Being Traditional in an Untraditional Family

Tradition means giving votes to the most obscure of all classes — our ancestors. It is the democracy of the dead. Tradition refuses to submit to the small and arrogant oligarchy of those who merely happen to be walking around.  ~ Gilbert K. Chesterton
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My family has a tradition for the holidays that seems to be [...]

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8 Things About Me*

*that you probably don’t need to know…
It’s meme time again, and this one’s an all about me meme.  I’ve been tagged by Thomas once again!  The Rules:
1. Each player starts with eight random fact/habits about themselves.
2. People who are tagged need to write their own blog about their eight things and post these rules.
3. A [...]

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Things I’m Thankful For on My Genealogical Quest

As the country celebrates Thanksgiving this week, we’re more aware than usual of how much we value our family and friends.  With regard to genealogy, I decided to write about the things I am thankful for on my genealogical journey.
1. The Library – Back in the days before the internet (No, Virginia, it did not [...]

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Forensic Photography: Alas, Poor Nicolaus!

Researchers in Poland this week confirmed that the skeletal remains found in a Frombork cathedral are indeed those of Nicolaus Copernicus.  There are many amazing things about this story.  Copernicus has been dead for 465 years, yet genetic researchers were able to confirm the remains through DNA testing, comparing DNA found in the bones to [...]

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Learn Geography to Help Your Genealogy

Geography Awareness Week (November 16-22, 2008) is drawing to a close.  I was delighted to learn about it from Lisa, who had several posts at 100 Years in America related to her ancestors’ countries.  Inspired, Jessica also took up the cause and made us all more aware of our own geographical incompetence!  Their posts made [...]

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Science Fiction for Genealogists

One of the great loves of my life has been science fiction.  After just one sentence, I can guarantee that about a quarter to a third of you readers are nodding your head in agreement, or saying, “I knew I liked her for a reason!”  But the rest of you probably groaned – that is, [...]

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Honoring Veterans Today and Always

Today is Veterans Day in the United States, a day set aside to remember and honor all veterans.  I have many relatives and friends who have served in the U.S. military.  On this day, I’d like to honor my father (USN), my brother (USMC), Frank (USN), Frank’s Dad (USN), Uncle Ken (USN), cousins BG Mike [...]

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Armistice Day and Polish Independence

Veterans Day is celebrated tomorrow in the United States.  The holiday was first established by President Wilson as Armistice Day on November 11, 1919.  The holiday originally celebrated the end of the “War to End All Wars” which formally ended at the eleventh hour on the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918.  To [...]

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You’ve Come a Long Way, Baby!

The word prompt for the 7th Edition of the Smile for the Camera carnival is Oh, Baby! The only hard thing about this topic was choosing which photos of my babies!  Well, not my babies, my NAN: Nieces and Nephew.  The acronym also conveniently fits their names as well – Natalie, Ava, and Nicholas.  That [...]

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Honor Our American Heroes

As Veterans Day approaches, I want to highlight a special effort to honor veterans, who are truly our heroes.  Since the organization is run by a friend of mine, Dan Gomez, I have confidence in the integrity of the project since he is a man of integrity himself. The group is called OPERATION H.O.A.H. and [...]

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