Tag: ancestors

Discovering Social Media Drama in 1890s Newspapers

Imagine social media drama… but in 1890… and printed forever in the town newspaper.

Newspapers are packed with:

  • Birth, marriage, and death notices.
  • Court cases (gossip goldmines).
  • Obituaries (bonus: family members often listed).
  • Local events like school awards, land sales, and accidents.

Quick Start Tips:

  • Search local papers where your ancestor lived.
  • Try different name spellings (editors weren’t spellcheckers).
  • Check surrounding years—you might find mentions you didn’t expect.

📢 Pro Tip:
Always save the whole article, not just the juicy snippet. You might need those little boring bits later!

How City Directories Can Enhance Your Family History Research

Think of City Directories as the 19th and early 20th centuries’ version of Google Maps meets Facebook.

Here’s why they’re awesome:

  • They list names, addresses, and occupations.
  • They’re published annually or every few years.
  • They can reveal when someone moved, married, died, or changed jobs.

How to Use Them:

  • Track your ancestor’s movement across a city year-by-year.
  • Look up neighbors (FAN Principle anyone?).
  • Find missing years between censuses.

⚡ Fun Fact: City Directories often note when a person died: “John Doe, dec’d 1902.” Instant clue without chasing death certificates!

Genealogy Vocabulary Simplified for Beginners

Have you ever read an old family record and felt it was written in another language? You’re not alone! Genealogy has a lot of strange words, but we’re going to break them down together. We’ll make these terms so easy to understand, you could explain them to a friend!

Let’s learn what these tricky words really mean.

🌎 Land and Property Words

Land Patent – This is the first time someone got land from the government. Think of it like getting a land “birth certificate.”

Survey System – This is how land was measured.

  • Metes and Bounds – They used trees, rocks, rivers, and directions. It’s like saying, “Go 100 steps from the big oak tree, then turn left at the creek.”
  • Township and Range – This system uses a grid, like graph paper. It’s all neat and numbered.

Bounty Land Warrant – A “thank you” gift of land the government gave to soldiers after a war.

⚖️ Legal Words

Probate Records – These are the papers that show what happened to someone’s stuff after they died.

Dower – A special share of land or property saved for a widow (the wife of someone who died).

Estate – Everything a person owns when they die—like land, animals, tools, and money.

Grantee – A person who gets land or property.

Intestate – A person who died without writing a will.

Chattel – This is a fancy word for personal belongings like cows, tools, or furniture.

👩‍👧 Family Words

Maiden Name (née) – A woman’s last name before she got married. “Née” means “born as.”

Issue – This just means children.

FAN Club – Friends, Associates, and Neighbors. These people can help you find your ancestors when records are hard to follow!

Ahnentafel Chart – A fun chart that gives numbers to your ancestors. You are #1, your dad is #2, your mom is #3, and so on.

Family Group Record – A page that shows a family—parents and their kids—all in one place.

🕵️‍♀️ Records and Search Tools

Census Enumeration District – A part of a city or town the census worker visited to count people. It’s like a neighborhood on a map.

Marriage Bond – A promise (with money) that there were no legal reasons the couple couldn’t get married.

BANNS – A church announcement about a couple who planned to marry. It gave people time to speak up if there was a problem.

Soundex – A special way of writing last names by how they sound, not how they’re spelled. Great for looking up Smiths and Smyths!

PERSI (PERiodical Source Index) – A big list of articles from genealogy magazines and newsletters. It helps you find stories or records about your family.

🌍 Movement Words

Emigrant – A person who leaves their country.

Immigrant – A person who enters a new country.

Et Al. – This is Latin for “and others.” You’ll see it when there are too many names to list, like “John Smith et al.”

💡 Bonus Terms Beginners Might See

Here are a few more words you might run into:

  • Vital Records – Birth, marriage, and death records.
  • Abstract – A short version of a longer document.
  • Index – A list of names to help you find the right record fast.
  • Lineage – A line of ancestors, like your great-grandparents, their parents, and so on.

🎯 Final Tip: Don’t get stuck on the big words! Keep a cheat sheet nearby (like this blog!) and take it slow. Genealogy isn’t a race—it’s a fascinating puzzle to solve. 🧩

Need more help? Visit my Research Specialist page! I offer guidance to streamline your research, provide expert tips, and help you build a family tree that future generations will cherish.

Explore Genealogy with Insurance and Bank Records

Insurance records are a valuable yet often overlooked resource in genealogical research. These documents can provide a wealth of personal information, offering insights into your ancestors’ lives that may not be found elsewhere. From life insurance policies to property insurance documents, these records can help you uncover familial connections, verify vital statistics, and trace your family’s financial history.

Life Insurance Records

Life insurance policies are particularly rich in personal details. Applicants were typically required to provide comprehensive information, including their age, residence, health status, and lifestyle habits. Beneficiaries—often spouses, children, or other close relatives—were also listed, offering direct evidence of family relationships. For example, the Union Pacific Railroad’s life insurance records include data such as Social Security numbers, occupations, birth dates and places, addresses, parents’ names, marriage and death dates, causes of death, burial locations, and spouses’ names.

Accessing these records can be challenging due to privacy concerns and company-specific retention policies. However, some historical records have been preserved and are accessible through archives or specialized libraries. For instance, the Family History Library in Salt Lake City houses a vast collection of genealogical records, including some insurance documents.

Property Insurance Records

Property insurance documents can reveal information about an ancestor’s residence, property ownership, and even details about the property’s structure and value. These records may include the insured’s name, property location, and the terms of the policy. While accessing these records can be difficult, they can sometimes be found in local archives, historical societies, or within family papers.

Bank Records

Bank records, while primarily financial, can also offer genealogical insights. Account applications and transaction records may list personal details such as names of spouses, children, and other relatives, as well as addresses and occupations. The Freedman’s Savings and Trust Company records, for example, include information about account holders’ family members, places of birth, residences, and occupations.

Funeral Home Records

Funeral home records often contain information about life insurance policies, as well as details about surviving relatives, former residences, and military service. These records can provide context about an ancestor’s final arrangements and familial connections.

Insurance records are a valuable yet underutilized resource in genealogical research. Whether you’re verifying family relationships, uncovering financial history, or tracing past residences, these records can provide unique insights that other documents may lack. While accessing them may require persistence, the effort can be well worth it, offering new details that enrich your family’s story.

If you’re looking for more guidance on using insurance records or other resources in your research, visit Loganalogy.com for expert tips and personalized assistance.

Resources:

“Customer Recordshttps://wiki.rootsweb.com/wiki/index.php/Customer Records.” Rootsweb. Accessed February 23, 2025. https://wiki.rootsweb.com/wiki/index.php/Customer_Recordshttps://wiki.rootsweb.com/wiki/index.php/Customer_Records.

Ancestry — 916444ac1bc31597. Accessed February 23, 2025. https://www.ancestry.com/search/categories/clp_bank/.

Accessed February 23, 2025. https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/United_States,_How_to_Find_Genealogy_Records.

Exploring Ireland’s Agricultural Fair Traditions

My county is about to open our Agricultural Fair, so I thought it would be a great time to highlight Ireland’s fair tradition.

For centuries, fairs and markets were essential to Ireland’s rural economy, shaping farm commerce and community life. Unlike today’s livestock marts, which operate regularly, Fair Days were held on specific dates that farmers and locals knew by heart. These events weren’t just about trade—they were deeply ingrained in the rhythm of rural life.

A Marketplace for Farmers and Communities

Farmers relied on fairs to sell their livestock, crops, and homemade goods, ensuring a steady income for their families. Some fairs specialized in cattle, sheep, or pigs, while others offered a mix of goods like hay, turf, potatoes, poultry, butter, eggs, bread, linen, and woven baskets.

Markets took place weekly, but Fair Days—held twice a year—were much larger, often lasting two days. These events brought buyers from cities and towns looking for the best local products. They also played a vital role in employment, with farmhands and factory workers securing jobs during the fair.

The Energy and Chaos of Fair Days

Each town had its own fair schedule, and farmers carefully prepared their livestock for sale. These events brought a surge of economic activity, as traders spent their earnings in local shops, pubs, and banks.

Smaller fairs focused on pigs and poultry, where animals were transported in horse- or donkey-drawn carts and kept in baskets or crates. Sheep and cattle fairs, however, were much larger and more chaotic. Farmers arrived the night before to claim their traditional selling spots, considered both strategic and lucky. Sheep had to be penned to prevent them from wandering, so wooden hurdles were set up in front of houses and shops, sometimes stretching for half a mile along Main Street.

Cattle fairs had a different energy. Without pens, herds filled the streets, creating what seemed like chaos to outsiders. Yet, there was an unspoken order, with farmers closely monitoring their animals while buyers moved through the crowds, haggling over prices. Many young boys, exhausted from walking cattle miles through the night, were left in charge while their fathers negotiated deals.

The Decline of Fair Days

By early morning, the fair was in full swing. Buyers and sellers bargained over livestock, often sealing deals with a handshake. While some towns had weighbridges, most transactions were based on the buyer’s experience, assessing an animal’s value without weighing it.

The decline of traditional fairs began in the 1970s with the rise of modern livestock marts. These new facilities, open multiple days a week and offering weight-based pricing, provided a more convenient and regulated system. Improved transportation and refrigeration also contributed to the disappearance of fowl markets. Over time, these changes brought an end to a centuries-old way of life, leaving modern generations with little understanding of the vibrant role fairs once played in Irish rural society.

Agricultural Fairs Around the World

While traditional Irish fairs have faded, agricultural fairs remain an important part of farming communities worldwide. Some of the most well-known include:

  • The Royal Highland Show (Scotland) – Showcasing livestock, farming innovations, and rural life.
  • The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair (Canada) – A premier event blending farm commerce with competitions.
  • The Sydney Royal Easter Show (Australia) – A massive fair featuring livestock judging, food, and entertainment.
  • The National Western Stock Show (United States) – A historic event celebrating cattle ranching and rodeo culture.

These fairs, like Ireland’s historic Fair Days, continue to honor agricultural traditions while adapting to modern times.

📸ChatGPT: The image depicts a bustling livestock fair in a quaint Irish town, reminiscent of the Puck Fair in Killorglin.

“IrelandXo.” Accessed March 31, 2025. https://irelandxo.com/ireland-xo/news/fair-days-in-ireland?_sc=NDk4ODc2OCMyODA4MzQ%3D&utm_campaign=The%20History%20of%20Fair%20Days%20in%20Ireland&utm_medium=email&utm_source=brevo.

Essential Beginners Search Strategies for Genealogy

Exploring family history research can be an exhilarating journey filled with the thrill of uncovering hidden stories and connections. Yet, how often have you found yourself typing a name into Ancestry.com, or another genealogy website, hoping for instant answers? While this method might occasionally yield results, more times than not, it leads to an overwhelming flood of search results that makes you feel lost and frustrated.

To truly unlock the treasures of your family’s past, it’s crucial to approach your research with a solid strategy. By doing so, you’ll work more efficiently, stay focused, and, most importantly, make significant discoveries that bring your family history to life. So, let’s delve into some effective steps to refine your genealogy search process and uncover the valuable records waiting for you.

Step 1: Understand the Website You’re Using

Each genealogy website has unique features and search tools. Before jumping into a search, take a few minutes to explore the About, Help, or FAQ pages. These resources often provide tips on the best ways to use the site. Think of it like following a recipe for a complex dish—without instructions, you might end up with a mess instead of a masterpiece!

Examples of Useful Help Resources

  • FamilySearch (Research Wiki) – A free, extensive guide organized by location and topic to help users understand different records and where to find them.
  • Ancestry.com (Learning Center) – Offers tutorials, search tips, and guides to specific record collections.
  • MyHeritage (Knowledge Base) – Explains how to use MyHeritage’s record collections, DNA tools, and more.
  • Findmypast (Help Center) – Provides detailed FAQs and search tips.
  • One-Step Webpages by Steve Morse (Guide to Using One-Step Tools) – Offers advanced search tools for census records, passenger lists, and other databases, with downloadable instructions.

Step 2: Learn About Record Collections Before You Search

Not all record collections are created equal. Some databases include indexed records with images, while others provide only text summaries. Some records are behind paywalls, while others are freely accessible. Understanding what is available before you search can help set realistic expectations and refine your search strategy.

Where to Find Collection Information:

  • FamilySearch Catalog – Explains who contributed records, where they can be accessed, and whether they are digitized or restricted.
  • Ancestry’s Card Catalog – Allows users to filter collections by record type, location, and time period.
  • MyHeritage and Findmypast Collection Overviews – Describe the scope of each record set, including its source and coverage.

Step 3: Use Search Filters and Wildcards

Once you understand the site and the records you’re searching, the next step is refining your search. Instead of just entering a name, try using search filters such as:

  • Date ranges (birth, marriage, death, immigration years)
  • Locations (town, county, country)
  • Relationships (searching for family members together)
  • Keywords (occupations, military service, etc.)

You can also use wildcards to account for spelling variations:

  • The asterisk (*) replaces multiple letters (e.g., Johnson finds Johnson, Johnsen, and Johanson).
  • The question mark (?) replaces a single letter (e.g., Sm?th finds Smith and Smyth).

Step 4: Take Notes and Keep Track of Searches

It’s easy to repeat the same searches or lose track of useful records. Keep a research log noting where you searched, what terms you used, and what results you found. This will help you adjust your approach and avoid frustration.

Step 5: Explore Beyond the Big Sites

While Ancestry, FamilySearch, and MyHeritage are major players, don’t forget:

  • State and Local Archives – Many have digitized collections or research guides.
  • University and Historical Society Websites – Offer regional records and special collections.
  • Library of Congress & National Archives – Provide federal land, military, and census records.

Conclusion

Successful genealogy research isn’t just about luck—it’s about strategy. By understanding how genealogy websites work, studying record collections, refining search techniques, and keeping track of your progress, you’ll save time and uncover more meaningful connections.

🔎 Need more help with your research? Visit Loganalogy.com for expert guidance and resources to streamline your journey!

Access Free BIRLS Military History Records Online

When researching family history, military records can provide invaluable insights into an ancestor’s service, personal details, and historical context. One exciting development in genealogical research is the release of the Beneficiary Identification Records Locator Subsystem (BIRLS) database, made freely accessible thanks to Reclaim The Records.

Who is Reclaim The Records?

Reclaim The Records is a non-profit organization dedicated to obtaining and releasing genealogical and historical records that have been restricted or difficult to access. By using Freedom of Information laws, they fight for transparency, ensuring that these valuable records are available for researchers and the general public at no cost. Their work has led to the public release of numerous databases, including birth, marriage, and death indexes, as well as military records like BIRLS.

What is BIRLS?

The BIRLS (Beneficiary Identification Records Locator Subsystem) Death File is a database originally maintained by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. It contains over 18 million records of deceased American veterans who received VA benefits. This database is a treasure trove for family historians seeking information about ancestors who served in the U.S. military.

What Information Can Be Found in BIRLS?

BIRLS records can provide genealogists with essential information about their military ancestors, including:

  • Full Name
  • Date of Birth
  • Date of Death
  • Branch of Service (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard)
  • Enlistment and Discharge Dates
  • Service Number (in some cases)

How Can Family Historians Use BIRLS?

Family historians can use BIRLS to:

  • Confirm an ancestor’s military service.
  • Identify service periods to locate additional military records, such as pension applications and service files.
  • Cross-reference enlistment and discharge dates with historical events.
  • Discover previously unknown military connections in their family tree.

Additional Military Records to Explore

While BIRLS provides key details, researchers should also explore other military records for a fuller picture, including:

  • Service Records – Held by the National Archives, these detail training, assignments, promotions, and more.
  • Pension Files – Often contain personal letters, affidavits, and family details.
  • Draft Registration Cards – Provide physical descriptions and next-of-kin information.
  • Grave Registration and Headstone Applications – Can confirm burial locations and military honors.
  • Unit Histories and Muster Rolls – Offer insights into an ancestor’s military experience.

How to Access BIRLS

Thanks to Reclaim The Records, the BIRLS Death File is now freely available online. Researchers can explore it at BIRLS.org.

Final Thoughts

If you have military ancestors, records like BIRLS can be a gateway to uncovering their service history and personal stories. Thanks to the efforts of Reclaim The Records, genealogists now have greater access to this essential database, helping to honor and preserve the legacy of those who served.

Need more help? Visit Loganalogy.com‘s Research Specialist page! I offer guidance to streamline your research, provide expert tips, and help you build a family tree that future generations will cherish.

“Search the BIRLS Database – over 18 million records about deceased US veterans, from the US Department of Veterans Affairs, now online and FREE from Reclaim The Records.” Over 18 million records about deceased US veterans. September 13, 2018. Accessed February 18, 2025. https://www.birls.org/?_ga=2.93582621.1435023336.1739853052-1851639642.1738727536.

Records, Reclaim The. “Reclaim The Records: Public Data for Public Use.” Reclaim The Records. May 18, 1889. Accessed February 18, 2025. https://www.reclaimtherecords.org/.

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A Scandalous Love Story: The Common-Law Marriage of John Weskett and Barbara Midgett in 1800s North Carolina

In the early 1800s on Roanoke Island, North Carolina, a romance blossomed that would challenge the social and legal norms of the time. This is the story of my 4th great-grandparents, John Weskett Jr. and Barbara “Barby” Midgett, whose relationship began as a scandal but endured to become a legitimate marriage spanning decades.

The Early Years

Barbara Midgett was born in 1787 and came from a prominent Roanoke Island family. In 1802, at just 15 years old, she married Ambrose N. Dough, an 18-year-old mariner1. The marriage seemed promising at first, with Barbara bringing 76 acres of inherited land to the union2. However, their relationship would soon take an unexpected turn.

A Marriage Falls Apart

While Ambrose was away at sea, Barbara began a relationship with John Weskett Jr., who was born between 1774 and 1780. By 1807, Barbara and John were living together openly, having already welcomed two children. When Ambrose returned from his voyage to discover this new arrangement, he found himself in an impossible situation.

The Failed Divorce Petition

In 1809, Ambrose petitioned the North Carolina legislature for divorce. In his emotional appeal, he described how he had improved Barbara’s land during their marriage but had “declined any further use of the same” after discovering her relationship with Weskett. Despite support from several prominent citizens, including members of the legislature, his petition was denied.

Property and Financial Matters

In an interesting twist, despite his complaints to the legislature, Ambrose had already sold Barbara’s 76 acres to John Weskett in 1804 for 400 silver dollars. This transaction would later become part of a complex web of property arrangements between the three parties.

A Family Grows

Unable to marry legally until after Ambrose’s death, John and Barbara continued their life together, eventually having seven children: Thomas, Samuel, Patrick, Sally, Polly, Harriett, and John (my 3rd great-grandfather). Their relationship, though technically illegal, was accepted enough in the community that they were able to conduct business and own property.

Legal Marriage at Last

On December 22, 1824, John and Barbara were finally able to formalize their relationship. They signed a detailed marriage contract that carefully protected Barbara’s property rights and provided for their children’s inheritance. This contract offers a fascinating glimpse into both the legal complexities of the time and the couple’s commitment to securing their family’s future.

Later Years

By 1830, Barbara had established herself as head of her own household, according to census records. The family owned three slaves initially, though by 1840 this number had decreased to one. The census also notes “1 insane white” in the household, possibly referring to John’s brother James.

Wescott Home.jpg

Home of three generations of Wescott's built around 1810. 
Moved from Manteo Airport in 1942 by D. Victor Meekins

Historical Significance

This family story has attracted scholarly attention, being featured in several academic works examining legal culture and gender relations in the post-Revolutionary South. It provides valuable insights into marriage, property rights, and social norms in early American society.

Endnotes

Barbara Midgett, The People and Their Peace: Currituck County, North Carolina, 1728–2000 (Currituck, North Carolina: Currituck County Historical Society, 2005), 170; digital images, Google Books (https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_People_and_Their_Peace/0cU3CwAAQBAJ: accessed 22 March 2026), entry referencing Barbara Midgett.

“Dare, North Carolina, United States records,” images, FamilySearch ({{FamilySearch Image | 3QSQ-G982-YCQW}} : Mar 23,
2026), image 414 of 668; Dare County (North Carolina). Register of Deeds.
Image Group Number: 007538808

Barbara Midgett, The People and Their Peace: Currituck County, North Carolina, 1728–2000 (Currituck, North Carolina: Currituck County Historical Society, 2005), 170; digital images, Google Books (https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_People_and_Their_Peace/0cU3CwAAQBAJ: accessed 22 March 2026), discussion of Ambrose’s legislative complaint and prior sale of Barbara Midgett’s 76 acres to John Weskett in 1804 for 400 silver dollars.

Barbara Midgett, The People and Their Peace: Currituck County, North Carolina, 1728–2000 (2005), 170–171; digital images, Google Books (https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_People_and_Their_Peace/0cU3CwAAQBAJ
: accessed 22 March 2026).

Barbara Midgett, The People and Their Peace: Currituck County, North Carolina, 1728–2000 (Currituck, North Carolina: Currituck County Historical Society, 2005), 170–171; digital images, Google Books (https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_People_and_Their_Peace/0cU3CwAAQBAJ: accessed 22 March 2026), describing the relationship of John Wescott and Barbara Midgett and naming their children Thomas, Samuel, Patrick, Sally, Polly, Harriett, and John.

“Currituck, North Carolina, United States records,” images, FamilySearch ({{FamilySearch Image | 3QS7-898B-WTH}} : Mar 23, 2026),
image 343 of 582; North Carolina. County Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions (Currituck County). Image Group Number: 007513637

1830 U.S. census, Currituck County, North Carolina, population schedule, John Wescott household; digital images, Ancestry ({{Ancestry Record|8058|185142}}: accessed 22 March 2026); citing National Archives microfilm publication M19.

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AI Tools Help Transcribe Captain Wescott’s Article

For many years, I had a newspaper article about my second great-grandfather, but it was torn into two sections, making it hard to read. Plus, the person who cut it out removed the date, newspaper title, and publisher, so I couldn’t find it. Recently, I discovered the article online, and thanks to some amazing AI tools, I was able to transcribe it! I’m excited to finally share it with everyone so we can all enjoy the story together!

Captain Wescott Preparing For Season On “Dry Body of Water”

The article about Captain Wescott is from The Waynesville Mountaineer, published on June 1, 1939.

“Yes, I was born on Roanoke Island, where Virginia Dare first saw the light, but she had left before I got there,” said Captain John T. Wescott, with a twinkle in his eyes.

The captain, a landmark at the Lake Junaluska Assembly Grounds, has been in charge of the rowboats and has run the launch “Cherokee,” in which he has a third interest, for the past twenty-one years. Prior to his coming to the Lake, the captain had retired from the United States Coast Guard service, after 43 years of active duty.

“But I date back pretty well, even if I didn’t know Virginia,” continued Captain Wescott. “I was born in 1853, and I well recall the days when General Burnside captured Roanoke Island during the Civil War. We had food stored away to do us a year, but the soldiers took everything, and after they left, it looked like starvation. We had forty hogs and forty chickens, and they took them all. One of the Yankee officers, however, took an old hen away from one of the privates and came back and brought it to my mother. She kept it hidden in a barrel in the attic until she was sure the soldiers had left for good.”

“Another thing I remember were the decoy geese my father had and prized so much. They took them all and his guns too. We had been taking care of two Confederate soldiers who were wounded and suffering, and had asked us to give them shelter. So, when the Yankees found out about them, they took my father a prisoner. But what’s the use of recalling such things at this time? Somebody might have hard feelings about it, and I don’t mean it that way. I am just remembering when I was a child.”

Captain Wescott, erect, stocky, and ruddy-faced, denies in appearance and bearing the years he claims make up his age. He shows the clear skin of a person who has lived much in the open. His quarters in the Cherokee Inn, where he lives six months out of the year, are as immaculate as the cabin of a well-scrubbed ship. He showed us about. His closet, cedar-lined and large enough to hold a good-sized trunk, boxes, plenty of shelves, and rows of hooks for hanging garments, is as neat as a pin. Everything is in its place. But one could have guessed without being told where his great interest lay, for there were boat models.

“Yes, for twenty-one years I have run the ‘Cherokee’ on a regular schedule around the lake from 7 to 8 o’clock every evening except Sunday, during the entire season here. I always come early in April to get the rowboats and the launch ready for the summer,” he said.

“But after my years on the sea, I’ll have to admit that Lake Junaluska is the tamest body of water I have ever run a boat on. It’s like taking a broken dose of something for me to run the launch on Lake Junaluska, but then at 86, that’s alright, because I can’t do the work I once did,” said the captain.

“But I don’t like the looks of the lake a bit these days,” he continued. “Right now, it looks like I might have to hoist the old ‘Cherokee’ on wheels, because she has a poor chance of floating anytime soon. We are having a lot of dam trouble down here, but I think the good Methodists are having fun talking about their dam troubles,” he said when speaking of the present condition of the lake.

Lake Junaluska has been drained for work on the lake bed, and it may not be filled until July, which seems to be mighty hard on the captain, who is at work on his boats, getting them ready to float, with a “dry body of water facing the boathouse,” as he says.

The captain’s 43 years of service were seen in the Revenue Cutter, Life Saving, and Inland Service of the Government, and he was located some fifty-five miles from Cape Henry in the coast guard service for 30 years, retiring at the age limit of 65.

After his retirement, two of his daughters, school girls at the time, came to Lake Junaluska, and were so enthusiastic that they persuaded their mother and father to come to this section the next year. They did so, and both liked it. They soon bought the Cherokee Inn, which they owned and operated for many years.

Two years prior to the death of Mrs. Wescott, they rented the Inn to Mr. and Mrs. Claude Medford, who bought the place about three years ago and have since operated it. The captain has continued to make his home at the Inn, during the time he spends in this section.

The rest of the year, the captain spends with his six children, who are scattered from Greenville, Ky., to Richmond, Va. The greater part of the six months out of the mountains is spent with his son, who lives in Norfolk. When his longing for the old life on the coast of North Carolina gets too much for him, he visits his brother down in Manteo.

“I’ll be coming to Lake Junaluska to run the ‘Cherokee’ as long as I live,” said the captain. “I feel more at home here than most any place now.”

Footnote: We, my genealogical cousins and I, have been unable to find any record of John Senior being a POW, but that does not mean he was not one. It could have been an overnight stay in jail, or he had to pay a fine, or he was part of the prisoner exchange.

Read my blog to discover the incredible story of Captain Wescott and uncover the fascinating details about this remarkable man!