Located on the banks of the James River in Charles City County, Va., is the Berkeley Plantation, a three-story brick mansion with a lot of history. Built by Benjamin Harrison IV, it is the birthplace of descendants Benjamin Harrison V, a signer of the Declaration of Independence; William Henry Harrison, the ninth president of the Read More
Tag: Massachusetts
A Haunting Reality
Over the years, I have learned many things about life and myself by researching my ancestors. Through interviewing my parents, grandparents and other descendants, making visits to town halls, libraries, vital statistic offices and cemeteries I have discovered several things about my family’s past. Every now and then though, this look back comes with a Read More
Discovering New Orleans Through Its Civil War History
I would like to thank Holiday Inn for partnering with me to make this post possible. As always, all opinions are my own! Kris Williams It has been a few years now since I learned about my ancestor William Z. Morey, who served on the side of the Union during the Civil War. At the Read More
Night In The Berkshires: The Porches Inn at MASS MoCa
After a big lunch at the Freight Yard Pub, my grandmother and I waddled into The Porches Inn at MASS MoCa to check into our room. This was the second time I was booked at Porches for work and the main reason I asked my grandmother to join me on the trip. I knew she Read More
Italian Birds of Passage
Tracing my Italian roots has been difficult to say the least, especially when it comes to name changes or my ancestors names being misspelled. However, I was stumped with a new mystery when I came across three separate passenger lists that listed my 2nd great grand father, Andrea Cautilli. At first, I figured it must Read More
Life Advice From the Grave
My great grandfather, Abramo Donato Cantelli was born in San Donato, Italy on February 4, 1903. He was only six years old when he boarded a ship headed to America called the Canopic Line with his mother and two brothers. After two seasick weeks they finally landed in Boston where Abramo’s father was waiting for Read More