Remembering My Uncle John Paul Wagner III: A Celebration of His Life
In which I celebrate the life of my Uncle John Paul Wagner III, my mother’s brother, who died Oct. 23, 2026; and discuss his love for model airplanes, the comic strip Peanuts, cars, music, his pets, and his wife Debbie.
Faith, Community, and Global Missions: How the Traughber Family Shaped Early History at Hollywood Christian Church
In which I describe the history of Hollywood Christian Church and discuss how my great-grandparents, Dr. William Francis “Frank” Traughber and Nora Petree Traughber, as well as their children (including my grandmother Margaret), served as core members for several decades — taking on many leadership roles, participating in numerous charitable and social events (including many dramatic presentations), hosting global missionaries, acting as Sunday School teachers, and more.
Exploring Burgenland, Part VII: Home, Faith, Schooling, Health, and the Little Burgenland Community
In which I discuss the “Little Burgenland” community that grew up in Chicago’s Back of the Yards and what life was like for them in terms of housing, religious practices (specifically at St. Augustine Church), schooling, health concerns, and community support.
Exploring Burgenland, Part VI: Life in Chicago’s “Back of the Yards,” Packingtown, and the Pullman Legacy
In which I talk about what it was like to set foot off the boat in Ellis Island, then move to Chicago — “Burgenland’s largest city” — and find employment, often at the Union Stock Yards, Packingtown, or the various railroad companies, such as Pullman.
Exploring Burgenland, Part V: A Look at Burgenland Emigration — Why Did So Many Leave, and Where Did They Go?
In which I examine why so many emigrants left West Hungary (later Burgenland,, Austria) in the late 1800’s/early 1900’s, including my great grandparents, and take a look at where they went and how they got there.
Exploring Burgenland, Part IV: A Visit to Güssing to see a Castle, an Open-Air Museum, and some Panoramic Views, plus some Batthyány Family History
In which I discuss our visit to the district of Güssing in South Burgenland, where we visited Güssing Castle, took in panoramic views in Neudauberg-Burgauberg, and explored the Freilichtmuseum Ensemble Gerersdorf (aka. The Gerersdorf Open-Air Museum Ensemble) in Gerersdorf to learn more about what life was like for my Burgenland ancestors; I also explain some history of the powerful Batthyány Family, who made Güssing Castle their home for more than 500 years.
Exploring Burgenland, Part III: A Visit to Oberdorf im Burgenland and a look at St. Anne’s Church, the Erdődy Family’s Feudal Rotenturm Estate, and the Peasant Lifestyle in Hungary
In which I describe our visit to Oberdorf, Austria, birthplace of my great grandmother Anna Halper; our tour of Oberdorf’s St. Anne’s Church; and some history of the Erdődy family, who were the feudal landlords over the area, and the life of peasants in that part of Hungary back in the 1700-1800’s.
Exploring Burgenland, Part II: A Visit to Unterwart and a Brief Look at some Hungarian History — including Attila the Hun!
In which I describe my visit to the village of Unterwart in Burgenland, Austria — the birthplace of my great grandfather John Paul Wagner (back when it was still part of Hungary) — and explain some Hungarian history, including its connection to Attila the Hun.
Exploring Burgenland, Part I: A Visit to the Capital of Eisenstadt & Some Burgenland History
In which I describe our visit to Eisenstadt, the capital of Burgenland, Austria; explain some Burgenland history (as a lead up to further exploring my great grandparents’ history); and share photos and stories from ours visits to Schloss Esterházy, Haydn House, Stadtvilla Eissenstadt, Forchtenstein Castle, and more.
Exploring Dr. W. F. Traughber’s Rotary Club Connections and the History of the Los Angeles Rotary Club
In which I discuss the history of the Rotary Club of Los Angeles and Dr. W. F. Traughber’s involvement in it, with a focus on the club’s work with the Community Settlement House and its hosting of golf tournaments.
A Tour of the Hotel Del Monte in Monterey - the Starting Point for Frank and Nora’s Historic Honeymoon Adventure
In which I discuss my recent tour of the Hotel Del Monte in Monterey, which served as the starting point for “Frank and Nora’s Historic Honeymoon Adventure,” and share many photos of the hotel (which now serves as the Naval Postgraduate School) and its surrounding property.
An Early Look at Paso Robles – one of our Favorite Places to Visit – through my Great Grandmother Nora’s Letters and the Pioneer Historical Park & Museum
In which I discuss the history of Paso Robles, with a focus on its sulphur baths and historic hotel; share an excerpt from my great grandmother Nora Traughber’s 1939 letter describing her visit to Paso Robles to enjoy its healing waters; and describe some of my own visits with Mike to enjoy this wonderful place.
A Return to the Historic Petree House - This Time for a Tour!
In which I describe and share many photos from my recent tour with my father of the historic Petree House in San Jose, where my great grandparents were married on August 17, 1905.
A Look at Distant Cousin “Diamond-Tooth Charlie” and His Work in Establishing USC’s College of Physicians and Surgeons and the Angelus Hospital
In which I discuss Dr. Charles William Bryson, also known as “Diamond-Tooth Charlie,” and how he helped establish USC’s College of Physicians and Surgeons and the Angelus Hospital; and I explain his family connections to my great grandfather, Dr. W. F. Traughber.
Exploring the History of Hollywood High School - the Traughber Family’s Alma Mater
In which I discuss the history of Hollywood High School, from which my grandmother, Margaret Ruth Traughber, and her brothers all graduated; and share photos and stories from her 1927 senior yearbook.
Living Across from Charlie Chaplin Studio: The Traughbers’ First-Hand View of the Hollywood Movie Industry (and a Look at Charlie Chaplin)
In which I discuss my grandmother ‘s experience growing up in Hollywood at 1359 N. La Brea Avenue across from Charlie Chaplin’s Studio, her brother Frank’s experience working for Charlie Chaplin, and her family’s experience of having a “front row view” of the growth of the Hollywood movie industry. Oh, and I also talk a lot about Charlie Chaplin!
The Story of a House: 1359 N. La Brea Avenue in Hollywood
In which I discuss the history of a house - specifically, the house at 1359 N. La Brea Avenue in Hollywood, CA, that my great grandparents moved into in 1911, soon after it was completed; and in which they continued to live until the late 1940s, watching as the the city and the movie business grew around them and Charlie Chaplin built his studio right across the street.
Following in My Great-Grandparents’ Footsteps: An Afternoon at Strawberry Hill in Golden Gate Park
In which we “retrace” the 1905 honeymoon footsteps of my great-grandparents, Frank and Nora Traughber, and their visit to Strawberry Hill and Blue Heron (aka. Stow) Lake in Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, CA.
Exploring Mike's Family History in San Francisco
In which I describe Mike’s and my “family heritage trek” through San Francisco on Dec. 29, 2025, visiting three different houses where his grandparents and great grandparents lived, as well as the cemetery in which his great grandparents (and various other family members) are buried in Colma, CA.