Epidemics and my family

Epidemics and my family

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As I write this, our world is in the middle of a global pandemic caused by the COVID-19 Coronavirus. It is a scary time. And weird. New phrases like “self-isolating” and “social distancing” and “flattening the curve” are common in our vocabulary from now until who knows when. My work building is closed for 2…

Yellow Fever in Virginia – Family Legend or Truth?

Yellow Fever in Virginia – Family Legend or Truth?

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To anyone other than a genealogist, getting excited when you learn about a tragedy in your family history is kind of morbid. But I wouldn’t say the word “excited” is exactly the right term. Interested. Fascinated. Connected. In July of 1870,  my third great grandfather, Orlando Shrum,  was a successful young brickmason in Halbert Township…