I Found Them

[Paul L. Hulse]

Neil: It is facinating to find out what your ancestors contributed in the early years of our country. I have found ancestors that no one, including my 85 year old Father, ever knew existed. I have traced my family back to c1756 and still looking. My family came from Holland and fought in every war except the Spanish American War and World War I. My CW G-G Grandfather fought with the 125th OVI at Tulahoma, Chickamauga, Chattanooga/Missionary Ridge, Dandridge, Atlanta Campaign, Franklin, and Nashville. His brother was with the 105th OVI and several nephews fought in Ohio Regiments and Illinois Regiments. I've also found distant relations to prominent and infamous historical figures like Aaron Burr and Tom Lincoln. The infamous I would like to forget, but there is no denying that part of your Family History. I used local, county, and state archives. The National Archives has military and pension files which can tell you quite a lot and of course as you already know, Regimental Histories and Official Records.
Paul

[Ozark Iron John]

Boys, I don't want to take anything away from unionblue. In fact, congrats pard. It is truly great to discover details about our personal heritage. As I said in another thread earlier this spring I think geneological research is one of the greatest things to come out of the Internet.

I have an "I found them" story to relate to you fellers.

You may or may not have been able to deduce from my postings recently, I've been on a history vacation to the James River tidewater area of Virginia. Historic Jamestowne, Colonial Williamsburg and Yorktown. Well I've done some research and I had some strings to follow before I got there, but that John D. Rockefeller Library at Colonial Williamsburg is a good'n folks. If you've got ancestors from that area, give them folks a call. They helped me with some details that have been truly enlightening.

Anyway, we went to Yorktown. Watched the movie. Saw Washington's tent and Cornwallis' table. Then a Park Ranger announced he was going to lead a tour through the grounds. We started in the 2nd British Defensive Line. Trenches looking out towards Washington, LaFayette and Rochambeau. He was pointing out across the battlefield and talking about the composition and disposition of the American and French forces and I asked him a question. "Do you know where the Virginia militia would've been?" He pointed and said, "Why do you want to know?" I said "Cause I'm lookin' for tracks of my Grandfather!" He turned and pointed back towards the building and said "Go over there and ask that Park Ranger, he's compiling an extensive list."

I did.

I'm still havin' a hard time believin' it. My old Great Great Great ..... Grandpa Nicholas' was in his book. Service Number. Pension Number and a whole bunch of stuff. My wife about choked. She thinks I'm full-o-crap. But I'm serious boys. I found him.