Letters were a lifeline for the Bones family and their associates to their families in Ireland in the 19th century. They communicated the latest family news, neighborhood changes, business dealings, and political perspectives. But their letters also had limits. Some letter writers were limited by a scarcity of paper or ink, keeping letter writers to … Continue reading A Thousand Letters
Three words: “Emmet’s Speech framed.” These three words didn’t mean much to me as I read through the inventory of John Strong Adams‘ Charleston, South Carolina, house. I was more intrigued by some of the other pictures listed, portraits of Bonaparte and Mary, Queen of Scots, curious about their significance. But the significance of Emmet’s … Continue reading Emmet’s Speech framed
I first met Mrs. McLeery in the diary of James Black, proprietor of the Randalstown cotton mills in County Antrim, Ireland, and a merchant of Charleston, South Carolina. Mr. Black was tangentially connected to my ancestors in Augusta, Georgia. The following entry from 31 August 1841 caught my attention because of Mrs. McCleery’s nephew: Attended … Continue reading In Search of Mrs. McCleery
My 4th great-grandmother, Mary Elizabeth (Eve) Carmichael, kept a diary from 1837 to 1850 that was passed down and is now kept at the library at University of North Carolina. As a teenager, on one of our semiannual drives from Washington, DC to Clemson, South Carolina, to visit my grandmother, we stopped at UNC so … Continue reading Peculiar Gratitude
Twice my 5th great aunt, Sarah (Eve) Adams intrigues me and I keep coming back to her. Maybe it’s the romantic account of her courtship with her husband. Perhaps it’s the dramatic story of having to cross the Atlantic alone after the death of her husband and brother during the War of 1812. It could … Continue reading Mother Aunt Adams
I found him! My 5th great-grandfather, the presumed John Holden, has been an enigma for many years. I’ve had lots of questions and doubts, but very little information, and a lot of dead ends*. But one simple detail in one short paragraph of a letter was the key to solving the mystery. In a previous … Continue reading Glad to Get Him Away From Chester
I’ve been exploring the archives of the Augusta Chronicle lately looking for things related to my ancestors and their families in that place. In this election season, I’m inspired by the activity of my 6th great-uncle, John Bones, who participated in local organizations, committees, and ran for city counsel throughout much of his life. He … Continue reading Many Voters
Heart Genealogy 