be on Interstate 84, and took the turn down a two lane road that soon turned to one lane and then … Continue reading The Oregon Trail →

Most of what I remember about the American Revolution from high school goes something like this: England colonized America and largely ignored it until, about a hundred years later, the king realized that America was thriving and would be a good source of revenue. In response to sudden and excessive taxation, America revolted and claimed … Continue reading Claypool’s Rebellion →

One of my favorite “I wonder if there’s any truth to it” family stories concerns my paternal great-grandfather Isaac Graves and Albert E. Brumley, the great gospel songwriter. The story goes like this: In the late 1920’s, Isaac’s son Clyde (my grandfather) attended music school with Albert Brumley. Brumley was working on a new song … Continue reading I’ll Fly Away →

On May 20, 1861, the state of Arkansas seceded from the union and became part of the Confederate States of America. Not all Arkansans agreed with this action and a secret anti-war society was formed in several northern Arkansas counties – including Searcy County, where my grandmother’s family settled for several generations – to protest … Continue reading The Civil War . . . it’s complicated →

Kittie May Ellis was my first cousin three times removed. She is one of those names on the genealogy chart that I always considered “of no genealogical significance,” meaning she (like myself) never married and had no children and would therefore never have anyone in future generations give her a second thought. She caught my … Continue reading Kittie May →

A google search of “naming practices” or “naming conventions” will return thousands of articles explaining how our ancestors named their children, and many will carry a “not all parents followed these conventions” disclaimer. I know this because I have been trying for years - without success - to figure out how my great-grandparents came up … Continue reading What’s in a name, anyway? →

Today would have been my mother’s 80th birthday, and it seems fitting that I start my family history blog with one of my most cherished memories of her. High View Cemetery, Ione, Oregon Several years ago I went for a drive with my parents and brother and ended up in Ione, Oregon, where my mother … Continue reading High View Cemetery and my mother’s birthday →