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Every family has stories. Some are well-worn tales passed down through generations, while others are fragments — half-remembered, scattered like leaves caught in the wind. My book, Gathering More Leaves, Volume I, was born out of a desire to collect those fragments, to preserve them before they were lost, and to weave them into something meaningful for both my family and anyone who values history, … Continue reading Gathering More Leaves
The upcoming 250th anniversary of the American Revolution is a milestone I eagerly anticipate. This celebration holds deep personal significance for me, particularly as my genealogical research over the last few years has uncovered several ancestors who served in the struggle for independence in various capacities. Over the last half-year, my understanding of the American Revolution has expanded more than it did throughout my entire … Continue reading A Revolutionary Idea
I asked Google Gemini to tell me about an ancestor on my mother’s-side of our family, the Rev, John Rogers, Proto-martyr of the Marian Persecution in 1555, and here is their response: The Reverend John Rogers was indeed the “proto-martyr” of the Marian Persecutions—the very first person executed under the revived heresy laws of Queen Mary I. His execution on February 4, 1555, at Smithfield … Continue reading Rev, John Rogers, Proto-martyr
I went looking for my father’s military records thinking that I won’t learn anything new. I found his draft registration from 1948, two years before the start of the Korean War. To put things into perspective the Korean War began on 25 June 1950 when the Korean People’s Army (KPA), equipped and trained by the Soviets, launched an invasion of the south. In the absence … Continue reading David DeBacker Draft Registration (1948)
My mother’s great-grandfather, George C. Spiegel, was a German-born seegarmaker who joined the US army in October 1862 as a private in Company E of the 58th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment (XI Corps). He was 23 years old at the time. The 58th was known as the “Polish Legion” and also the “International Regiment.” I sent the following prompt to Gemini and asked it … Continue reading George C. Spiegel – Seegarmaker and Soldier
I have an ancestor who was at the Battle of Stones River. His name was Frank Gaume and he was with Co. I of the 19th Ohio Volunteer Infantry under the command of Major Manderson . With this information is it possible to place his whereabouts during the Battle of Stones River in Tennessee on Dec 31, 1862 to Jan 3, 1863? Yes, it is … Continue reading Frank Gaume & the Battle of Stones River
This history is in regard to my father’s 5X great-grandfather, Samuel Stearnes, who was at the Battle of Monmouth on 28 June 1778. Lately, I’ve been using AI more and more to help me sort through questions about family history and history in general. It’s become a really handy way to explore ideas, check facts, and think through problems from different angles. Sometimes I’ll even … Continue reading Samuel Stearnes (Starnes) & the Battle of Monmouth
John McMullan, my mother’s 4X great-grandfather, of the 11th Virginia Regiment was listed as “Killed 11 September” on a muster roll dated Oct 1777. Later in April 1778 he rejoined the unit. Comments read “omitted since Battle of Brandywine and since joined.” Time in Service reads 11 Sept 1777 to 1 Apr 1778 – 6 mos. and 19 days. I documented this in previous blog … Continue reading More on the Individual Presumed Dead
John McMullan, my mother’s 4X great-grandfather, of the 11th Virginia Regiment was listed as “Killed 11 September” on a muster roll dated Oct 1777. Later in April 1778 he rejoined the unit. Comments read “omitted since Battle of Brandywine and since joined.” Time in Service reads 11 Sept 1777 to 1 Apr 1778 – 6 mos. and 19 days. I asked chat GPT to help … Continue reading Follow-up on the Individual Presumed Dead
This is a history regarding an ancestor on my mother’s side who fought in the American Revolutionary War and was at one point presumed killed in action. One legend suggests that my maternal fifth great-grandmother, Theodosia Beasley, left her husband, John McMullan—also my fifth great-grandfather—for another man named William Dula, after she and John had five children together. According to this account, John McMullan spent … Continue reading Presumed Dead
Here is an account of the St Marys fire of December 1884 from the St Mary’s Express, one of two newspapers in the town and the one that was not destroyed. It is in PDF format for your reading pleasure. Continue reading The St Marys Fire of December 1884
Gathering Leaves 