Texas


Maryland, Antietam, and a Possible Ancestor's Fate
Maryland

Maryland, Antietam, and a Possible Ancestor's Fate

I've been to Maryland several times — some trips purely for pleasure and sightseeing, others for genealogy research. One of the places we visited that has stayed with me is the site of the Civil War Battle of Antietam, also known as the Battle of Sharpsburg. Many of the young men who woke up that morning were also in Maryland for the first time. But they were not there for pleasure — they were there for war, and for many, for death. At this point, I have not confirmed any ancestors who fought i
Easter Lilies, April 5, 1942
Texas

Easter Lilies, April 5, 1942

This Sunday, April 5, 2026, is Easter! In the South, children wake up and see what the Easter Bunny brought them. In their Easter basket, small chocolate eggs or perhaps a large chocolate bunny can be found with other candy such as jelly beans and marshmallow Peeps. It is the time that Christians celebrate the resurrection of their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. People come to church dressed in their best clothes to hear the priest or pastor speak about eternal life, forgiveness, and spiritual r
Leaving Minonk
Illinois

Leaving Minonk

The Eiben Family and the Road to Texas In the 1880s and 1890s, Minonk, Illinois, sat at the junction of multiple major rail lines. The city of Minonk, located in Woodford County, also had numerous new German immigrants who had come to work in the coal mines, supply lumber to the booming city of Chicago, or farm the surrounding area and nearby lands in LaSalle County. We had decided to detour to LaSalle and Woodford Counties to research my mother-in-law's family, the Eibens. Her great-grandfa
Moses Austin - Virginia's Forgotten Founding Father
Virginia

Moses Austin - Virginia's Forgotten Founding Father

When you think of Virginia, you think of George Washington and Mount Vernon, Thomas Jefferson and Monticello, James Madison and Montpelier, along with other famous Virginians. However, you usually do not think of Moses Austin as one of those other famous Virginians. But he should be considered one of them because there are not many people who helped start a new country, and one that would later become the proud and great State of Texas! Located in New River State Park and Austin Memorial Park i
Texas Courthouses and the Stories They Tell!
Architecture

Texas Courthouses and the Stories They Tell!

I admit it! I have traveled through Texas for many years. Whether by car, plane, or train (yes, by train, too), there are very few counties and courthouses I haven't visited. I also admit that it has taken me years to visit them. Texas has a total of 254 counties! (The next state in terms of the number of counties is Georgia, with 159.) I have been to the largest county, Brewster, and to the smallest county, Rockwall. After a while, it seems that some of these courthouses begin to look alike. Wa