Wordless Wednesday: First World War

This week's family photo...

A Father’s Day Reunion

I've never been to a family reunion, but a few weeks ago, I found a copy of a newspaper article about a Father's Day family reunion held in 1945. It's a story from the almost-but-not-quite-related side of my family tree; my great-grandmother's sister's husband's sister never had any children, but she helped to raise my [...]

There’s Another Musician in the Family, After All

I love to sing; I wouldn't say I'll be famous anytime soon, but I took all of the music theory classes offered in school and am always singing around the house. I'm the only one, though: the music gene seems to have skipped everyone in my family, and they've never been interested in reading music [...]

A Soldier’s Lament

James William Cole was born on October 18, 1893 in Red Oak, Ohio to Alfred and Louella (Hook) Cole, the oldest of three children. On September 21, 1917, at the age of 23, J.W. enlisted in the 126th Company of the Army National Guard, leaving behind a wife and child at home to serve in [...]

Workin’ on the Railroad

Ward Earl Smith (Left) & Raymond Lee Smith (Seated) The Northern Pacific Railway Company issued each new employee a copy of their "Consolidated Code of Operating Rules" before starting on the job; the rules begin with a General Notice: "Safety is of the first importance in the discharge of duty. Obedience to the rules is [...]