July 1-3, 1863 marked the turning point in the American Civil War. In a small town in central Pennsylvania, a massive force of Union and Confederate troops clashed at a place called Gettysburg. Gettysburg was the “High Water Mark” of the Confederate Army’s penetration into the north. The fate of the republic was at stake – ifContinue reading “A Family’s Fight: The Spauldings at Gettysburg”
Tag Archives: Spalding
The Arrival Debate
This is the immigration story of my 9th great-grandfather, Edward Spalding (1601-1669), the progenitor of the Massachusetts branch of the Spalding/Spaulding family, and the first to bring the surname from England to the New World.1 Arrival Theories Historical and genealogical research is exhilarating, challenging, and yes at times, frustrating. New evidence is discovered each year,Continue reading “The Arrival Debate”
A 400 Year Legacy of Faith
Last month (May 2024) marked the two-year anniversary of the publishing of my book, Fortitude: Preserving 400 Years of an American Family’s Faith, Patriotism, Grit and Determination. In the course researching and writing the book, I noted several ancestral attributes consistent throughout the centuries. As I reflected on the stories I’ve discovered, several words describing the characterContinue reading “A 400 Year Legacy of Faith”
Repatriation: The Bodies of War
May is an introspective month on the calendar each year in the United States as it concludes with Memorial Day. As I reflect on Memorial Day this year, my thoughts take me back to World War I. This month’s post wasn’t easy to write, and may not be comfortable to read, but it’s a storyContinue reading “Repatriation: The Bodies of War”
Mr. Baseball
March is here and the seasons are changing from winter to spring. The Super Bowl is in the history books and despondent football fans have begun the agonizing seven-month wait for fall. But, take heart, baseball season is here! And, if you close your eyes, open your imagination, and take a deep breath, you justContinue reading “Mr. Baseball”
A Civil War Chaplain’s Story
This is the fourth and final post in a series on the American Civil War. In this series, I described the three combat arms used during the Civil War to accomplish military objectives (cavalry, infantry, and artillery) to include the story of a Spaulding family member who served in each of these roles. In thisContinue reading “A Civil War Chaplain’s Story”
The History of Names
Have your ever wondered about the story behind your given (or first) name? Perhaps you were named after an ancestor, or someone that your mother and father admired or respected. Have you ever considered when your given name originated? Were you named after a biblical character from long ago? In today’s post, I’ll first exploreContinue reading “The History of Names”
Family Aviators – Separated by 160 Years
Sometimes history surprises us. It’s even said that history repeats itself. Events of the past can become events of the present. The concept of history repeating itself is also known as historic recurrence. “History is merely a list of surprises. It can only prepare us to be surprised yet again.” -Kurt Vonnegut Jr., American Author and EssayistContinue reading “Family Aviators – Separated by 160 Years”
Veterans Day Reflections
Each year on November 11th, we observe Veterans Day which had its beginnings with Armistice Day. The Armistice, that brought an end to World War I, was signed in France, at 11 a.m. on November 11, 1918 which was the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. Twenty years later in 1938, Armistice Day becameContinue reading “Veterans Day Reflections”
The Forefathers Burying Ground
I’m pretty confident that your bucket list of those “must sees” before your time on earth is up doesn’t include trips to old cemeteries. Skydiving perhaps or an exhilarating bungie jump off a bridge, but sauntering through the grounds of a timeworn cemetery may not be at the top of your “to do” list. BearContinue reading “The Forefathers Burying Ground”
Fortitude 