Push Not the River: An Interview with James C. Martin

Historical fiction does not merely tell a good story – the reader also learns about the time and place of the novel’s events.  In conclusion of What’s Past is Prologue’s celebration of Polish-American Heritage Month, I can think of no finer novel to highlight than Push Not the River by James Conroyd Martin.  Genealogists will [...]

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Michigan Polonia: An Interview with Ceil Jensen, CG

October has been a celebration of Polish-American Heritage Month here at What’s Past is Prologue.  Today I’d like to introduce my readers to Ceil Wendt Jensen, CG and her website, Michigan Polonia.  In our interview you will read about how she developed an interest in genealogy, her experiences with finding her Polish roots, and get [...]

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Loving the Phillies…It’s in My Genes

We’re nearing the end of a competition between two tough opponents.  It’s red vs. blue, but my hometown is seeing only red.  Wait – I hope you don’t think I’m talking about the election!  It’s all about baseball, America’s pastime.  More importantly, the fuss is about the “fall classic”!  The Philadelphia Phillies are poised to [...]

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Featured Site: PolandGenWeb

In our continuing celebration of Polish-American Heritage Month, What’s Past is Prologue is delighted to highlight one of the best sites on the internet devoted to Polish genealogy – PolandGenWeb.  I’ve invited PolandGenWeb’s coordinator, Marie Dallas, to tell us more about the site and what researchers can find there.  Marie and I have known each [...]

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From a Far Country

They have called [me] from a far country — far, but always so close through the communion in the Christian faith and tradition… October 16, 2008 marked the 30th anniversary of Karol Wojtyła becoming Pope John Paul II – the first Slavic Pope ever and the first non-Italian Pope since the 16th Century.  In 1978, [...]

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Polish Literature

As an English major in both college and grad school, I’ve read a fair amount of literature.  But in my entire academic life I never encountered a Polish author on the syllabus other than Joseph Conrad, who, though Polish, wrote in English and can be found in English lit books as opposed to “World” lit.  [...]

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Tagged By Thomas

Today I was tagged by Thomas of Destination: Austin Family to reveal five things about me in various categories.  While this doesn’t have much to do with genealogy, sometimes blogging is about getting to know one another.  Besides, how can I say “no” to Thomas?  Here you go… **10 years ago I: 1. was buying [...]

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Polish History and Culture Challenge Reminder

We’re nearly half-way through Polish-American Heritage Month!  Have you found the time to learn more about Polish genealogy, history, or culture?  If not, it’s not too late!  The Polish History and Culture Challenge runs for the month of October, so there is ample opportunity for you to learn more about all things Polish…even if you’re [...]

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German-American Day

Regular readers know that we’re celebrating Polish American Heritage Month during October with a special Polish History and Culture Challenge.  But today is German-American Day so I feel I owe some “equal time” to the other portion of my heritage.  So, Happy German-American Day to all!  Did you know that the first Germans came to [...]

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My Father, the Comedienne

The word prompt for the 6th Edition of the Smile for the Camera Carnival is Funny Bone: Show us that picture that never fails to bring a smile to your face! An amusing incident, a funny face, an unusual situation.  Well, I’d say that this photo combines an amusing incident, some funny faces, and a [...]

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What it Means!

Since I started What’s Past is Prologue, I’ve had many visitors find this site by searching for its title.  I presumed they were not searching for my blog in particular, but for information about who coined the famous phrase.  That’s understandable, because not many of us were fortunate enough to study The Tempest in high [...]

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