Monday, January 29, 2018
Family Footnote
By: Donovan Baldwin
As I have mentioned from time to time in other places, I do genealogy.
While researching my family tree I came across an interesting footnote.
Now, this is not about me. The man is not even in my bloodline.
After the death of my father's mother, her husband, my grandfather, married a woman named Merrell. Turns out HER father, as a sheriff, stood down a lynch mob, and the incident was recorded in a story by Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens), which was published after his death.
I claim no glory, by blood or relation, but, it feels special to be that close to history.
Not just to have a near-relative in the writings of Mark Twain, but, in the brave act of a man who upheld his duty.
Gave me chills. Way to go, great grandfather-in-law, however many times removed.
That may be the basis for a story or a poem someday.
You deserve it. I know Mark Twain did it better, but, I'm closer.
While researching my family tree I came across an interesting footnote.
Now, this is not about me. The man is not even in my bloodline.
After the death of my father's mother, her husband, my grandfather, married a woman named Merrell. Turns out HER father, as a sheriff, stood down a lynch mob, and the incident was recorded in a story by Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens), which was published after his death.
I claim no glory, by blood or relation, but, it feels special to be that close to history.
Not just to have a near-relative in the writings of Mark Twain, but, in the brave act of a man who upheld his duty.
Gave me chills. Way to go, great grandfather-in-law, however many times removed.
That may be the basis for a story or a poem someday.
You deserve it. I know Mark Twain did it better, but, I'm closer.
Labels: donovan baldwin, family, genealogy, Mark Twain
Wednesday, September 13, 2017
We All Have Stories
By Donovan Baldwin
Read a quote from Henry David Thoreau this morning: "I should not talk so much about myself if there were anybody else whom I knew as well."
I often (at least twice a day) write about myself.
Even when referencing other people and events, I am, at the least, presenting MY thoughts, just as I am now.
Most of us will never be famous, although, in today's world, we will leave a much more defined "trail" than most of our ancestors.
I do genealogy, and, before the mid-1800's, at least here in the U.S., it's hard to find out much about people unless they did something extraordinary, or, were lucky enough to get their existence recorded.
We all have stories.
In talking to people over the last 72 years, and reading their descriptions of their lives, I have found most people to be very interesting. Even so, I was a bit surprised to find how many people were interested in, or amused by, events in what I considered my mundane existence.
I write, they read...and some seem to like.
Each of you has a story.
Why not write it up?
Even if your children and grandchildren are the only ones who read it, at some point it will be valuable, interesting, informative, and, perhaps, even instructional to them.
I repeat, we all have stories, and most of us are as important as the most famous, but, are not going to have our stories told, so, let's tell our stories ourselves.
I often (at least twice a day) write about myself.
Even when referencing other people and events, I am, at the least, presenting MY thoughts, just as I am now.
Most of us will never be famous, although, in today's world, we will leave a much more defined "trail" than most of our ancestors.
I do genealogy, and, before the mid-1800's, at least here in the U.S., it's hard to find out much about people unless they did something extraordinary, or, were lucky enough to get their existence recorded.
We all have stories.
In talking to people over the last 72 years, and reading their descriptions of their lives, I have found most people to be very interesting. Even so, I was a bit surprised to find how many people were interested in, or amused by, events in what I considered my mundane existence.
I write, they read...and some seem to like.
Each of you has a story.
Why not write it up?
Even if your children and grandchildren are the only ones who read it, at some point it will be valuable, interesting, informative, and, perhaps, even instructional to them.
I repeat, we all have stories, and most of us are as important as the most famous, but, are not going to have our stories told, so, let's tell our stories ourselves.
Labels: donovan baldwin, genealogy, Henry David Thoreau, write, write your story
