I’m in the midst of my research trip to Kentucky and this morning I really felt the power of walking where my ancestors walked. This morning, I was sitting on the porch of Farley’s Bed and Breakfast in Calhoun, McLean, Kentucky, enjoying a cup of coffee on a lovely morning. As I looked at the impressive building across the street, I noticed the sign Muster Funeral Home, established 1855. It occurred me that this was probably the funeral home some of my ancestors used.
Since my laptop was in my lap, I took a quick look at the death certificate for Bonnie Adams, the daughter of my great great grandfather, George Washington Adams (who is the primary focus of my research on this trip) and his second wife, Della. Bonnie died in 1919 at the age of six, from influenza. I knew they were living in Calhoun at the time of her death. Sure enough, the undertaker was Muster.
Yesterday morning, I had gone to Calhoun Cemetery and looked at young Bonnie’s grave marker. George and Della had a tumultuous relationship that ended in divorce a year after their daughter’s death. I can imagine that their grief on top of an unhappy marriage was practically unbearable.
Being right there where they were, both near the funeral home and the grave site, really brought home the power of these trips. I felt like I knew my ancestors better and could understand just a little more what his life was like.
I’ll write more later about this trip, but I can say with assurance that no matter what I discover in the libraries and repositories this week in Kentucky, just walking in the shoes of my ancestors in McLean County has made this trip worthwhile.
Amazing story! Truly inspiring! I hope you walked over to the funeral home, they do keep records, and well, one never knows.
I didn’t walk over there! I should have! Next time. Thanks for that reminder about funeral home records, Maria.
I did a trip 2 years ago to Idaho where my beloved grandmother’s family lived a hundred years ago. Many of the houses they lived in are still standing. It was very cathartic for me connecting with them by being in the same physical places they once were. Thanks for reminding me.
Thank you so much for your comment. I’m really glad my experience resonated with you and I’m so glad you shared yours.
Janine, I enjoy your columns and ideas. Today, I got a chance to stick my head into the Owensboro library, as we live nearby. I was impressed and can’t wait to do some research there. I wanted to let you know about the Willard Library in Evansville, IN, if you didn’t already. It’s a fantastic research center and has a wealth of resources.
Debbi, I was in the Owensboro library when you were there on the 25th! Did you go into the Kentucky Room? If so, you may have spied a table strewn with papers, books, eyeglasses and a MacBook. That would have been me! Sorry we didn’t connect. The people who work in the Kentucky Room were extremely helpful. Enjoy!
Thank you for telling me about the Willard Library. I had not been familiar with it, so I’m really glad to know about it.
I think I did see you, but I wouldn’t have bothered anyone in that room doing that much work !It had some great stuff in there. I can’t wait to go back and explore! The Willard is only about a half hour from there and I just spent a week there for a genealogical conference—great place also! Hope you got some great stuff from Owensboro!
You absolutely could have said hello–my brain needed a break! (Of course, you may not have realized it was me until reading my comment on this post.) The librarians there were so helpful, weren’t they? I was really impressed by how much they wanted to help. I did get some good stuff. Keep an eye out for the next blog post!
Well, I will be sure to say hey the next time
That would be great!
You just touched my heart! I also have a Great grandfather and grandmother from Kentucky and I have the experience of being at the home they built with native Kentucky stone. It is such a wonderful feeling! Continue to enjoy your trip and thank you for sharing it with us. So sad about your relatives and their daughter.
Thank you so much for your kind note, Barbara!
What a neat story it reminds me of when i was a teenager and started doing genealogy. I found some lost relatives living in the small Missouri town where my gr grandfather used to lived. We went to visit them and they showed us all the places where my gr grandfather and his family lived and worked etc. It made me feel closer to my ancestors and I found a new branch of my family
That’s the kind of thing that will suck a teenager into genealogy, isn’t it? That’s great, Debbie. Thank you for sharing.
oh, how wonderful! Time to sit and feel your kin AND a serendipity of the funeral home being right there! MORE, tell us more!!!
Thank you so much for showing enthusiasm for hearing about this trip, Melissa! I promise I’ll write more!
Google earth is wonderful for giving us a sense of the location where our ancestors lived and worked but its no substitute for the real thing…
Good point! There’s no substitute for being in the town and talking with the people there.
I also have a George Washington Adams in my family tree, my great-great grandfather from northern Tennessee. Visiting where he lived is on my bucket list.
I wish our George Washington Adamses were the same person, Nita! I heartily recommend making that visit. Thanks for commenting.