My great grandfather, Charles was among the working class in the glory days of the mining boom in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. It was a mystery as to why he came to the place from Sheffield, England. Neither do I know anything about my great grandmother, Maria Law, who was born in Sheffield. These are the bits of information written by my mother on a family tree in my baby book.
Charles’ son, Herbert, was born in 1891 in Calumet.
Charles’ son, Herbert, was born in 1891 in Calumet.
Aunt Mary Lee said that Charles lived in Lake Linden and that he left town aroudn the age of 16 – that’s it, that’s all. That’s not much to know about your roots.
So, here I am in Calumet, not even knowing what I’m looking for.
A happenstance walk into a wonderful gift store ,however, provided more than just a clue about my DNA. All it took was my answer to a simple question from this amateur historian-mayor of Calumet-shopkeeper wanting to know my reason for visiting the area, and my less-than-enthusiastic couriosity about my past turned into a full-fledged misson to learn more.
“I want to at least visit the town where my great grandparents lived,” I responded. “But I’m not really sure if it was here or in Lake Linden.”
“Well let me see if I can help,” he said as he pulled out a 1898 equivalent to today’s “white pages” listing the names of people living in each of the area towns, their work position with the mines and the location of their home.
A happenstance walk into a wonderful gift store ,however, provided more than just a clue about my DNA. All it took was my answer to a simple question from this amateur historian-mayor of Calumet-shopkeeper wanting to know my reason for visiting the area, and my less-than-enthusiastic couriosity about my past turned into a full-fledged misson to learn more.
“I want to at least visit the town where my great grandparents lived,” I responded. “But I’m not really sure if it was here or in Lake Linden.”
“Well let me see if I can help,” he said as he pulled out a 1898 equivalent to today’s “white pages” listing the names of people living in each of the area towns, their work position with the mines and the location of their home.
First he looked up Calumet … nothing. Then Lake Linden. There it was … my past … Derrick, Charles.
But the answers this shopkeeper-amateur historian-mayor of Calumet gave me, raised questions. Charles had two brothers …. Ernie and Benjamin.
So tomorrow, it’s off to Lake Linden to see if I can find the family home.
But the answers this shopkeeper-amateur historian-mayor of Calumet gave me, raised questions. Charles had two brothers …. Ernie and Benjamin.
So tomorrow, it’s off to Lake Linden to see if I can find the family home.
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