Roots of Patriotism Run Deep

   
 It has been fascinating to find similarities among various people from one lineage, especially since these people sometimes span several generations.  For instance, my husband, by nature, is very interested in politics.  He keeps informed of current events.  He loves this country and his freedoms, guaranteed by the Constitution written long ago by his heroes, the Founding Fathers.  Somewhat of a rebel, he is not afraid to voice his political opinion, even if he is surrounded by people with opposing views.  Interestingly, his ancestry is filled with frontiersmen, rebels and patriots--men just like him.
     One such patriot was Capt. Henry Rhoads.  History records that Capt. Rhoads served with Gen. Washington and spent that awful winter with the general at Valley Forge.  Capt. Rhoads later settled the frontier of Kentucky and represented his area in the state legislature.  My husband really admires this particular ancestor of his.  He feels connected to him.  Imagine his pleasure when I discovered that he and this forefather, whom he so admires, share the same day and month of birth!
   

Save the Livery

Recently, I was asked to write a couple of paragraphs stating why the livery stable in Fountain should receive funds for its preservation.  My letter along with others will be presented before a committee who will make the decision.  The letter follows:

To Whom It May Concern:

I am writing in support of the historic preservation of the structure known as the livery stable located in Fountain, Colorado.  While there is more research needed into the historic details of this building, it remains one of Fountain’s few existing original structures.  The livery is very unique because it was constructed with large cobbles.  The first glance at the rock structure sparks interest in its history.  Maintenance on the stable has been neglected over the years, and Fountain stands to lose one of its treasures if repairs and reinforcements to the structure are not addressed soon. 

Repairing the old building is just the first step in securing a variety of possibilities for the livery.  Rescuing the structure from demolition would keep it on Fountain’s walking tour of historic buildings.  Should the city ever acquire ownership of the stable, it could be used for educational opportunities, with displays and demonstrations, for local school children, curious visitors, and those with genealogical ties to historic Fountain.  Preserving the rock livery helps to preserve Fountain’s history, as well as the history of liveries and rock buildings in general wherever they may have been located in the United States.  

 

Genealogy Skills

I haven't posted anything recently because I have been working on a book project for Arcadia Publishing.  In case any of you readers have not discovered Arcadia's little history books, they are amazingly wonderful.  The "Images of America" series contains books published about hundreds of cities and towns across the country.  Sometimes the books cover a county or even a piece of history for which a city is known.  Many people like to purchase these pictorial histories of places they have lived or places where their ancestors have lived.  Last year I published Fountain, and right now I am working on Security-Widefield. 

With all the research, organizing, and writing involved in these two projects, I have not spent any time on my own genealogical pursuits.  However!  I have been using skills I have developed as a genealogist to create my current project.  When studying about the historical families of Security-Widefield, I just naturally turn to the census and newspaper archives.  I, likewise, seek people to interview, and I know what questions to ask.  So, recently it occured to me that one of the reasons why I am so well suited to author these books is because of my experience in the genealogy field.