by Sharon Hall | Aug 16, 2014 | Surname Saturday
I ran across this surname while walking through a prairie cemetery in Lubbock County, Texas: My curiosity was piqued to find out its origins. As always there will be more than one opinion as to a surname’s origin – here are three theories: One source believes that the...
by Sharon Hall | Aug 15, 2014 | Feisty Females
In December of 1848 a man and woman, both born into slavery, devised a scheme – a ruse – which would lead them to freedom. Their reason for embarking on such a daring adventure was later eloquently stated in the opening lines of their memoir, Running A Thousand...
by Sharon Hall | Aug 13, 2014 | Digging History Magazine, Wild West Wednesday
Historical accounts vary as to whether today’s Wild West character came by his name via the middle name of “Xavier” or it was a family nickname, or he just adopted “X” as his name after becoming a well-known member of the Montana Vigilantes. Following the big 1863...
by Sharon Hall | Aug 11, 2014 | Mothers of Invention
If you’re in law enforcement or serve your country in the military, you have today’s “mother of invention” to thank for helping protect you when bullets are flying. Stephanie Louise Kwolek was born on July 31, 1923 in New Kensington, Pennsylvania to parents John and...
by Sharon Hall | Aug 9, 2014 | Surname Saturday
Today’s surname originated in France, derived from the French word “roche” which means rocky crag or someone who lived near a rocky crag. After the Norman invasion in the late eleventh century, the name became more prevalent throughout both England and Ireland, but...
