How I Introduce Myself to the Current Residents of an Ancestral Home

How I Introduce Myself to the Current Residents of an Ancestral Home

I finally stood in front of the Hanley homestead in Atlantic Mine, a house I’d heard about all my life. Instead of knocking, I left a letter — though not before giving in to the temptation of the doorbell. This is the story of that visit, the family lore tied to the house, and what it meant to leave something behind.

A Man on the Lawn at Bull and Youngblood Grocery - Middletown, New York

A Man on the Lawn at Bull and Youngblood Grocery - Middletown, New York

A man poses on the lawn outside Bull and Youngblood Grocery in Middletown, NY, around 1895. The photo offers a glimpse of North Street’s shifting landmarks and everyday life more than a century ago.

Genealogy Oops! How I Discovered My 2nd Great-Grandfather Wasn't Who I Thought

Genealogy Oops! How I Discovered My 2nd Great-Grandfather Wasn't Who I Thought

I made a classic genealogy mistake—one that many of us fear but few of us want to admit: I confidently added the wrong man to my family tree. Here is how I did it and how I intend to fix it.

Men of Metal: A 1912 Portrait of Saginaw Tin Craftsman Frank G. Griffin

Men of Metal: A 1912 Portrait of Saginaw Tin Craftsman Frank G. Griffin

This remarkable photograph, taken around 1912, captures the storefront of Frank G. Griffin’s tin shop located at 216 Germania Avenue (now Federal Avenue) on the east side of Saginaw, Michigan.

Doors, Windows, and Blinds - Discovering H. E. Ellms and Co. (Boston, MA)

Doors, Windows, and Blinds - Discovering H. E. Ellms and Co. (Boston, MA)

Here is a lovely interior photo of an early 1900s doors, windows, and blinds purveyor in Boston, MA.

Saginaw Ship Building Company - 1918

Saginaw Ship Building Company - 1918

This historical photograph captures the launch of the Lake Pachuta, the first ship built by the Saginaw Ship Building Company in 1918.

Mary Taft and Grace Jefferson - September 13, 1899

Mary Taft and Grace Jefferson - September 13, 1899

Find Their Story #9 - What a sweet image of Mary Taft and Grace Jefferson enjoying a sunny day on a porch under the shade of a parasol.

Harrison Coleman's Undertaking and Livery - Saginaw, Michigan

Harrison Coleman's Undertaking and Livery - Saginaw, Michigan

Here is the inaugural post from our new blog contributor, Ryan Lyden, about his photo showing Harrison Coleman’s undertaking and livery business in Saginaw, Michigan around 1900.

The Milligan Children and Their Grandparents? Who Were the Johnsons of Clarksville, California?

The Milligan Children and Their Grandparents? Who Were the Johnsons of Clarksville, California?

Find Their Story #8 - Here is a beautiful family portrait, perhaps showing a married couple (the Johnons of Clarksville, CA) with two of their grandchildren (the Milligans). The photo was sent to “Mr. and Mrs. Sprague.

Five Hats, Five Stories: The Mystery Women of Osceola

Five Hats, Five Stories: The Mystery Women of Osceola

Find Their Story #7 Here is a lovely cabinet card photograph of five women, presumably sisters, from Osceola, Iowa donning delightful hats.

Cora Eda Rindchen Schlott (1873-1944)

Cora Eda Rindchen Schlott (1873-1944)

Find Their Story #6 - Cora Eda Rindchen Schlott (1873-1944)

"I think she has a sad but lovely face like a Madonna"

"I think she has a sad but lovely face like a Madonna"

Find Their Story #5: “I think she has a sad but lovely face like a Madonna”

Mildred Marie Schlott Holyoke (1900-1977) Canton, Ohio

Mildred Marie Schlott Holyoke (1900-1977) Canton, Ohio

Find Their Story #4: Mildred Marie Schlott Holyoke (1900-1977)

John and Alice Rindchen - East Tuscarawas St. - Canton, Ohio

John and Alice Rindchen - East Tuscarawas St. - Canton, Ohio

Find Their Story #3: “Uncle” John and “Aunt” Alice Rindchen on East Tuscarawas St. in Canton Ohio.

Hiram van Vorris - Canton, Ohio

Hiram van Vorris - Canton, Ohio

Find Their Story #2: Hiram Van Vorris- Canton Ohio

Philadelphia Jewish Hospital School of Nursing (Einstein Hospital) 1928

Philadelphia Jewish Hospital School of Nursing (Einstein Hospital) 1928

Find Their Story #1: A 1928 class photo of nurses at “Einstein Hospital” which, at the time, was called The Philadelphia Jewish Hospital School of Nursing.

Isaac Benson Chapman (1888-1952) of Columbus, Ohio?

Isaac Benson Chapman (1888-1952) of Columbus, Ohio?

A mystery photo identified (perhaps incorrectly) as Isaac Benson Chapman (1888-1952) of Columbus, Ohio some time in the very early 1900s.

The $5.00 Champion Brooder - J. A. Bennett and Sons, Gouverneur, New York

The $5.00 Champion Brooder - J. A. Bennett and Sons, Gouverneur, New York

The story or James A. Bennett (1842-1920) and his sons of Gouverneur, New York.

Pelham High School - New York (1916)

Pelham High School - New York (1916)

This found photo shows the Pelham High School in Pelham, NY around 1916.

Thrice Robbed, Minneapolis Grocer Charles J. Anderson (1857-1936) Learns "The Methods of Banditry"

Thrice Robbed, Minneapolis Grocer Charles J. Anderson (1857-1936) Learns "The Methods of Banditry"

Charles J. Anderson (1857-1936) of Minneapolis, Minnesota in his grocery store at 2600 Bryant Ave. North. His store was robbed three times in two years.