Category Archives: family

Book Review: Railroad Stories by Jim Kissane

Book Review: Railroad Stories by Jim Kissane

Review of:

The Story of Industrial America 1850’s – 1950’s Railroad Stories Vol. 1

By Jim Kissane

 

Railroad stories have drawn a faithful following of fans, but this volume breaks the barrier with its broad range of railroad-connected subjects. Ghostly tales, Christmas stories, coming of age, westward expansion, and farming all find a coupling with the trains that crisscross our nation. You can almost hear the click-clack of the wheels and the wheezing of the steam engine as you read through the pages.

I was delighted upon looking at the table of contents to see the stories, All Aboard the Milk Train and The Spirits of Tunnel 19, each of these connected in a personal way to our family experience and made a strong connection to the reading.

Jim brings an incredibly deep understanding of the railroad workings to his writing. He is able relay them in lay terms that grow a deeper understanding from the reader. The facts and descriptions are well woven into the fabric of the story as to make seamless the transitions from information to the storyline.

Published in 2022 this recent book should become a mainstay of every railroad museum gift shop and reside in the collection of every fan of railroading in America. The book includes a working glossary and bibliography for the avid railroad buff to pursue a more in-depth reading on the subjects.

Sprinkled throughout the book are photographs depicting settings and clarifying scenes for the reader. I highly recommend this book to the railroad fan and general readers as there is a little something for everyone within the pages.

Find it here: https://www.amazon.com/Railroad-Stories-Story-Industrial-America/dp/B0BRLT8ZNV/

250 Years, One Family, One Farm

I am going down a research rabbit hole. My quest is to develop a Mansfield Historical Society display that honors the Stearns family in Mansfield, CT. for 250 years. How does one condense 250 years of living, farming, generations, wars, and weather into an exhibit? I’m trying… The family purchased this farm in 1772. Tonight,… Continue Reading

New Year Photo Scavenger Hunt

Time for some individual or family fun. Make it a competition or do it for arts sake. Join in to get out of the house. Share your photos on social media with the hashtag #PhotoScavengerHunt Scavenger Hunt Photo Checklist   Take the Photos Share the Fun! Brought to you by www.carolynstearnsstoryteller.com People ☐ Volunteering ☐… Continue Reading

My Roots Are Showing; Collecting and Telling Historical Family Stories

July 21-24, 2016 The National Storytelling Conference will be held in Kansas City MO.  The host organization is the National Storytelling Network. www.storynet.org their twitter handle is @nsnstorycon  There will be a steady update of happenings from the National Conference where storytellers from around the country and even a few from around the world will… Continue Reading

Fiona’s Viral Post

      Her name is Fiona, she is one of many beautiful calves at Mountain Dairy in Storrs/Mansfield Connecticut. www.mountaindairy.com  What is so special about her has been the reaction a photo of her received on Facebook. Mountain Dairy is our family farm. My grandchildren are the 11th generation. I take care of social media for… Continue Reading

Prompt July 4 Family Stories

 July 4th and you are planning a picnic. Nothing newsworthy just some family and friends coming over. This year make it special,  collect a few memories from your guests. Ask ahead for a couple of favorite recipes to prepare and share. Be sure everyone gets a copy of the recipe to take home. Then ask for the story behind… Continue Reading

Archaeology and Family Stories

  It was as if I entered a portal to time and crossed over to the American Revolution. Was this a table in the offices of Archaeological and Historical Services, Inc or my great, great, great, great- Grandmothers kitchen table?     http://www.ahs-inc.biz/mainpage.html   While researching a family story online I found an archaeological report… Continue Reading

The Patriot Gave Everything – Focus on Family Stories

Are you aware of the thousands who died for the cause of America, not in battles of our Revolution, but as prisoners of war held by the British under the most horrific of conditions. Their story is mostly forgotten, their lives given to the new nation undervalued by history, unserved by classroom text. The stories of… Continue Reading

Thanksgiving  A List of Giving Thanks!

Thanksgiving A List of Giving Thanks!

My family – as always I am thankful for my family and this year in particular for my Brother, Steve Marshall. We took a long journey through our parents illness and passing together and I am so grateful to have had him at my side! Thank- You Steve!                                                                                      Here Steve is at work on the… Continue Reading

Journey of a Thousand Goodbyes

Journey of a Thousand Goodbyes

          My father passed away last week. He was a captive of Dementia or Alzheimer’s for several years and in passing over that journey has ended and another begun. Herman F. Marshall was born July 19, 1929 in Manchester, New Hampshire. His story is our family memory now and I’m reading the things he wrote… Continue Reading