Charting My Migration Pedigree

The 2nd biggest hobby in America latest craze that is popping up all over Facebook, is migration pedigrees. What the heck is that? It's a different way to view your family tree; rather than seeing mom, dad and grandpa, it charts of where family came from. 

My chart is pretty boring; as I've said in my classes, my family, most prior to my 2nd great grands, came into the port of Philadelphia migrated to "western" Pennsylvania and never left. Wanting a some more color, I decided to chart my mom and dad.

Well mom's chart doesn't add much color but at least there is a new state. Her 2nd great grandpa (my 3rd gg) was born in Maryland.

Dad's chart on the other hand not only adds color but surprises and mystery. Dad's Campbell family immigrated to Pennsylvania. The family spent a few years in Virginia after the Civil War where dad's grandpa ACJC was born, before moving back to Pennsylvania. 

I was told by my parents that our heritage was English, Scotch, Dutch and Welsh. England is accounted for up there on my chart with my 2nd great grandfather Hudson. Check off Welsh, there is 2nd great grandma Woodward from Monmouthshire on dad's chart. Ireland, at first glance that doesn't fit into the family "story". Upon closer inspection the "Irish" were Forbes hence really Scots-Irish. Next up German, hmm nothing in the family story from my parents; in fact grandma seemed to forget about her German grandma's lineage when dad was applying to the Naval Academy. Grandma's sister Great Aunt Betty revealer of family secrets clued me into the German connection during a European vacation. Oh, so for the "Dutch" we have to go back to a crazy story from mm's side of the family in the 1600s. 

Lastly is my brick wall, the Armstrongs. While ultimately I know the line goes back to Scotland as all Armstrongs trace back to a warrior in the 1200s. For now however, I'm stuck in Pennsylvania searching for the correct John Armstrong circa 1830s who could be from PA, NJ or England.

Have some fun and create your own migration pedigree chart. 

Review: Yellow Brick War

Yellow Brick War by Danielle Paige
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Danielle Paige has knocked it out of the park again! Book 3 continues the battle between Dorothy and Amy, two Kansas girls in the land of Oz. Amy's trip back to Kansas brings home how much she has grown during her time in Oz. Her new found maturity and strength is needed as she battles Dorothy, the "good" witch and her vice principal.

Yellow Brick War has lots of twists, turns and dimensions; who knew I'd be rooting for Madison? I have thoroughly enjoyed the series thus far and look forward to the next installment.

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Women of Character, Courage and Commitment: Carolyn Haywood

Carolyn Haywood, was a popular author and illustrator of children's books who is best known for her ''Betsy'' and ''Eddie'' series.

Born in Philadelphia and she studied to be a teacher before turning to art and to writing. Miss Haywood's writing career began in 1939 with B' is for Betsy, she published 47 more books before her death in 1990. Her picture books and novels used humor in dealing with day-to-day school and family matters. New York Times reviewer, Phyllis Fenner, wrote “Carolyn Haywood makes the everyday doings of children exciting and funny, entering into them from a child's level. That is sheer genius and can't be done by calculation.”

After a prolific writing career, with illustrations, portraits, and murals to boot, Haywood’s stamp is all over Philadelphia and southeastern Pennsylvania. The Elementary School in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, even has a “Carolyn Haywood Corner” in its school library full of Betsy, Eddie, Penny books and my favorite Away Went the Balloons.

The book jacket explains “This ingenious book is about a very special holiday: Balloon Day that is celebrated at Blue Bell School each May. The pupils release balloons with a tag asking the finder to send a message back to the owner. The school is real; the holiday takes place”. In 1970-1971 when I was in 3rd grade, Ms Haywood, who was already my favorite author, came to my school, to write a book about my favorite event! I was over the moon! I didn’t get to meet her, but my parents did. In fact, there is a scene in the book centered around the parents blowing up the balloons with big helium tanks, a task that in the real world my mom chaired. To my young mind, I was like my parents are in the book!!

Away Went the Balloons was a nominee for Children’s Book of the Year in Germany

Babbie Nalle of Chestnut Hill recounting her children’s relationship with their neighbor said “At a very young age, she started them thinking that reading was great fun.” Through her works, that is exactly what Carolyn Haywood did for me as well.

Review: The Fifth Assassin

The Fifth Assassin by Brad Meltzer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Fifth Assassin is the second book in Brad Metzler's Culper Ring series. I highly recommend reading the series in order starting with The Inner Circle. Archivist Beecher White and the Culper Ring continue their mission to protect the presidency of the United States. For fans of AMC's TURN, it is a kick to know the spy ring has survived and is still active.

In this installment we meet another one of Beecher's childhood friends, Marshall Lusk, wondering is he now a friend or foe. The author switches from present day to childhood throughout the book telling parallel stories. Towards the end of the book this jumping around gets distracting. The murders of the priests storyline is tied up at the end of the book. The ongoing struggle between Beecher and the President and why the residents and actions of a small town in Wisconsin 20-30 years ago play such a pivotal role in that struggle is still a mystery. I'm looking forward to reading The President's Shadow to find out.


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Celebrate Women of Character, Courage and Commitment: Ferro Monte Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution Salute Women’s History Month

American women are leaders securing their own rights of suffrage and equal opportunity which create a fair and just society for all. Daughters are vibrant, active women who are passionate about community service, preserving history, educating children, as well as honoring and supporting those who serve our nation. Members share and celebrate the women who inspire us at Roxbury Township Free Public Library 103 Main St, Succasunna, NJ on March 12 at 10:15am.

Honor those who inspired you by sharing their story 

Ferro-Monte Chapter meetings are held on the 2nd Saturday of the month from October - May. Prospective members are always welcome. If you have an interest in learning about your family tree, we can help you; maybe we can even find a Patriot among your leaves. For information the Ferro Monte Chapter: like us at Facebook.com/FerroMonteChapterNSDAR, visit our website ferromontedar.org or email NJDARFerroMonte@aol.com. 

The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution was founded in 1890 to promote patriotism, preserve American history, and support better education for our nation's children. Its members are descended from the patriots who won American independence during the Revolutionary War. With more than 165,000 members in approximately 3,000 chapters worldwide, DAR is one of the world's largest and most active service organizations. To learn more about the work of today's DAR, visit DAR.org.

One Big Sale Benefiting Roxbury Social Services

Looking for a bargain and do something for your community too? Great things are for sale including clothes, toys, books, movies, baby, children’s items and more.

Come visit the Roxbury Senior Center
72 Eyland Ave @ Horseshoe Lake

March 12^th 9am – 5 pm

All proceeds benefit RoxburySocial Services

Looking to help out more?

Donate any kind of breakfast food!