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I can't believe it's been 12 days since I've posted. Things have been pretty busy here with work, school, and personal issues going on at home that I get too depressed even thinking about. Plus I've got a sinus infection - so not much fun to be had here.
To get back into the swing of things, I figured I would start with participating in "when I'm not reading", which is a new meme hosted by Missie @ The Unread Reader . It's nice to learn what fellow book bloggers are into besides books and blogging.
For me, when I'm not reading I am often working on my genealogy. I am fascinated by the stories of what life was like in the past, particularly in regards to my family. Unfortunately I do not have much beyond names and dates for a lot of my family but I have been truly fortunate to meet some great people that share my interest (and even some long lost cousins).
Right now, I'm on a hunt to unconver some old medical records for my Great Grandmother's cousins Christina and Charles Hodde. They were siblings and both hospitalized at the Massachusetts School for the Feeble Minded (later known as the Walter Fernald School). I'd like to know why they were institutionalized, because back then it could have been for anything. Also, they were institutionalized at a time when US mental institutions were truly horrible places (and MA institutions were among the worst). The Fernald School participated in some nasty experiments in the name of eugenics and I would like to know if my relatives were test subjects.
To get back into the swing of things, I figured I would start with participating in "when I'm not reading", which is a new meme hosted by Missie @ The Unread Reader . It's nice to learn what fellow book bloggers are into besides books and blogging.
For me, when I'm not reading I am often working on my genealogy. I am fascinated by the stories of what life was like in the past, particularly in regards to my family. Unfortunately I do not have much beyond names and dates for a lot of my family but I have been truly fortunate to meet some great people that share my interest (and even some long lost cousins).
Right now, I'm on a hunt to unconver some old medical records for my Great Grandmother's cousins Christina and Charles Hodde. They were siblings and both hospitalized at the Massachusetts School for the Feeble Minded (later known as the Walter Fernald School). I'd like to know why they were institutionalized, because back then it could have been for anything. Also, they were institutionalized at a time when US mental institutions were truly horrible places (and MA institutions were among the worst). The Fernald School participated in some nasty experiments in the name of eugenics and I would like to know if my relatives were test subjects.
1 comment:
Wow! What a strange coincidence. I am currently reading a book that involves genealogy, Shadow Hills. So far, it is a great mystery novel.
The study of genealogy is fascinating. I too wish I knew more about my ancestors than names.
If you unravel the mystery surrounding the institutionalized family members, you have to share! Or maybe write a book!
Thanks for participating this week. I hope you are feeling better soon!
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