Letter A: The first of twenty-six posts in the April 2016 Blogging From A to Z Challenge. Wish me luck and please join me on the journey!
Ancestors have lessons to teach us. Although they may have lived generations, decades or even centuries ago, their path through history leads down to us.
They connect us to great events; to past economic and political developments; and to the life of the areas, towns, cities and countries where they lived.
My great, great grandfather Arthur Bull is one example. He served in the Union Army during the U.S. Civil War and probably voted at the front in 1864, when President Abraham Lincoln was re-elected — connecting his descendants to these great events.
Arthur was also hospitalized several times for war-related illness, but he played his part in a historic conflict that changed the country forever, leaving a legacy for future generations. He also survived to become the father of many children — among them my great grandmother Eva, who was born the year after he returned from the war.
Do you have ancestors who inspire you? Have you thought about researching their history? What about writing their stories?
Follow along and see if you feel inspired to tell your ancestors’ stories as we learn about my blacksmith ancestor from Ireland in tomorrow’s post.
© 2016 Molly Charboneau. All rights reserved.