Independence Day

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

On my writing chapter's listserve, someone posted an article about the fates of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. Very moving about their sacrifices.

Knowing people's stories is what draws me to doing genealogy. I'm both fascinated and proud of what I've learned so far about my ancestors. Just this past year I learned that I'm one of the million descendants of the Mayflower Pilgrims [my ancestor was the one who was swept overboard but caught a line and was saved]. Between 1620 and 1650's, the most direct lines of my family settled in Virginia and Maryland. They served on colonial assemblies and were sheriffs, lawyers and planters.

One ancestor lost everything in the religious war in the 1650's in Maryland. Family legend is another was hung by the Tories during the Revolution. One family lost their homestead in the aftermath of the Revolution with three brothers heading west and the other three brothers staying east. I'm a descendant of one of the westward-ho brothers who settled in Ohio.

As much as I can determine, family members have served in nearly every conflict beginning with the Revolution [the only conflict that I haven't pinpointed yet is the Korean War].

So here's to the colonial settlers, founding fathers and all those who have served and continue to serve this country.

Have a Happy and Safe Independence Day! Carol