October 24, 2014

How Time Flies: Four Years and Counting


A certain milestone crept up on me this week while I wasn’t looking. Hard as it is for me to believe, it’s been four years since I published my first post here at A Sense of Family.

I remember how thrilled I was to get my first comments and followers. The idea that people out in cyberspace were actually reading what I wrote? Amazing! It still amazes me when I stop to think about it.

From the beginning, I found generous support from Thomas MacEntee’s community of Geneabloggers, from which treasured friendships have sprung. I learned about the ins and outs of genealogy blogging from Dear Myrtle, Randy Seaver, Tonia Kendrick, Caroline Pointer, and many others. Gradually I developed my voice, and before I knew it, I had a whole year under my belt. Turn around and it was two, then three years.

A big thanks to all those who dedicate their time to writing blogs about genealogy, family history, cemeteries, genealogy education, and family history writing. Your posts continually inspire and inform me. I really admire the talent found in our niche of the web.

Even though I haven’t been blogging as frequently lately, it’s no secret that I enjoy writing about my ancestors. This year I’ve been inspired by Amy Johnson Crow’s series, "52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks," on No Story Too Small. I’m not going to make it anywhere close to 52, but I still count myself ahead—because let’s face it, any family story preserved is a victory.

I also like sharing news, resources, and tips that I think might interest you. It’s gratifying to be able to pass along some of the things I learn and discover, as well as events I’m excited about. I hope these things energize you to make discoveries of your own.

Whether you’ve read A Sense of Family a few times, a few months, or the whole four years, thanks for joining me on this journey. I’m grateful to each and every one of my readers—without you, I’d just be some crazy lady talking to myself about dead people all the time. Hope you’ll come along for act five.


--Shelley

October 22, 2014

Happy Campers at Boy Scouts Camp Ro-Fre-Lo, 1929: Wordless Wednesday


My grandfather, Freddy Herrel, is the fellow in the center of this troop of Boy Scouts (with his hands on his buddy’s shoulders). It looks like they’re having fun, doesn’t it? I love the wide-brimmed hats.

Fred dated the photo 1929 and labeled it “BSOA Camp Ro-Fre-Lo” in his scrapbook. He was 15 years old. It looks like the cabins are closed up for the winter, so the troop may have been there to help with the opening or closing. My guess is it was taken in November, March, or early April, because the trees are bare.

A Google search for Camp Ro-Fre-Lo didn’t give me any results, and I couldn’t identify it on this list of America’s Oldest Boy Scout Camps. Freddy lived in the German Village community of Columbus, Ohio, and his troopmates probably hailed from the same area. So I imagine the camp was in Ohio, Kentucky, or western Pennsylvania. The name he gave may be short for a longer one. Does anyone know where this camp might have been?


--Shelley

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