Vita Brevis

Royal cartes de visite: Part Three

January 23, 2018 Photographs, International genealogical research, Collections, A Genealogist's Diary, Object Lessons, Family stories Scott C. Steward

[This series on royal cartes de visite began here.]

Albert Edward, Prince of Wales, with his sister Princess Alice. Carte de visite by Mayall Studio

Queen Victoria and Prince Albert viewed Prussia as their ideal among the multitude of German kingdoms,..

Continue reading →

View all comments

Patterns

January 16, 2018 American History, Serendipity, Brick Walls, A Genealogist's Diary, Family stories, Road Trips Scott C. Steward

My grandfather, at right, receives the Bronze Star from the Assistant Secretary of the Navy. My grandmother stands between them.

John Tyler’s recent blog post on Elizabeth Knapp of Groton has a personal element for me, as I am descended through my maternal..

Continue reading →

View all comments

'Something to remember'

January 12, 2018 American History, Family papers, A Genealogist's Diary, NEHGS Collections, U.S. Presidents Scott C. Steward

Allen, ca. 1860. Courtesy of the Maryland Historical Society, Item PP231.236

While to us the Civil War ended suddenly, over a period of days early in April 1865, for Regina Shober Gray [1] it still dragged on at the end of the month:

61 Bowdoin Street, Boston,..

Continue reading →

View all comments

Royal cartes de visite: Part Two

January 05, 2018 Photographs, International genealogical research, Collections, A Genealogist's Diary, Object Lessons, Family stories Scott C. Steward

[This series on royal cartes de visite began here.]

Princess Beatrice by Mayall Studio.

Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha was created Prince Consort in 1857, the year his youngest child – Princess Beatrice – was born. When the Prince Consort died in 1861, his..

Continue reading →

View all comments

2017: the year in review concluded

January 01, 2018 Critical Analysis, African American Research, ICYMI, International genealogical research, Genealogical Writing, American History, Mayflower 2020, Spotlight, Collections, A Genealogist's Diary, Family stories Scott C. Steward

On Friday, I wrote about some of the most widely-read Vita Brevis posts of 2017. To mark the beginning of the next year, here are six more popular posts showcasing the range of subjects covered in a blog that publishes about 250 posts a year. (In fact, Vita Brevis..

Continue reading →

View all comments

2017: the year in review

December 29, 2017 Critical Analysis, African American Research, ICYMI, Genealogical Writing, American History, Serendipity, Research Methods, A Genealogist's Diary, Family stories, Road Trips Scott C. Steward

As the old year winds down over the next few days, I hope that dedicated Vita Brevis readers will spare a few moments to (re)read some of the most popular posts of 2017. (The second part of this omnibus post will run on New Year’s Day 2018.) The following twelve posts..

Continue reading →

View all comments

'The old familiar music'

December 26, 2017 American History, A Genealogist's Diary, Object Lessons, NEHGS Collections, Family stories Scott C. Steward

Allen, ca. 1860. Courtesy of the Maryland Historical Society, Item PP231.236

Skipping ahead in the Regina Shober Gray [1] diary to Christmas 1870, the Gray family – along with Mrs. Gray’s siblings, the Shobers, and the diarist’s closest friends – was both generous..Continue reading →

View all comments

'Crushed by our great loss'

December 20, 2017 American History, Family papers, A Genealogist's Diary, NEHGS Collections, U.S. Presidents Scott C. Steward

Allen, ca. 1860. Courtesy of the Maryland Historical Society, Item PP231.236

Regina Shober Gray’s [1] account of the aftermath of Abraham Lincoln’s assassination continues, although a hint of the return of normal life appears at the end of her 23 April entry.

61..

Continue reading →

View all comments