Genealogy – Main Street Plaza

The Watermelon Analogy

November 2, 2013 chanson6

My father knew how to choose a good watermelon. First of all, he would put his thumbnail into the skin. If it went in easily it was ripe. Another test was to heft it. A heavy melon is usually a ripe melon. Then he would look at the light-colored patch on the bottom. If it […]

Echols County, Georgia, 1884

June 25, 2010June 25, 2010 Chino Blanco0

The court determines that Sam Echols is not a proper person to raise a child, owing to his opinions. My great-great-grandfather determines that his zeal for the (Mormon) faith will be his best revenge.

And now for some real family history!

May 14, 2009 chanson4

That’s right, you no longer have to settle for silly second and third-hand stories about the Aurora Branch. Now it’s time to hear about it from the horse’s mouth! What do you remember about those days? Climbing the stairs to the second floor of the Odd Fellows Hall where the branch met for about 20 […]

Thoughts of Nancy

September 3, 2008October 20, 2010 chanson17

It’s kind of a strange family history claim to fame: My great-great-great-great aunt, Nancy Winchester, was one of Joseph Smith’s youngest teen brides. She was fourteen or fifteen years old in 1842(3?) when she married the prophet; he was in his late thirties and was killed a year or so later. I’ve wanted to write […]

Sex, One Hundred Years Later

May 22, 2007January 15, 2011 Hellmut4

In the spirit of HÃ¼ffenhardt, it is my pleasure to inform you that the musical Spring Awakening has been nominated for eleven Tonies.

Ancestry I’m not so proud of…

April 3, 2007January 15, 2011 aerin647

Like many multi-generational mormons and former mormons, I have mixed feelings about my ancestry. Because of the obsession with genealogy, I actually have an extensive knowledge about just who my ancestors were. Hueffenhardt’s post about genealogy got me thinking. I have many ancestors that I’m proud of. Some who crossed the plains as pioneers. One […]

Genealogy – Its Continued Significance to One Post-Mormon

March 13, 2007October 20, 2010 Hueffenhardt16

One constant for me throughout my recent changes in religious belief has been an interest in genealogy, although even that has changed in its meaning and purpose. When I was Mormon, I participated in genealogy to extend the blessings of the restoration to my dead ancestors and because I was fascinated by the lives and […]