Author: Jack
I retired in 2008 and so I have more time now to devote to several of my interests The blog here is mainly for my interests in some current events but may have the occasional rant on other subjects. I have also decided to keep my genealogy posts and book reviews here instead of 2 additional blogs (and so simplify my life a little).

Genealogy search engine

Genealogy search engine

Posted on by Jack

Speaking of free websites that are useful to genealogists (which I have been doing lately), you should be aware of a free genealogy search engine which searches across multiple sites that could be of interest to genealogists or historians.

A recent search of some ancestors turned up links to Google News archives, the Library of Congress historic newspapers, files in the US GenWeb archives, the internet archive, various university newspaper archives and much more. Continue reading “Genealogy search engine”

U.S. Historic Newspapers at Library of Congress

U.S. Historic Newspapers at Library of Congress

Posted on by Jack

One of the unexpected resources for genealogy that I found while researching Sadie Evahn of Spokane WA is the Library of Congress Historic Newspapers program.

Seems like they have thousands of newspapers published between 1836 and 1922. Some runs that they have preserved are relatively short and some longer. Many are microfilmed but a good number are online and searchable.

I got lucky Continue reading “U.S. Historic Newspapers at Library of Congress”

Horace A. Greer and Sadie French

Horace A. Greer and Sadie French

Posted on by Jack

It seems certain that Horace Greer married Sadie French. But who is this Sadie French? I looking for more evidence (maybe even some proof). But so far I have pile of circumstantial evidence.

By the way, my interest is Horace A. Greer who moved from New York City to Los Angeles, got into the Mabel Normand Hollywood scandal in the 1920s, and kept a low profile after that. For more on Horace, just google Horace A. Greer. Continue reading “Horace A. Greer and Sadie French”

Keep genealogy records free by indexing

Keep genealogy records free by indexing

Posted on by Jack

I mentioned before that I am a big fan of volunteer indexing. Family search has has millions of genealogy records free. Yes, free and millions is an understatement. Continue reading “Keep genealogy records free by indexing”

Costello vs Trivedi congressional race for PA-6

Costello vs Trivedi congressional race for PA-6

Posted on by Jack

Ryan Costello and Manan Trivedi are fighting for the congressional seat of the 6th District of Pennsylvania.

I am not quite sure where I stand in this Costello vs Trivedi race. Our current congressman is retiring. Continue reading “Costello vs Trivedi congressional race for PA-6”

Rio Roosevelt Revisited

Rio Roosevelt Revisited

Posted on by Jack

Like many Americans, we are making our daily journey to the TV to watch the Ken Burns documentary on the Roosevelts. So far I have found it very enjoyable. But last night’s third installment reminded me of an excellent book I read a couple years ago.

The book is The River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt’s Darkest Journey by Candice Millard. After former President Theodore Roosevelt lost Continue reading “Rio Roosevelt Revisited”

Savings with the Kindle edition

Savings with the Kindle edition

Posted on by Jack

I had just finished with my review of Chris Culver’s new book when I followed my own link to Amazon. First I noticed that the Kindle edition of that book was significantly less than cost of the paperback.

Then I went to Chris Culver’s page on Amazon. There I noticed that The Abbey, the first in the Ash Rashid Series was only 99 cents. Yes, less than a dollar ($0.99 for those who want to be exact).

I understand that Amazon frequently changes prices so this might not be true when you get there. But it is certainly worth a look if you are interested in saving with the Kindle edition.

Nine Years Gone by Chris Culver

Nine Years Gone by Chris Culver

Posted on by Jack

I was pleased when I saw a new book by Chris Culver on NetGalley. I had previously reviewed a book of his and liked it very much.

I applied for a review copy on my Kindle and was soon engrossed in Nine Years Gone. I was again impressed by Chris Culver’s skill in pulling me into the story. I was amazed by this ability when I read my first Chris Culver book. This time Continue reading “Nine Years Gone by Chris Culver”

Mystery Monday: Sadie Evahn Spokane WA

Mystery Monday: Sadie Evahn Spokane WA

Posted on by Jack

I found Sadie Evahn several times in Spokane, WA in the early 1900s. I was really looking for Sadie French and I think this is her before she got married.

Evahn is unusual name and I don’t think it is a mistake in spelling since it is so consistent. But I’d like to hear if anyone has experience with this name as a misspelling. Continue reading “Mystery Monday: Sadie Evahn Spokane WA”

Is it 1984 yet? American Corporate Security State

Is it 1984 yet? American Corporate Security State

Posted on by Jack

I read The Rise of the American Corporate Security State: Six Reasons to Be Afraid by Beatrice Edwards and both the title and subtitle tell us what the book is about. Should we be afraid of our government?

Well, I would guess most are not afraid of all government. The National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control, and indeed most agencies do not put fear into most of us. But there are parts we fear. The IRS may come to mind.
Continue reading “Is it 1984 yet? American Corporate Security State”

Our annual trip to the movie theater

Our annual trip to the movie theater

Posted on by Jack

I guess I never was much of a movie-goer. Some folks do go quite frequently.

But for me once a year seems about right. My last trip a few days ago reminded me of why I only go once a year or so. The movie was good but the experience was not.

So we got there a few minutes early and as expected, we saw a few previews. But then after the movie was scheduled to start, we had another 20 minutes of previews and ads.

Of course if we allowed for that and came 20 minutes late, it would be one of those times the movie starts on time or maybe just less than 20 minutes late.

Going to the movies used to be fun. It is getting less so and my annual trip reminded me of that.

Frances Greer and Horace Johnston marry

Frances Greer and Horace Johnston marry

Posted on by Jack

Several weeks ago I had written about the marriage of Frances Greer and Horace Johnston in New York City on December 24, 1892.

I saw an abstracted record on familysearch.org and was pretty sure Frances was a daughter of Matthew Greer and Ruth Allingham of Sligo, Ireland I had not previously known about. Continue reading “Frances Greer and Horace Johnston marry”

Gaslight mystery in old New York City: Murder On Astor Place

Gaslight mystery in old New York City: Murder On Astor Place

Posted on by Jack

I read a review of the latest addition to the Gaslight series (a mystery in old New York City). It was a favorable review but I have no idea where I saw it. The series involves several murder investigations in old New York City. Yes back in the 1890s when Teddy Roosevelt was a New York City Police Commissioner.

I like some historical fiction and a good mystery so I thought I would give it a try but Murder in Murray Hill which was the new one was 16th in the Gaslight series. So it seemed to me that it was better to start at the beginning.

I did a bit of looking around and learned Continue reading “Gaslight mystery in old New York City: Murder On Astor Place”

Stupid liquor law and schools

Stupid liquor law and schools

Posted on by Jack

Because I live in Pennsylvania, I sometimes write about some of the state laws here. More often than not, it turns out that I think the state law is wrong. And more often than not, I also think those laws are also stupid.

Today’s rant is about a stupid law and an additional stupid law that just adds additional stupidity onto the consequences of the first. But let me explain before you are overwhelmed with the word stupid. In case you are interested, here are my comments on Pennyslvania. And not all are about stupid laws. Continue reading “Stupid liquor law and schools”

Outlander or Sassenach: book and Starz TV series

Outlander or Sassenach: book and Starz TV series

Posted on by Jack

In 1945 Inverness the Scots Gaelic word Sassenach is defined as Englishman or Outlander at worst. I suspect in the Scotland of the early 1700s, a Scot who knew both English and Scots might have considered that Englishman was the worst of those 2 possible meanings.

I mention those 2 periods as the action in Outlander Continue reading “Outlander or Sassenach: book and Starz TV series”