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I made this ribbon skirt some years ago for a women’s full moon ceremony. It was the first ribbon skirt that I sewed and it has a few flaws that are better covered up. So I made a light pink overlay so I could wear it with confidence. I began this wall hanging more than 20 years ago. I found it wrapped in tissue in … Continue reading Finally finishing old projects
My 3 eldest grandsons and I rode Amtrak trains back and forth across the United States for a month. We visited several cities and had great time. We’re back in Massachusetts and a bit tired now and a lot closer as a family. Chicago Our first stop was Chicago – Los Angeles View from the train – Chicago to LA Seattle San Francisco View of … Continue reading Kokummus (grandmother)
When I think about my dad, it’s not my biological father that comes to mind. The man I call ‘Daddy’, Alfred Bruce Shepard, was my step-father. He raised me and loved me as if I were his biological child and I am forever grateful for it. When I discovered I was pregnant with my first child, I called him first – weeks before I told … Continue reading Muriel and Alfred Shepard
Mary Jane (Scott) Smith and her son, James Martin Smith. William Bullard, Mary Jane and James Martin Smith, about 1900, courtesy of Frank Morrill and Clark University. Mary Jane Scott was born on 13 Nov 1862 in West Boylston to Edward W. Scott and Catherine Annie Jackson. Edward and Catherine were former slaves who traveled from their birthplace in Warrenton, VA to Massachusetts with … Continue reading Mary Jane (Scott) Smith and James Martin Smith
Florence Shepard, Sarah Scott Shepard, and Eugene Shepard, Jr. circa 1900 in Worcester, MA William Bullard, Mrs. Shepard and Two Children, about 1900, courtesy of Frank Morrill, the Worcester Art Museum, and Clark University. Sarah Ann Scott is my 3rd great-aunt. She was the daughter of Edward Scott and Catherine Annie Jackson of Warrenton, VA. You can read more about Sarah’s parents and her younger brother, … Continue reading Sarah (Scott) Shepard
A hot topic among First Nations Peoples in Canada this month is the claim of a well-known Canadian writer that he is Indigenous and therefore eligible to represent Indigenous People and even to accept award money on behalf of his ‘Nativeness.’ Specifically, the author claims that he has “Nipmuc roots from Dartmouth, Massachusetts on my father’s side and Ojibwe roots … on my mother’s side.” While I … Continue reading Award-winning Canadian Author Claims that Dartmouth Indians are Really Nipmuc?
It seems like every genealogist on Facebook posted their version of the colorful Excel chart developed by Geneaspy blogger, J Paul Hawthorne. So without further ado, here’s my 5-generation Excel chart showing the birthplaces of myself and my ancestors. As you can see, I am a New Englander. And here’s a 6-generation chart which shows a little bit of variation. Aquene! Continue reading The #mycolorfulancestry Craze
A friend and I – Photo by Stacey Tufts We celebrated our 92nd Annual powwow this past Sunday. The Creator gave us glorious weather and a great crowd. Here are a few photos from the event. All the below photos were taken by Dave TallPine. The Elders Continue reading Hassanamisco Indian Fair
Death came in the early morning hours on May 19, 1676. Hundreds of Native families were gathered under the Falls on the for the annual fish run. In May and June of each year, salmon, shad, eel, lamprey and herring made their journey upstream to spawn. The Connecticut River was thick with fish, making it an ideal time to gather food for the entire year. … Continue reading Battle of Great Falls or Massacre at Peskeompskut
I heard some folks talking during a recent event about their ancestor, Joseph Pegan, and his Revolutionary War service. They sounded a little proprietary to me, as if he belonged only to their family. Which seemed strange because he is a claimed ancestor to hundreds of Nipmucs including those belonging to these families – Henries, Sprague, Nichols, White, Wilson, and mine! Dudley, Massachusetts vital records … Continue reading Not Just YOUR Ancestor – Joseph Pegan, Revolutionary War Veteran
Cheryll Toney Holley 