This is a moment total, unashamed, self-promotion. I would urge everyone to take a look at the "making connections" section, or the letters to the editor, of the Family Tree Magazine. Dated November 2010, the issue just arrived in my mailbox. An incredibly wise author, namely me, took issue with the "Family Archivist" column of the August magazine.
The point of my letter is that encapsulation, the topic of the August column, is not always appropriate for saving family documents. And, I thought the columnist failed to point this out. So, the "rabble rouser" part of my personality has emerged on the pages of this most prestigious magazine.
Be sure to take a look at it. I am quite proud.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Thursday, August 19, 2010
More on Camp Lawton
More information about the Union soldiers imprisoned at Camp Lawton, here in Georgia.
http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/08/17/georgia.civil.war.camp/index.html?hpt=Mid
Very interesting material.
http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/08/17/georgia.civil.war.camp/index.html?hpt=Mid
Very interesting material.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Major Civil War Find in Southeast Georgia!
For nearly 150 years the exact location of Camp Lawton has been a mystery. Few people beyond the most dedicated Civil War scholars knew of the POW camp that served as the overflow from Andersonville. Georgia Southern University archealogy students have uncovered the location of the camp.
read more at:
http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/08/14/georgia.civil.war.camp/index.html
An interesting story.
read more at:
http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/08/14/georgia.civil.war.camp/index.html
An interesting story.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
It Really Does Take a Village
As the discussion about adoption and tracking unknown ancestors becomes more prevalent, I am continuously reminded of the title of Hilary Clinton's book It Takes a Village. I keep thinking that in the day of adoption and the medical miracles of artificial insemination, research into ancestry takes new and challenging courses. Here is one example of the new challenges and new answers:
http://www.cnn.com/2010/LIVING/08/11/sperm.donor.sibling.connect/index.html?hpt=Sbin
The donor sibling registry and other methods of tracking ancestry is moving as rapidly as new technologies will allow.
http://www.cnn.com/2010/LIVING/08/11/sperm.donor.sibling.connect/index.html?hpt=Sbin
The donor sibling registry and other methods of tracking ancestry is moving as rapidly as new technologies will allow.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Where are the immigrants?
Recently I have been working to document immigration and immigrant activity in Atlanta, Ga. Specifically, I have been trying to identify the influence of “new immigrants,” the wave of European immigrants coming to the United States between 1880 and 1930. My research includes ethnic groups such as the Italians, Greeks, Poles, Slavs and other Eastern and Southern immigrants. As I search, something interesting is happening; these new immigrants are nearly invisible in Atlanta.
I know the Greek community was well established in Atlanta. After all, in 1928 the Greek Orthodox Church consecrated a small chapel at Greenwood Cemetery. There are also a large number of graves in the Greek section of the cemetery. So, there is some evidence that the Greek community existed in Atlanta, yet I find nothing written about them. The same is true of the Italian community and other European communities in Atlanta. Where did all of these immigrants go? Did they assimilate so quickly and effectively that any evidence of their migration is gone? What happened to the “new immigrants?”
Was the city founded only by United States citizens with a smattering of Irish and German immigrants, with the occasional French family thrown into the mix? It is unfortunate that so little is being developed or written about the “new Immigrants” that settled in Atlanta. It is a topic that needs to be encouraged and promoted. We need more research on ethnic groups in Atlanta, and for that matter the state of Georgia as a whole.
I know the Greek community was well established in Atlanta. After all, in 1928 the Greek Orthodox Church consecrated a small chapel at Greenwood Cemetery. There are also a large number of graves in the Greek section of the cemetery. So, there is some evidence that the Greek community existed in Atlanta, yet I find nothing written about them. The same is true of the Italian community and other European communities in Atlanta. Where did all of these immigrants go? Did they assimilate so quickly and effectively that any evidence of their migration is gone? What happened to the “new immigrants?”
Was the city founded only by United States citizens with a smattering of Irish and German immigrants, with the occasional French family thrown into the mix? It is unfortunate that so little is being developed or written about the “new Immigrants” that settled in Atlanta. It is a topic that needs to be encouraged and promoted. We need more research on ethnic groups in Atlanta, and for that matter the state of Georgia as a whole.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
New Roosevelt Papers
The New York Times has reported on a new collection of papers related to President Franklin Roosevelt. from the description, these pages will provide some interesting information regarding Roosevelt, the 1930s Depression, and World War II.
Read more at:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/29/us/29fdr.html?hp
Read more at:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/29/us/29fdr.html?hp
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Why I Collect Oral History
The other day I collected an oral history from a man nearing his 80th birthday. After recording a portion of his life story I began to think about the process and the justifications for collecting oral histories. Before I go too far, I should include the disclaimer that yes more than a few people see me as a bit unusual. To quote one, former employer, “Mike is an odd little fellow.” So, I can accept the strange looks and uncomfortable laughter when I tell people I collect oral histories as an avocation, something I do simply because I enjoy it.
But, back to the main point, I met with John the other day and after interviewing him, it occurred to me that the clichés that are thrown out about the importance of oral histories are true. The saying, “when a man dies, a library is burned,” or “there is no such thing as a boring life,” these accurately sum up my thinking about collecting oral histories. Every story is important. Every detail is worth telling and saving. More students of local history, family history, and genealogy ought to be encouraged to collect more oral history.
Every man and woman is an interesting story waiting to be unveiled and recorded. The small dramas in our lives; the major decisions we make; and the challenges that we face all make up a lifetime of fascinating history. And these stories need to be recorded and told. John had some interesting stories to tell: about his military service in Korea and his life after the war. He told me about meeting his wife, raising his children, and working hard to provide for them. Although we only spoke for forty-five minutes, this brief live story is a fascinating study in life and well worth the time to record, transcribe and review.
Collecting oral histories is an interesting process. It provides a sense of achievement and satisfaction to both the collector and the subject. This may be something I do in my spare time, and my friends have accepted me as “that odd little fellow.” But the pleasure of the process encourages me to promote the idea that more people should collect oral histories and save family histories through tapes, cd’s and transcriptions. After all, “there is no such thing as a boring life.”
But, back to the main point, I met with John the other day and after interviewing him, it occurred to me that the clichés that are thrown out about the importance of oral histories are true. The saying, “when a man dies, a library is burned,” or “there is no such thing as a boring life,” these accurately sum up my thinking about collecting oral histories. Every story is important. Every detail is worth telling and saving. More students of local history, family history, and genealogy ought to be encouraged to collect more oral history.
Every man and woman is an interesting story waiting to be unveiled and recorded. The small dramas in our lives; the major decisions we make; and the challenges that we face all make up a lifetime of fascinating history. And these stories need to be recorded and told. John had some interesting stories to tell: about his military service in Korea and his life after the war. He told me about meeting his wife, raising his children, and working hard to provide for them. Although we only spoke for forty-five minutes, this brief live story is a fascinating study in life and well worth the time to record, transcribe and review.
Collecting oral histories is an interesting process. It provides a sense of achievement and satisfaction to both the collector and the subject. This may be something I do in my spare time, and my friends have accepted me as “that odd little fellow.” But the pleasure of the process encourages me to promote the idea that more people should collect oral histories and save family histories through tapes, cd’s and transcriptions. After all, “there is no such thing as a boring life.”
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