Letters are a treasure trove of information. I recently participated in a panel discussion about the intersection of postal history and genealogy. Here are some examples I shared.
Tag: letters
Something to Change My Plans
John Bones lost his wife, Maria, to tuberculosis. In a letter to his mother dated 4 June 1833, he writes, "I thought when in health that I appreciated her...but I now find that much as I love her I was never fully aware...of the treasure I possess in her, until the prospect of her removal, … Continue reading Something to Change My Plans
A Thousand Letters
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
Peculiar Gratitude
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
A Brick Wall Named Holden
John Holden is a brick wall and a stubborn one at that. There are no birth or death dates for him, no place of birth or death, no known grave, no census records. I'm not even sure his name was John. His wife and daughter were the only proof of his existence until recently. Last … Continue reading A Brick Wall Named Holden
Dear Harvester
Henry Townes Medlock grew up on a farm. He worked alongside his father and older brother on the family farm in Meriweather, Edgefield County, South Carolina. Records indicate that it was a modest farm with a few farm animals that produced butter and eggs and the family harvested corn, oats, wheat, cotton, and peas. As … Continue reading Dear Harvester
Sisters, Sisters
I have a sister. My mom and dad each have two. Lots of my ancestors had sisters, lots of them were sisters. Two of my 4th great-grandmothers were sisters to each other and they had eight more sisters. As I thought about this theme, I thought about my relationship with my sister and how much … Continue reading Sisters, Sisters
Heart Genealogy 