From the Memoirs of Lenawee County, Michigan: from the earliest historical times down to the present, including a genealogical and biographical record of representative families in Lenawee County by Richard Illenden Bonner (born 1838), I found the following on pages 274-275 of my West family ancestor, Wilber West, son of Benjamin and Polly (Disbrow) West, [...]

According to the Federal Naturalization Act of 1802, three years of residency were required before someone could file for a Declaration of Intent to become a citizen of the United States. The Federal Naturalization Act of 1824 reduced the time between filing a Declaration of Intent and Naturalization from three to two years.
But [...]

In my research, I found a copy of a July 1972 article in the Milwaukee Journal called “They Wanted to Get here in the Worst Way - and Did” by Brian Dunning. I thought it might help me understand what it was like for my ancestors who arrived in the 1800s to the United States.
Things [...]

It took ten years but the amazing book on the history of Snohomish County, Washington, is now available. “Snohomish County: An Illustrated History” features 432 pages packed with geological, environmental, historical, social, and political history of Snohomish County. There are 400 photographs, maps, and topical sidebars with many illustrations by local artist Bernie Webber.
Project coordinators [...]

The following is another story by Robert Knapp (1913-1994) about his childhood growing up in Northern Wisconsin, in a small logging community called Taylor Rapids, not far from Goodman. While the logging camps, homes, school, and human occupation of the area is now gone, his memories and stories keep the place and the people alive.
In [...]

Reference.com has a list of “Notable Historic Train and Rail Accidents” that includes many international train wrecks and disasters.
I have a note in a journal by Emma (Primley) Knapp about a train derailment at Glyem Spurr near Taylor Rapids and Goodman in Northeastern Wisconsin. Used by the railroads as well as residents dependent upon [...]

Faked marriage. Many marriages. Divorce. Adultry. Drugs and alcohol. Mental illness. Abandoned children. Orphanages. All this soap opera material adds up to our major mystery ancestor: Louella Brunner Pinder West Moorhause Parrett.
It’s really tough when much of the information you have on an ancestor is hearsay, gossip, rumors, and terrible family stories. But that’s all [...]

The following story is told by Robert Knapp (1913-1994) of his first job in the logging camps of northern Wisconsin, around the Taylor Rapids - Goodman area in Marinette County. The events in this story happened in the winter of 1928.

Wisconsin, with it’s long cold winters, deep snows, and seemingly ever lasting icy conditions, implants [...]

The following story by Robert Knapp (1913-1994) was written as part of a creative writing class. It highlights the rough life and work of towing logs on the Skagit River in Washington State during the 1930-1950s. People mentioned include Captain Charles Elwell (captain and pilot of The Skagit Chief tug boat), Otto Ellingsworth (engineer), Herby [...]

The following tale was written by Robert Knapp (1913-1994) as part of creative writing classes he took in his later years. The story is about an adventure with his brothers, Wayne P. and Lloyd Knapp. His mother, Emma (Primley) Knapp, is also featured. The story takes place on the Peshtigo River near their family home [...]