Category Archives: Family Lines

A Letter from the Past – Florence Darling to Bertha Huber, 1934

Posted on October 8, 2025 by Don Taylor

A 1934 letter from Florence Darling to Bertha Huber reveals family health struggles, caregiving, and correspondence that kept loved ones connected—a valuable glimpse into daily life for genealogists. Continue reading →

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Howell’s in the Censuses – Henry, Gideon, and Peter

Posted on September 21, 2025 by Don Taylor

Exploring the census records of Henry, Gideon, and Peter Howell in Buckingham County, Virginia, to uncover clues about the father of Peter M. Howell (1805–1865). This research examines 1840–1870 census evidence, agricultural schedules, and possible family connections. Continue reading →

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The Heer Surname: Origins & Ancestors

Posted on July 30, 2025 by Don Taylor

This post explores the origin and meaning of the Heer surname, once a noble title in Switzerland, and follows its lineage through eight generations in Canton Glarus. From Sarah Heer to Florence Wilma Huber Darling, it traces the family’s deep Swiss roots and highlights modern surname distribution and descendant statistics. Continue reading →

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The Brewer Surname: Origins, Ancestors & Legacy

Posted on May 10, 2025 by Don Taylor

Discovering Brewer Roots 🧬🍺

From 17th-century Wales to colonial Maryland and colonial Virginia, my wife’s Brewer ancestors left a remarkable legacy. The surname “Brewer” comes from the Old English brēowan — to brew — and today over 160,000 people share this historic name. Her earliest known Brewer, John Brewer (1620–1664), helped lay the foundation for generations that followed. Continue reading →

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Ida & Donna in the News: Discoveries from the Albion Recorder

Posted on May 5, 2025 by Don Taylor

By Don Taylor Thanks to recent digitization efforts by NewspaperArchives.com, I’ve uncovered several fascinating mentions of my ancestors in the Albion Recorder (Albion, Michigan). These newly discovered newspaper clippings have provided valuable glimpses into the lives of my great-grandmother, Ida … Continue reading →

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