Continuing the Story
Family history is a living story—without a beginning or end.
There are always new discoveries to be made about the lives of ancestors, with records emerging that either confirm or challenge long-held beliefs. As we uncover the past, we also create the future—each new generation adding its own chapter to the narrative. The Fortitude Blog, written by award-winning author Dale Spaulding, is dedicated to exploring this ever-evolving tapestry of family stories as they intersect with history. The Texas State Genealogical Society (TxSGS) awarded the Fortitude Blog 1st Place in its 2025 Writing Award category for Individual Blogs.
Latest Posts
Two Presidents, Two Wars, Two April’s—Separated by 80 Years
You’ve probably heard the saying “history repeats itself”—the idea that human behavior and major events tend to follow familiar patterns over time. This phenomenon is known as historical recurrence. History often repeats itself in recognizable ways. When we study the past, we notice that many events share similarities, whether it’s major…
Valor Remembered: History of the Medal of Honor and a Soldier Who Earned It
The Medal of Honor is the highest military award for valor in the United States, presented by the President to service members who distinguish themselves in combat through “conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty”.1 In this month’s Fortitude post, I delve into the…
Patriot Prisoners: Spaulding POWs in the American Revolution
As we enter 2026—the year marking the 250th anniversary of the United States—I’m reminded of the remarkable stories that shaped our nation’s beginning. In past posts of The Fortitude Blog, I’ve explored many facets of the American Revolution, including: Sons of the Founding Fathers, An Unsung Hero: The Story of Joseph Warren,…
History’s Forgotten Marksman: Joseph Spaulding at Bunker Hill
This is the story of Joseph Spaulding—an American Patriot who took part in the American Revolution right from the start. He fought at the Battle of Lexington and Concord which was the first skirmish of the war where the “shot heard round the world” was fired. But it was at the…
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