Natives of Scotland, William Bunten (W.B.) Ronald and his brother Robert, began life in Nebraska working mostly as laborers and farmers. William came to America in 1850 with Robert, who was much younger, coming with their parents in 1856.  In 1870, William, 48, and Robert, 26, were both single men in the process of gaining citizenship and homesteading land in Nebraska.  But, soon their focus would change to business. Palmyra In Its Infancy In the

Usually, papers being lost means a loss of information.  However, in the case of William Bassett, my 4th great-grandfather, the loss of his papers stating that he had served in the Revolutionary War led to great insight into his service in the Continental Army.   Pension On June 7, 1832, the U.S. Congress passed legislation that provided a pension for all men who served at least two years in the Revolutionary War in the Continental

  Aunt Ruthe and Aunt Dee were very involved in exploring the spirit world in the 1970s.  Dee kept much of their writing, including a draft of a book.  It included many interesting topics. But, what does it have to do with genealogy? Stay tuned to the end and you will find out.   The Beginning Ruthe first became interested in the spirit world in 1968 when her husband Jerry (later divorced) took an interest

When doing local research, genealogists and historians in the area can be very helpful.  They can point you to resources that you don’t even know that you need.  Word of caution, however, is to not take their word for it if they say they don’t have any information about the family you are researching.  They are likely trying to keep you from wasting your time, but it is important to keep focus. It is likely

About 15 to 20 years ago, I was doing genealogy research for a friend that I worked with in Colorado.  As I researched, I found myself 700 miles away in the same neighborhood where I grew up.  And, before I was done, her family’s story included characters from not only her family, but my family and another friend’s family trees.   The Hogue Family   My friend had lived in Colorado all her life.  We