Justifiable Homicide
A few years ago I did an ancestry binder for an in-law branch of the family which shall remain nameless. I discovered the story of a genuine black sheep—George Washington Coomes, who was shot to death on September 5, 1896.
Skeletons in the Closet
Whenever I research someone’s family history, whether it’s for fun or for profit, I try to find out how they feel about “skeletons in the closet” before I start. Everyone thinks they want me to find a few—but perhaps that’s one of those things that sounds better in theory than it turns out to be in practice.
Robert Erickson, Champion Plowman
My Uncle Bob was a champion plowman, back when that kind of thing was a big deal here in the Midwest. I don’t want his story to be forgotten. How many young men of his generation ended up meeting four presidents, and competing in Europe (twice!) solely because of a remarkable ability to plow a straight furrow?
Sture Wallin, Soldier and Baseball Player
Family Stories Collection: This special collection contains a selection of family history stories submitted by our readers. Originally published Jan 02, 2015. My grandfather, Sture Nels Wallin (1892-1979) was a Nebraska farm boy, son of Swedish immigrants. But somewhere along …
Mystery Monday: The Anderson Boys – Reputations in Need of Rescue
Family Stories Collection: This special collection contains a selection of family history stories submitted by our readers. Originally published Dec 22, 2014. Sometimes it’s hard to know what to believe. I love a good skeleton in the closet as much …
Mystery Monday: The Anderson Boys – Reputations in Need of Rescue .
Big Sister Without a Name
Family Stories Collection: This special collection contains a selection of family history stories submitted by our readers. Originally published Feb 27, 2014. My father, Robert Milo Wallin (1923-1993) spent nearly all of his life thinking he was the oldest child …
A Big Brother’s Urgent Plea During World War II
Family Stories Collection: This special collection contains a selection of family history stories submitted by our readers. Originally published Jan 06, 2014. I am fortunate enough to have the letters my father wrote home during World War II. One of …
Passage to America
Family Stories Collection: This special collection contains a selection of family history stories submitted by our readers. Originally published April 30, 2014. Once you become known as the Official Family Historian, a wonderful phenomenon begins to occur. Relatives, especially older …
Mystery Monday: Seeking Relatives of Joseph Roy Crews
Family Stories Collection: This special collection contains a selection of family history stories submitted by our readers. Originally published April 21, 2014. I am looking for someone. But this time, for a change, it’s not a dead person! I have …
Mystery Monday: The Brides of Emiel Zietzke
Family Stories Collection: This special collection contains a selection of family history stories submitted by our readers. Originally published April 14, 2014. Sometimes you think you know a person… especially if that person is your father. I’ve been researching the …