by Rorey Cathcart | 9 Jan 2013 | Shivers, Wordless Wednesday
Featuring unidentified photos in our collections

Unknown Shivers Kin
Photograph of Unknown Shivers Kin, Shivers Family Photos; privately held R. A. Cathcart, Highland Mills, New York, 2011. This 3.5×5.5 photograph is printed on postcard ready paper. No writing on the reverse to identify the individuals or timeframe. This collection of photographs from the estate of Ella May (Shivers) Williams (1903-1999) was passed from B. J. (Williams) Crowley (1931- ) to B. A. (Jeager) Norleen (1954- ) from whom the current owner received them.
by Rorey Cathcart | 17 Dec 2012 | Cassity
Over the last many years I have become increasingly scroogie this time of year. It has all become so commercial. People buy gifts off a check list rather than be thoughtful or insightful. It’s a chore to decorate, a duty to shop, a pain to wrap. It’s expensive. You end up with a bunch of stuff you could mostly live without. It got so bad a couple of years ago that I virtually boycotted the whole thing. I even refused to buy a tree. Grump, grouse, grumble.
But somehow, this year has been different. Hubby took care of most our Christmas cards which we got out on time this year. The shopping is virtually done. It’s our grandbaby’s first Christmas. On Saturday we had a lovely get together with close friends. Yesterday, we decorated our tree.
Which brings me to the purpose of this post. While most of my Genea-Friends are blog caroling, Christmas music is where I stand firm in my scrooginess. So instead, I thought I’d share with you my favorite ornament. My son made it. I don’t remember when exactly. We call it Frankenstein. Our tree will never be complete without it.

Merry Christmas
Rorey Cathcart
Copyright (c) 17 December 2012
by Rorey Cathcart | 12 Dec 2012 | Shivers, Wordless Wednesday
Featuring unidentified photos in our collections.

Unknown Shivers Kin
Photograph of Unknown Shivers Kin, Shivers Family Photos; privately held R. A. Cathcart, Highland Mills, New York, 2011. This 3.125×4.625 photograph has no writing on the reverse to identify the individuals or timeframe. This collection of photographs from the estate of Ella May (Shivers) Williams (1903-1999) was passed from B. J. (Williams) Crowley (1931- ) to B. A. (Jeager) Norleen (1954- ) from whom the current owner received them.
by Rorey Cathcart | 12 Dec 2012 | Cassity, Shivers

I’m struggling.
I have so many story ideas for this site yet I cannot get them to paper. As I work to bring the Cassity/Shivers database up to the Genealogical Proof Standard I continue to review the evidence. This always leads me to ask new questions. And I am emotionally stopped in my tracks. It usually starts with the little phrase “Did you know…”, because I should know – but I don’t. It breaks my heart and fills me with regret.
So I will continue working on the database, bringing our research lines up to standard. I will continue posting our unidentified photos on Wordless Wednesday in the hopes you may recognize them. And maybe, as my work moves beyond my father and grandparents I will find my voice again. These are our people. I want to tell their stories.
Until then, I’ve added a sticky post to the top of the blog page. Tell me your memories, skepticisms or curiosities. What is your favorite family lore, legend or lie? I hope you will please consider contributing to The Stories We Want Told
As always, I appreciate your support.
Rorey
by Rorey Cathcart | 11 Dec 2012 | Welcome
Genealogy is about pinpointing our ancestor’s lines of decent, their place and time. Family History is about telling those ancestor’s stories, and our own. While I realize many family members do not share my passion for Genealogy, I know you do have a passion for Family History. I hear it in your voice when you tell me our stories.
We deserve to understand our ancestor’s struggles, contributions and place in this country’s history. They were there, and part of it all: War, westward expansion, the depression, to name a few. We should know. But we also have some good, old-fashioned murder mysteries and Indian stories in our family.
Curious about a family legend? Want to share a particularly fond memory? Have I got my ‘facts’ wrong? I’d love for you to let me know.