Could you have an ancestor who witnessed the Boston Tea Party? Researcher Jared Nathan discovered that his own ancestor, Reverend Benjamin Prescott, concealed his name in order to publish political writing about the event.
New Jersey Research: Four Centuries of History and Genealogy
Throughout its history, New Jersey has been characterized by its ethnic and religious diversity, but it is also known for having large gaps in its early records. This online course will help fill in those gaps, providing a century-by-century look at the records, resources, repositories, and research strategies essential to exploring your New Jersey roots. Members save 10%. Register Now
New Issue of American Ancestors Magazine is Now Available!
The fall issue of American Ancestors magazine features stories and research related to the Boston Tea Party, in anticipation of its 250th anniversary in December. Other articles include an account of antisemitism in 1940s Chelsea, Mass., and documentation of enslaved persons in colonial Plymouth. View Now
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.
Last Week's Survey:
Ancestors Connected to Trains or Airplanes
Total: 3,108 Responses
57%, At least one of my ancestors worked for a railroad company.
11%, At least one of my ancestors worked for subway or trolley car company.
11%, At least one of my ancestors was a train/trolley enthusiast.
18%, At least one of my ancestors had a model train collection.
7%, At least one of my ancestors worked for an airline company.
3%, At least one of my ancestors piloted an airplane for a commercial company.
11%, At least one of my ancestors piloted an airplane as a personal pastime.
25%, At least one of my ancestors piloted military aircraft or was part of a military air support crew.
6%, At least one of my ancestors had a model airplane collection.
12%, At least one of my ancestors had a connection to trains or airplanes not mentioned above.
21%, I am not aware of any of my ancestors having connections to trains or airplanes.
Readers Respond
Martha McConaghy, Hyde Park, New York: My maternal grandfather, Charles Ward, was a chief electrician at Grand Central Station for over 30 years. During World War II, his job was considered vital to the war effort, and he spent his week at the station and only came home on weekends. During that time, he met many famous people including presidents and Hollywood stars. A benefit of his job was that he and his family could ride the train for free. My mother recalled that in January 1938, when she was 11, he got her out of bed one cold morning to catch an early train. Hours later they got off at Niagara Falls. He had heard on the radio that the Rainbow Bridge had collapsed and thought it would be exciting to see.
Elizabeth MacMillan, Franklin, Massachusetts: My great-uncle Daniel Eldridge obtained his pilot’s license in 1931 and went on to become Boston's first “Flying Cop.” Daniel was stationed at East Boston Airport (now Logan Airport) and participated in numerous aerial searches. He greeted Charles and Anne Lindbergh when they flew into Boston in July 1927.
Nancy G. Wehner, Colorado Springs, Colorado: From his teenage years on, my father built and flew radio-controlled airplanes made from balsa and plywood and lightweight covering materials. The resulting planes sometimes replicated real planes; other times they were entirely his own invention. Dad designed a plane that was little more than a flying wing—he called it the Guillotine. It was so fast and maneuverable that the local and national contests had to create a new competition category for it.
Christine West, Annapolis, Maryland: My father, Harold R. West, Jr. (1919-2009) was a radio mechanic for Pan American Airways during World War II. He was stationed in Trinidad and serviced radios in airports and planes throughout the Caribbean. Communication between aircraft and ground stations was by Morse code and ground-to-ground airline communication was by teletype.
Elizabeth Cavariani, Beacon Falls, Connecticut: My grandfather Luigi Cavariani emigrated from Italy and settled in Roseville, California, where he worked at Southern Pacific Railroad along with his three sons: Joseph, John, and my dad, Frank. They returned to their railroad jobs after serving in World War II. The family railroad pass enabled us to travel to New York to visit my mom's family. My dad went on to work for Aerojet General in Folsom at the urging of my mom. He continued his training as a machinist and became a Master Machinist. But he never lost interest in trains and would often take us kids to the rail yards to see the engines.
Why North Carolina Is the Most Linguistically Diverse U.S. State “North Carolina has a startling variety of American English dialects, including a couple found nowhere else. Yet, if you travel to North Carolina, there’s an extremely high chance that you won’t hear any of them.”
The city of Arlington is located in Tarrant County in north central Texas. Arlington Cemetery was established privately in 1899, and is currently owned and managed by the city, which maintains an online database of cemetery records. Click How to Find a Grave to begin your search, then click List of Graves to view an alphabetical list of burials. Data fields provided are name, grave location, and birth and death dates. Use the grave location information in the record to find the grave on the Block Chart. Search Now
Name Beneficiaries for Your Non-Probate Assets Today
Non-probate assets such as an IRA, 401(k), or life-insurance policy are not covered in your will or trust—you must name beneficiaries separately. Our friends at FreeWill.com have provided a free and secure online tool to guide you through naming beneficiaries for your assets in one easy place. Preserve your legacy, make sure your loved ones are provided for, and support the causes most important to you—get started today! Learn More
