Category: Oral Tradition
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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.
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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.
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The Names We Keep: Anders Bergum’s story
When 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.
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Threads of War: Rachel Blackwell’s Memorial Quilt
Rachel 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.
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An Odd Fellow with an Oath: Arthur Miller’s Journey of Friendship, Love, and Truth
Arthur 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.
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Jacob Oleson Aase: The Carpenter from Stavanger
Frederikke 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.
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Keep an Eye on the Baby: Daisy’s Journey to Stay Close to Her Family
Daisy leaned her head against the bus window, the rhythmic hum of the tires carrying her thoughts back through the years. Sylvia’s advice echoed softly in her mind: “Keep one eye on the baby.” It wasn’t just about watching over them as children, Daisy realized—it was about being there, always. Every journey she’d taken, every…
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Abner Mitchell’s Final Hour: A Wisconsin Pioneer’s Reflections
Abner Mitchell’s 84th birthday brought his family together one last time, gathering in the glow of the parlor’s firelight. As the mantel clock ticked toward midnight, Abner shared stories of war, faith, and the land he built in Wisconsin, leaving behind a legacy etched in both the soil and the hearts of his descendants.
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Folklore and Faith: The Legend That Was Reverend JT Barton
In the heart of the Ozark hills, where legends grow like dogwood trees, the story of Reverend JT Barton endures. Born of Cherokee blood and raised along Brushy Creek, JT straddled two worlds—one rooted in the wilderness and the other in faith. With a Bible in one hand and a Winchester rifle in the other,…
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My Kindred Chronicles 