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Michael Dwyer recounts the story of Alphonsine Vallee, a family friend and tenant who was unexpectedly deported during World War II. Through genealogical research, he uncovers her true identity and her life after deportation.
Share your thoughts about the survey! Please limit submissions to 150 words or fewer. Your submission may be featured in an upcoming newsletter or shared on social media; please note in your email if you do not want your story to be shared. Published responses may be edited for clarity and length.
58%, Yes, one or both of my parents have/had a nickname.
54%, Yes, one or more of my grandparents had a nickname.
30%, Yes, one or more of my great-grandparents had a nickname.
25%, Yes, one or more of my earlier ancestors had a nickname.
36%, I have a nickname.
14.%, No, I am not aware of any of my ancestors having a nickname.
6%, I am not sure.
Readers Respond
Mary Ames Mitchell, San Rafael, California: My great-grandfather Knowlton Lyman Ames (1868-1931) played football for Princeton from 1886 to 1889. He earned the nickname “Snake” because as fullback he would weave through the opposing team’s defensive line. Snake Ames scored a record-breaking 730 points during his college career, winning him a place in the College Football Hall of Fame.
Lori Halfhide, Concordia, Kansas:When my great-grandfather William Oscar Thomas was an infant, his uncle looked at him and said, “Why, he looks like my old hound dog Tutes.” From that moment on, William was known as Tutes to everyone in his life.
Bonnie Larson, Bothell, Washington: My family has a tradition of nicknames. To name a few — my father, Wallace, was nicknamed Bud. His brothers George and Edwin were called Toots and Pete, respectively. My grandmother Alice was called Duckie. I married Roy, who was also called Bud.
Lita Karlstrand, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho: My maternal grandparents were both nicknamed Sandy. Somehow, people always knew which Sandy was referenced.
Marisa Palkuti, Scottsdale Arizona: I can thank a tax assessor for documenting my 4th great-grandfather’s nickname. To distinguish among several men named James Moore who lived in the same area of Kentucky, the assessor wrote “James Moore - Shifty Jim” on the ledger next to his name. I am still searching for the story behind the nickname.
Jean E. Peterson, Dubuque, Iowa: My great-grandfather Frank A. Hubbell was known as "Knobby" among his cronies who played cribbage daily at the Independent Order of Odd Fellows Hall. My father was an accountant; he was known as "Calculator" among the locals in Dexter and Watertown, New York.
Carol Austin, Garden Grove, California: My paternal grandmother, Carma Luona (Shields) Robinson (1895-1987), was always called “Babe” by her siblings. Her older brother William Aaron Shields was called “Brother.” Her older sister Bertha was called “Sister.” A younger sister, Virginia, who lived only to age 15, was nicknamed “Totsy.”
Pledging Students Yesterday and Today This National Museum of American History story focuses on temperance societies and pledges to abstain from alcohol.
“A new genetic study has traced prehistoric human migration from Asia to North and South America. The findings are helping underrepresented Indigenous groups understand their ancestral origins.”
Spotlight: Lawrenceburg Public Library District, Indiana
by Valerie Beaudrault
The city of Lawrenceburg, seat of Dearborn County, is located in southeastern Indiana. The Lawrenceburg Public Library District has made a number of resources available in its new Dearborn Digital Library. Among the resources is the Dearborn Counties Obituaries database, an index to obituaries and other death records through 2020. Locate and click the database link to open the search page. Enter the name of the deceased. In the initial search results, click the name link to view record details. The data fields include birth and death dates, maiden name, spouse, survived by, cemetery, obituary source, and other, which contains additional information about the deceased. Search Now
Your Gift. Twice the Impact. Even More for New Donors!
Right now, your gift to American Ancestors will amplify your support. Thanks to a generous Board Member, all donations made by May 31, 2025, will be matched dollars for dollars up to $500,000. New donors will unlock an extra $500 for the Annual Fund—up to $100,000. Every gift helps keep family history accessible and meaningful. Don’t miss this chance to double your impact and bring the past to life! Please watch the video to learn more and make your gift today! Help Meet the Challenge
As a family historian, you know that wills are important in your research—but have you created a will for yourself? Free Will, an easy and free online will creation tool, will guide you step-by-step through identifying beneficiaries for your assets, supporting the causes that are important to you, and planning for the preservation of your research. Learn More
