Every year, I discover more stories - histories, really - from my mom and her sisters. Most are about our family and others who lived in this rural Nebraska community. Today, I found out my great grandfather's brother was a county judge, quite harsh, too, according to these family historians.
I look forward to this annual history field trip.
For years, as we've walked to our family plot, we've passed a towering pine tree and a worn, faded grave stone, the resting place of a Civil War soldier.
No flowers adorn his grave.
Not this year. Not ever, if my memory is still sharp.
This year, I lingered and took note: Jacob Stege, OO.A., 9 N.Y. Cav.
Who was Jacob and how did he end up in Northeast Nebraska? Did he have family in the region? When did he pass away?
I sense a story. In fact, I'm making this one of my summer projects. With my genealogy expert (a.k.a. my mother) helping, I'm hoping we can discover Jacob's past, and maybe even a link to the present.
It's always said you can find a story anywhere. While I didn't expect to find a story in the cemetery, the intrigue and mystery caught my attention.
And this year, a bouquet of pink daisies and tiger lilies honor Jacob.
by LuAnn Schindler
2 comments:
And LuAnn, what you can't find out (fact-wise), make it up (historical fiction-wise)...
I love this post, LuAnn! I am also doing my genealogy and have found people I have had no knowledge of...what a great idea to dig to find a story - and then, share it!!
Thanks for sharing this!
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