-
20th Century America, American Folk Music, American Midwest History, Community Builders, Family Legends, Historical Genealogy, Labor and Industry History, Musical Heritage, Oral Tradition, Public Service Legacy, Railroad Heritage, Rural Americana, Small-Town Iowa Stories, Timber and RailroadsCall and Response: Railroad Tales of Jacob S. Miller
View story: Call and Response: Railroad Tales of Jacob S. Miller“Pick it up!” Grandpa Jake chanted, tapping twice on the desk. Dorris stomped her foot, “Lay it down!” They went on like that, his baritone and her alto voice echoing off the walls in the call and response of railroad workers.
-
19th century America, 20th Century America, American Feuds, American Legal History, American Midwest History, American Ozarks History, Community Builders, Family Legends, Oral Tradition, Ozark Folklore, Pioneer Stories, Rural AmericanaThe Huzzah Creek Feud: Sallie Tubbs Remembers
View story: The Huzzah Creek Feud: Sallie Tubbs Remembers“That road there,” Sallie said, pointing toward the dusty road, “is where the big family feud came to a head.” In 1915, at her 82nd birthday, Sallie Tubbs Camden told the tale of disputed land, fallen trees, bloodshed, and silence, the tale of the Huzzah Creek Feud.
-
19th century America, American Midwest History, Community Builders, Coping with Loss, Family Legends, Historical Genealogy, immigrant journeys, Love and Remarriage, Lutheranism, Norwegian-American Heritage, Oral Tradition, Pioneer Stories, Scandinavian Traditions, Surviving Tragedy, Wisconsin HistoryThe Names We Keep: Anders Bergum’s story
View story: The Names We Keep: Anders Bergum’s storyWhen Jens Andersen married his late friend’s widow, he did something extraordinary—he took the Bergum name as his own, ensuring Anders’ legacy would not be forgotten. Through weathered signatures, quiet vows, and the names carved in stone, this is the story of how a family name was chosen, not inherited.
-
19th century America, 20th Century America, American Ozarks History, Faith and Spirituality, Historical Genealogy, Motherhood and Sacrifice, Rural AmericanaThe Call Up the Hill: Myrtle Payne’s Final Reflections
View story: The Call Up the Hill: Myrtle Payne’s Final ReflectionsMyrtle put down the engraved guitar pick she’d been studying and sighed. “I don’t know, Harper. It just feels like my days are numbered, you know? I’m gettin’ old.” She tapped a pile of photographs. “That one’s for Cliff, this one’s for Agnes. And Delmer—any musical stuff goes to him.”
-
20th Century America, American Midwest History, Community Builders, Early 20th Century Agriculture, Family Legends, Farm Life, Great Depression Stories, Historical Genealogy, Military Service Stories, Public Service Legacy, Social Welfare, WW1The Employment Man: Glenn Hastie Mitchell’s Legacy of Work
View story: The Employment Man: Glenn Hastie Mitchell’s Legacy of WorkGlenn Mitchell sat at his desk, matching the unemployed with any work he could find. A veteran, a single mother, a desperate father—each one left with purpose. But jobs weren’t enough. His greatest project, the community gardens, turned empty land into food, dignity, and survival.
-
19th century America, 20th Century America, American Midwest History, American Ozarks History, Black Hawk War, Civil War, Community Builders, Coping with Loss, Craftsmanship and Artistry, Historical Genealogy, Military Service Stories, Motherhood and Sacrifice, Oral Tradition, Sisterhood, Strong Women, Surviving Tragedy, War of 1812, WW1Threads of War: Rachel Blackwell’s Memorial Quilt
View story: Threads of War: Rachel Blackwell’s Memorial QuiltRachel Elvira Blackwell’s hands, weathered by time, stitched steadily under the warm glow of the hearth. Around her, daughters laughed and sewed, their quilt a tapestry of family history—threads of war, love, and loss woven into each square. At its heart, a gold star gleamed, honoring sacrifice and memory.
-
19th century America, 20th Century America, American Midwest History, Community Builders, Fraternal Organizations, Historical Genealogy, Masonic History, Odd Fellows, Oral Tradition, Pioneer Stories, Public Service Legacy, UncategorizedAn Odd Fellow with an Oath: Arthur Miller’s Journey of Friendship, Love, and Truth
View story: An Odd Fellow with an Oath: Arthur Miller’s Journey of Friendship, Love, and TruthArthur Miller traced the painting’s path with a trembling hand. “Friendship, Love, and Truth,” he said, “are more than words—they’re a map for life.” As he prepared to pass the Noble Grand mantle to his son, he reflected on his journey: a pioneer’s struggles, family sacrifices, and the steadfast bonds of the Odd Fellows.
-
20th Century America, American Dream Stories, American Midwest History, American Ozarks History, Community Builders, Great Depression Stories, Labor and Industry History, Mining Heritage, Ozark Folklore, Rural Americana, Tuberculosis EpidemicWeight of the Earth: The Plagued Life of Christopher Maples
View story: Weight of the Earth: The Plagued Life of Christopher MaplesEngaged in work in the deadly mines of Picher, Oklahoma, Christopher Maples battled suffocating dust, ruthless exploitation, and the slow grip of tuberculosis. His relentless fight for a meaningful life echoed the struggles of a town consumed by industry, leaving behind a haunting legacy of resilience, regret, and the unyielding pursuit of the American Dream.
-
19th century America, 20th Century America, American Midwest History, carpentry, Community Builders, Craftsmanship and Artistry, Family Legends, Historical Genealogy, immigrant journeys, Lutheranism, Norwegian-American Heritage, Oral Tradition, Pioneer Stories, Scandinavian Traditions, Small-Town Iowa StoriesJacob Oleson Aase: The Carpenter from Stavanger
View story: Jacob Oleson Aase: The Carpenter from StavangerFrederikke sat by the window, cradling their newborn, Fritz, as the noisy streets of Chicago bustled below. Jacob returned from the construction site, his hands calloused and his spirit weary. ‘This isn’t what we dreamed of,’ she whispered. Her words lingered, sparking their plan to seek new beginnings in Iowa.
-
19th century America, American Ozarks History, Civil War, Coping with Loss, Faith and Spirituality, Historical Genealogy, Motherhood and Sacrifice, Ozark Folklore, Pioneer Stories, Pyatt Hollow, Sisterhood, Strong Women, Surviving TragedyFrom Civil War to Pyatt Hollow: The Bryan Sisters’ Unbreakable Bond
View story: From Civil War to Pyatt Hollow: The Bryan Sisters’ Unbreakable Bond“We’ve lost so much,” Amy whispered, tracing the worn leather of the family Bible. The names of their husbands shimmered faintly in the dim firelight. Mary squeezed her sister’s hand tightly. “But we still have each other,” she replied softly. Together, they vowed to face whatever the future held.
Welcome to My Kindred Chronicles
Scroll down to start reading stories, or learn more about this site.
If you prefer to navigate by family name, use this page.
Put in your email here to get notified when a new blog posts.
Popular STORIES
site manager
I’m Amanda, the manager of My Kindred Chronicles, and I’m dedicated to uncovering and sharing the rich tapestry of our family history. With a deep passion for storytelling and genealogy, I hope to bring to life the narratives of our ancestors.
My Kindred Chronicles 