Johann Jakob Lenz was born in Beutelsbach, Germany among the vineyards on July 25, 1712 to Johann Georg Lenz and Sibilla Muller. Unlike other Lenz men for generations, he is not referred to as a weingartner, or vine tender in … Continue reading
We’ve gathered quite a bit of information about Michael McDowell, here, here and here, but not so about his wife, Isabel. It appears that Isabel lived to be at least 87 years old and possibly as old as 97 years. … Continue reading
This is the third article of a multi-part series about my trip to Australia and New Zealand. You can read about Australia, here, and Tasmania, here. My Phone Becomes My Camera I’ve received numerous questions about what camera I’m using. … Continue reading
While we have very few records about Sarah, directly, during her lifetime, we do know a substantial amount due to the Shepherd Bible that begins with her birth. Sarah’s Birth The Bible says that Sarah Shepherd, formerly Sarah Rash, daughter … Continue reading
Late last night, the son of my mother’s dance partner, Mary Tan Hai, reached out to me after googling his mother’s name during the time she danced in Chicago and found my 52 ancestors article about Mary and mother dancing … Continue reading
My Dearest Brother, Dave. You’re either famous or infamous, or both. That’s not news to you though! You’d be pleased about both, or either. Yep, Libby Copeland tells our story today, including the secret you never knew, in an article … Continue reading
This is part 2 of a multi-part series about my trip down under to Australia and New Zealand. You can read part one about my adventures in Sydney, outside Melbourne and in the Blue Mountains of Australia, here. This trip … Continue reading
What, you might be thinking – this doesn’t LOOK like a 52 Ancestors article. That’s because this one is somewhat different. I’m writing it for you, and for my descendants. Plus, Mom does make a cameo appearance is a rather … Continue reading
I’m incredibly indebted to a cousin, David Stielow, with whom I corresponded in 1991 about the Shepherd family. David proudly signed his correspondence with “6 great-grandson of Robert and Sarah (Rash) Shepherd.” Unfortunately, I lost touch with David decades ago. … Continue reading
Jane Campbell Freeman wasn’t my ancestor, but she was my ancestor’s sister. I might not have paid much attention to Jane were it not for the legislative case and associated scandal that like a whirlpool engulfed her life. Jane was, … Continue reading
