DAR

I'm taking the leap into the pot.  I'll be finding out where I can find and purchase the 25% minimum rag content paper for the application for the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Years ago, last century actually, I was deep into doing genealogy.  My grandmother, paternal, asked me back then if I wanted to join the DAR.  I considered it but never got around to it.  In memory of my grandmother who died 11 years ago this week  I will now start the application.

I have two ancestors that I qualify under for the DAR, possibly more.  First one is Captain Samuel Wolcott the other being Private Zebulon Pierce.  However, I won't be submitting the application or fee until this government shut down is over.  I'm not going to put out the funds for something so personal right now that I could possibly be needing to put food on the table with later on.  At almost $150 for the application fee of which $75 is non-refundable it will have to wait.

I want to join the DAR not because of the prestige but because they do so much for so many.  Read here about the DAR and what they do.

For now I'll print out the application on cheap recycled paper and fill it in with my notes.  Later I'll type in the information and make a copy of my birth certificate.  When the time comes to have it printed on the good paper I'll make sure to get all copies of everything notarized where applicable.  Hopefully the JAG clerk will have clean hands when handling the expensive paper.  I realize working with leaky ink pens all day can make one heck of a mess out of documents and hands.

I'm excited at this prospect.  I love doing genealogy when I get a spare chance.

The Black Count

War!  Revolution!  They bring on many changes. Families get uprooted, religions change, rules are made to suppress the citizens.  Because of so much turmoil my family has often moved around between France, England and Canada.

While working on a long and in depth genealogy project while living in Germany I discovered that more than one branch of my family tree decided to leave their native land for better prospects elsewhere.  Children left their parents to seek their fortunes in more fertile lands.

On my mother's side the Huguenots left because of persecution.  On my father's side, I swear living near Calais, made it so from one day to the next they didn't know if they were under British or French rule.  Eventually they just gave up and moved to Canada.  Was that any better?  Not really since they settled in the the French Province of Quebec and struggled for freedom there as well.  Eventually they moved to NY.

While researching my paternal grandmother's side I found that her ancestors were primarily English with some Scots and Irish mixed in.  Borders blur and families find themselves on opposite sides of borders over night.  Sir Hugh Tirel can be traced back to William the Conquer.  No wonder Grandma was an imposing figure of a woman; it was in her genes.  Her ancestors fought in crusades.  One of her ancestors was the Prince of Poix.  No not the modern day Prince of Poix who is an offshoot of a different family entirely.

I have found that trying to figure out where I came from isn't as easy as it seems to be.  It is more than just being born.  It is hertiage.  That heritage can be passed on through adoption and not just genetics.  Discipline, teachings, familial relations, cultural influences all comprise what makes us who we are and who we will become.

Alexandre Dumas' works were heavily influenced by his father, also named Alexandre Dumas. In the biography The Black Count, author Tom Reiss tells how Dumas went from slavery to become the equivalent of a five star general in the French military. Join From Left to Write on October 11 as we discuss the The Black Count. As a member, I received a copy of the book for review purposes.

[CD] The Black Count By Reiss, Tom (Google Affiliate Ad)