Amidst the agony and pain of observing my parents increasingly debilitating aging process, we also have experienced a sprinkling of moments that remind us of better days when all their faculties were present and they were high functioning adults who volunteered and thrived within their family, friends, and social circles. I remember my dad, Frank … Continue reading YOLO–Carpe Diem, Folks!
Maryland
They Migrated From Maryland to Virginia – Just 300 Years Apart
Our eldest son moved his family from Maryland to Lynchburg in Virginia's Southern Piedmont Valley about 12 years ago to allow his sons to attend Christian colleges there. He knew little of the area's history but found a home and a job just outside Bedford County and the City of Lynchburg. As it turns out, … Continue reading They Migrated From Maryland to Virginia – Just 300 Years Apart
The Chesapeake Bay and Our Native American Heritage
This post focuses on our Native American heritage who resided along the borders of the Chesapeake Bay. Digressing just a little into my lineage, my paternal Bolling ancestors were among the first in Jamestown and my maternal Lathrop ancestors the first in New England. My ninth great-grandfather, Colonel Robert Bolling married Pocahontas' granddaughter, Jane Poythress … Continue reading The Chesapeake Bay and Our Native American Heritage
FORESTVILLE–1700′s to 1900′s
Tucked away in the basement of the Greenbelt Public Library in the old town of Greenbelt on 11 Crescent Avenue, is a single room packed to the brim with historical information within the collections of the Frederick S. DeMarr Library of County History. It was here, among the many shelves of old documents, books, maps, newspapers, and … Continue reading FORESTVILLE–1700′s to 1900′s
Revisiting a 20-Year-Old Oral History from Frank and Norma Boling
Oral History Interview American Studies Class – 1993 the University of Maryland, Baltimore Campus By Student, Jennifer L. Dickinson About the Interviewees Frank Burton and Norma Florence (Ford) Boling [my maternal grandparents] are in their mid-60's. Frank is a retired Federal Government Employee—a pressman by trade. [Born in the mid-1920’s, and married in their teens], … Continue reading Revisiting a 20-Year-Old Oral History from Frank and Norma Boling
Drawn to the Dogs: Part 3–Dogs are Family, Too!
Contributing Author--My Son, Jeff Adventurers at Heart Our children, Bobby, 14; Jeff, 12; and Jennifer 7, were always adventurers at heart. I like to think they got this trait from me, and I got it from my maternal grandmother, Loretta Lathrop Ford. I wish so very much that they had had a chance to know … Continue reading Drawn to the Dogs: Part 3–Dogs are Family, Too!
Think Family–Act from a Global and Humanitarian Perspective
My Direct Line and Extended Family When I initially think "family" I immediately think about my parents and our family's blessing of five living lines of descent--21 people in all: children (3), grandchildren (9), great-grandchildren (7), and great-great grandchildren (2). We are very fortunate that all but five of our direct blood line still reside … Continue reading Think Family–Act from a Global and Humanitarian Perspective
THANKFUL THURSDAY: The Best Things In Life Are Free – Part 1
The best things in life are free, especially the gifts of our ancestors whose trailblazing contributions started first in the colony of Virginia (Jamestown, 1607) and then in Plymouth (1620) over 400 years ago. These settlers from England, Wales, Scotland, Holland, and Ireland bonded together to form our religious, social, business and industry, government, education, … Continue reading THANKFUL THURSDAY: The Best Things In Life Are Free – Part 1
Our Unbounded Heritage: 12th Century & Beyond 