In the 1980's David Peterson of Boxholm interviewed all of the oldest people he could find who were descendants of original settlers in Grant township. Grant township had its first settlers in 1858 and was organized in 1871. So many of these older people he interviewed were children or grandchildren of the original settlers.
He would also collect old family photos which he would bring to my photography studio in Ogden to be copied. He said the only way some of the ladies would let him borrow the photos was because he assured them they would be returned the next day, and of course, they trusted him.
Many evenings he came in with his stack of photos. They included everything from Daguerreotype, painted, Sepia tone, and black and white photos. Underneath, included with the photo, was a small note identifying the people in the photo.
David would then write a short history about each family, including the names, when and where, along with their family photo.
He hand printed (not typed) his copy and gave it to Gary Alban of the Ogden Reporter. Gary then type set, assembled the pages, and published the pre-ordered, hard-cover books.
David and Gary created a very well done historical book.
David has quite a museum located at the old bank building in downtown Boxholm covering the history and people of Grant township. It is open by appointment only.
Thanks, George. Yes, it is a gem of a small-town museum! We have his hard-cover book, but I didn't realize the backstory of how he gathered, produced, and published it. Thanks for your role in it! It would be wonderful if a foundation could be created to maintain the museum for years to come. Thanks!
David said that on a few occasions there would be conflicting stories where one side would "forget" bad information about an an ancestor, and the other side would disparage them.
Every family wanted to look their best, and would tell their favorite version of their family history.
Great idea, Cheryl! I enjoyed your story. There are several places where our families may have been close enough to have met each other, and events that were similar though at different times. Researching and sharing stories may well help us understand our interrelatedness.
Thanks, Jo! Wouldn't that be interesting to know? Two different branches of my family sojourned in Kentucky at the same time. I've often wondered if they ever crossed paths. Yes, we have more shared experiences than divided interests.
Thank you for sharing your family history. It has raised my curiosity about my own life's journey and the factors that led me to where I am today.
I.
Thanks, Pat. Go for it!
I am going to!
Sensational historical family memoir.
Thank you so much! I'm glad it resonated with you!
Cheryl, what a great story about your family!
In the 1980's David Peterson of Boxholm interviewed all of the oldest people he could find who were descendants of original settlers in Grant township. Grant township had its first settlers in 1858 and was organized in 1871. So many of these older people he interviewed were children or grandchildren of the original settlers.
He would also collect old family photos which he would bring to my photography studio in Ogden to be copied. He said the only way some of the ladies would let him borrow the photos was because he assured them they would be returned the next day, and of course, they trusted him.
Many evenings he came in with his stack of photos. They included everything from Daguerreotype, painted, Sepia tone, and black and white photos. Underneath, included with the photo, was a small note identifying the people in the photo.
David would then write a short history about each family, including the names, when and where, along with their family photo.
He hand printed (not typed) his copy and gave it to Gary Alban of the Ogden Reporter. Gary then type set, assembled the pages, and published the pre-ordered, hard-cover books.
David and Gary created a very well done historical book.
David has quite a museum located at the old bank building in downtown Boxholm covering the history and people of Grant township. It is open by appointment only.
Thanks, George. Yes, it is a gem of a small-town museum! We have his hard-cover book, but I didn't realize the backstory of how he gathered, produced, and published it. Thanks for your role in it! It would be wonderful if a foundation could be created to maintain the museum for years to come. Thanks!
David said that on a few occasions there would be conflicting stories where one side would "forget" bad information about an an ancestor, and the other side would disparage them.
Every family wanted to look their best, and would tell their favorite version of their family history.
I don't doubt that!
Reminds me of the book title, “Giants In the Earth” by Ole Rolvaag.
Ha! Thanks, Sarah. I should give that another read. Happy July 4th!
Great idea, Cheryl! I enjoyed your story. There are several places where our families may have been close enough to have met each other, and events that were similar though at different times. Researching and sharing stories may well help us understand our interrelatedness.
Thanks, Jo! Wouldn't that be interesting to know? Two different branches of my family sojourned in Kentucky at the same time. I've often wondered if they ever crossed paths. Yes, we have more shared experiences than divided interests.