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  • Nov6

    This is not specifically genealogy related, but is a point in history where it is obvious that we as a country have not learned the lessons of history and I needed to place these thoughts somewhere, if only for myself.

    History is Genealogy, they are inextricable.
    What our ancestors experienced and created, we live with.
    The society we espouse today will affect our descendants.
    Many have chosen to embrace hate and division, or at least tell themselves that what they are seeing are not those things.
    The effect is the same.

    November 6, 2024

    I think the most hurtful thing is that so many “good people” have just ignored all of the teachings of their church or the secular rules of morality and ethics and have bamboozled themselves into believing that a lying, awful, divisive and hate-filled person is somehow our national savior.

    My question, that I cannot answer, is “Are they still good people?”
    I can and have disagreed with many people on various topics, but this has pushed well beyond the veil of my grace and I will have a hard time looking at people the same way.

    In reality, most of my family’s lives will be the same.
    White people have it easier.
    Women in NY still have rights.

    There are so many others in other locations and with other backgrounds that will not have that.

    Yet the followers and beneficiaries of ingrained societal privilege have concocted this fantasy that they have somehow been robbed of their rights and that the answer is to strip others of their own using some corrupted moral compass that has been viewed through the wrong end of a hateful telescope.

    They think divisiveness breeds strength, when it just brings more divisiveness.

    We are a nation mainly descended from immigrants, whose strength was cemented by the melding of our differences (as imperfect as that has been), the “huddled masses yearning to breathe free” – but many have decided the door should not only be closed, but bolted and nailed.

    To be clear, the current divisiveness is not solely of immigration and the opinions that fosters. That is but one bolt used to stitch whole cloth the tropes, scare tactics, and bullying designed to concentrate power through fear and cover the light of true equality, truth, and compassion.

    In one of Lincoln’s most famous speeches he said, “A house divided against itself cannot stand.”

    But we can’t let that thought deter us or break our optimism. His speech ended with –

    “Of strange, discordant, and even, hostile elements, we gathered from the four winds, and formed and fought the battle through, under the constant hot fire of a disciplined, proud, and pampered enemy.

    Did we brave all then, to falter now?—now—when that same enemy is wavering, dissevered and belligerent?

    The result is not doubtful. We shall not fail—if we stand firm, we shall not fail. Wise councils may accelerate or mistakes delay it, but, sooner or later the victory is sure to come.”

  • Feb22

    Earlier today I read an article on the Meuse-Argonne Offensive of World War I, which started 100 years ago today and left 26,000 men killed. My great-uncle Michael E. Tierney had been a wagoner in supply support for the 324th infantry which fought in that battle. It had been awhile since I had looked through his military service records that I obtained from the NARA, so I pulled up the PDF and had a look through.

    So first, a sideline: Detail from detachment records for Michael E. Tierney, WWI (source: NARA)One thing I found oddly intriguing was in some details of his detachment and pay records once he returned to the United States in 1919. There’s a section for “Clothing Settlements” that appears to be an accounting of uniform-related items (?) when the soldier is separated from active service. A couple of the lines have the US due $15.00 and $6.60 for something or other (I can’t really read what the notes say.) But, in one of the lines, under the “Balance Due Soldier” column is the figure ($10000.00) . What could THAT possibly be? Did he forget to return his wagon or truck?

    Well, no matter I suppose. What I really wanted to focus on in this post was the introduction to a book of photos I found relating to the Meuse-Argonne area fight. In Pictures of the battlefront of the 324th infantry: Meuse-Argonne, November 9-11, 1918, company Chaplain T. G. Vickers returned to the area the year after the battle to take a large number of photos.

    DedicationHe also wrote what I find to be a very well-put sentiment on the need for men to stand up on the side of the Right* and that the men that have shared his terrible experience in this battle and the war overall will need to stand up and help steer the ship of the United States in a positive direction – while pointing out that the United States’ reaching a welcome and righteous destination is far from guaranteed.

    (*Read “The Right” as the Honorable or Moral position, as opposed to a political standpoint is it is more often used today.)

    I do not use this genealogy blog to espouse particular political agendas, but I do think his experiences make his perspective one worth listening to, and the strength of his words lingers in my mind as I think of our current events. Vickers says,

    Such a body of men assembled for battle makes a serious situation for the enemy. Such a body of men scattered throughout the country in their homes and home communities makes a leavening element that will go a long way toward helping to make America an invincible force for right in the world, or a selfish, money-grabbing, power-drunk giant which will not only consume others, but must certainly come to destruction itself.

    He goes on to say…

    America needs manly, unafraid, unselfish men every- where as she needs nothing else.
    Politics needs to be purged of its self-seeking, unscrupulous elements in order that our government may serve the ends for which it exists. It is imperative that there be born a feeling of brotherliness and co-operation among Capital, Labor and the Public. Wherever you look there is the same call for men who will do their work not only with an eye to their own rights, but also with due consideration for the other fellow.
    Social life needs to be cleared of some of its dangers. In Church, in politics, in industry, in business, in the social fabric, in international matters, in everything there is the same urgent demand, nay, pressing necessity for men who have seen the value of Right, that they may decree by the irresistible force of their determined convictions that this country shall not become the victim of selfish or half-crazed men seeking to ram some pet scheme down the nation’s throat.
    If we who fought in the Great War make up our minds that America shall go right she will go right, and no power can lead her astray. It is the man determined to live according to Truth and Right that must keep this land safe.

    I strongly suggest you read his entire dedication and page through his photos and their captions.

  • Feb22


    Reasons They Don't Respond To DNA Matches

  • Jul19

    Hello! Yes, I realize I have let this genealogy blog languish a bit, because, you know, LIFE. I do have some ideas for new posts and tools, so stay tuned.

    Cindy's CastleBut, Now for something completely different, and non-genealogy-ly: One of the other interests in my bag of, well, interests, is Disney.

    I love the history of it, the creativity, theming, Imagi-engin-coolstuff-ineering. As such, I am a frequent flyer on the forums and chat over on the super-useful Touring Plans site, app, and community.

    (I wish I were a more frequent visitor to Walt Disney World, but you know: MONEY, and I’m kinda attached to living in a house and eating food the rest of the year.)

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    If you haven’t heard of Touring Plans before, I highly suggest subscribing to their site if you are planning a trip to Disney World. For a measly $12 or so you can set up plans to very much minimize your waits in the park and provide all sorts of useful info.

     

    Because, in case you haven’t been to Disney World in awhile: if you don’t want to live the Attack on Aqaba scene from Lawrence of Arabia on your trip, you gotta plan, man.

    Perhaps as useful as all of TP’s tools is the community in their forums and chat: you will not find a group more dedicated to helping others with the ins and outs of touring the parks. I have learned so much from everyone over the years. An even plus-ier plus is that the chat is often a hilarious place to be.

    Are We There Yeti?So, the reason for this post: in my years as a member of that community, I have put together spreadsheets for figuring out Disney Math such as if it is Worth It To Upgrade To A WDW Annual Pass (how is it NOT?)

    I have also published maps for urgent care centers near WDW, outlet shops, and a tactic to get a good spot for watching the Happily Ever After fireworks in the Magic Kingdom without the complete inevitability of shoulder-based tiny humans blocking your view.

    I have written stream of consciousness posts that ask such eternal questions as how a cast member (read: Disney employee) cleared a problem when we were Stuck at Tapstile and I use that post to add links to interesting articles on Disney-related tech.

    Teacups!At this point I think I need to launch my own Disney fan site. But until then I have created a page here to make things easier to find: “JJT’s Touring Plans Forum Posts and Maps Reference” has a compilation of links to all of my most frequently referenced posts. You can also find a link to said page by hovering your mouse over the Tools & Downloads menu above.

    May The Mouse Be With You.

  • Jan30

    Average request on Facebook photo restoration group.


    Family Photo Request