Telling My Story to Los Gatos Rotary
In which I describe the presentation I gave to Los Gatos Rotary in November 2022 about my book projects and share photos as well.
Exploring the Pony Express - and Creating a Family Connection
In which I explain some of the history of the Pony Express; describe its first rider, Johnny Frye; share photos from our visit to the Pony Express Museum in St. Joseph, Missouri; and share an excerpt from Missouri Daughter in which Bailis recalls watching that momentous first day of the Pony Express with his brother Benjamin.
A Letter from Rebel Cousin Rachel
In which I share another excerpt from Missouri Daughter that includes a letter to Bailis from his cousin, “Rachel at Rebel Rendezvous,” reflect a bit on how the war tore families apart, and discuss the importance of the novel Uncle Tom’s Cabin, and explain the Platte River Bridge disaster, when Confederate guerrillas burned part of the track and caused a train to derail outside of St. Joseph, killing approximately 20 people and injuring 100.
Researching the Oregon-California Trail: The California Gold Rush and my GGG-GF Henry Petree
In which I discuss some California Gold Rush history, including how my GGG Grandfather Henry Petree took two of his sons, John and Benjamin, with him to California in 1849 to search for gold, leaving behind son Bailis (my GG GF) and his two sisters to live with a nearby family; I also include an excerpt from Missouri Daughter in which I imagine how Bailis might have felt about this, having already lost his mother five years earlier
Some Family Members Move West - A Letter from the Oregon Trail in 1862
In which I share more letters from the Oregon Trail, this time from Jane Kennedy Hale, the widowed wife of James’s brother Meshack, who was killed by Confederate sympathizers; Jane, who traveled with the “Kennedy Train” led by her brother, eventually settled with her son William in Walla Walla, Washington.
How This Journey Began - The Hales & Petrees of Andrew County, Missouri
In which I discuss how I acquired 50 Civil War letters written by my 3rd Great Grandfather, James Calaway Hale, and 2nd Grand Uncle, Benjamin Petree, as well as other family letters and heirlooms, and started writing a historical fiction novel titled Missouri Daughter