Heidi Wessman Kneale, Author of For Richer, For Poorer - Her Book and Family History!

I am thrilled to have Heidi Wessman Kneale, author of For Richer, For Poorer and a sister author from The Wild Rose Press visiting with me today. She and I share a passion for family history and it's this subject she has chosen to share with us us today, along with a little bit about her wonderful book! So take it away Heidi!

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I love family history. It’s not so much the hatches, matches and dispatches, but the stories of my ancestors that intrigue me so.

 

Hugo Charlemont - Stillleben mit Folianten 1939

Clan Campbell and Their Ghostly Castles...

As I have already mentioned a time or two in my various blogs, there is plenty of Scottish blood, flowing through this author's veins. Blood that's traced through the Ferguson's, Forbes's, Campbell's, McCullough's, and Robison's, to name just a few. 


This, in all likelihood, is the reason my novel, "Spirit of the Knight," now in Audio (and you should hear Dawson McBride do his incredible Scottish Brogue) takes place in Scotland. Therefore, I find myself in a "ghostly castle" frame of mind once again. However, this time, I wanted to take a look at some castles that once belonged to my ancient Scottish ancestors. So, first up, the Campbell Clan.

Clan Campbell crest. With permission of Scotclans.com

I pick up the Campbell line through my great-great grandmother, MaryAnn Campbell, daughter of Joel S. Campbell and Rachel Fuller—and please note, my Campbell ancestors immigrated to America well before the massacre at Glencoe, in the year 1692 (ahem). My immigrating ancestor, Robert Campbell, imprisoned In Canongate Tolbooth, was first banished and then transported to the New World. He arrived on the ship "Henry and Francis," September 5, 1685, imported as an indentured servant by Lord Neill Campbell.

The history of this ancient clan traces back to the thirteenth century and over those centuries they grew in power and influence. As a result they occupied at least eighteen different castles. As you can probably imagine, some of them are reputed to house a few ghosts.

Dunstaffnage Otter

Having Fun With the Liebster Award!

I had the pleasure of being nominated for the Liebster Award by the wonderful Mae Clair. Mae’s book, WEATHERING ROCK is a fabulous read and one that I highly recommend!

So how does the Liebster Award work? Here are the rules:

Thank the person who nominated you (thank you, Mae!).
Post eleven random facts about yourself. Answer the eleven questions asked by the person who nominated you. Think of a new set of eleven questions and nominate eleven others to answer them.

Sounds like fun!

So, here we go:

Random Facts:

The Ghosts of Fort Mifflin

After the release of my third novel, “Spirit of the Revolution,” (A ghostly, paranormal romance, concerning the same) I decided I would share some of the fascinating stories of restless spirits from America’s fragile beginnings. So come back often and see what’s new!

First up: Fort Mifflin...

Fort Mifflin  by pwbaker

Fort Mifflin is located on the Delaware River and its garrison was charged with defending the river approaches, holding off the advance of British troops, and buying time for Washington’s Continental Army during their retreat to Valley Forge.  A duty they performed most admirably.

And the ghosts?

Well, in this fort, the nebulous form of a young defender, known today as “Amos,” is often seen in the shadows cleaning his gun.  (Why you ask? I don’t have a clue. But I surely hope he has a few other things to do to keep himself occupied in the hereafter...)

The Fork in the Road...

At the age of twenty-seven, George Bond, first-born son of Hugh and Elizabeth Linaker Bond, said goodbye to his home and family in North Meols, Lancashire, England. From this beautiful place, countless generations of Bonds had lived out their lives. They worked the sea as well as the farms...and had been content. But something different stirred in George. He saw a great big world out there and he wanted to explore it. And so one day he traveled to Liverpool. He booked passage on the SS Lucania and during the summer of 1898, arrived at Ellis Island in New York.

From there, he intended to work his way across the United States, save up some money, and then by way of San Francisco, book passage on a ship sailing to Australia. 

Frisco Utah, Ghost Town

All the Pretty Horses

The love of horses is a family tradition--that through documentation-- we can at least trace back to my great-great-great grandfather, Charles Earl. Grandpa Charles was born July 4, 1819, in Howland Township, Trumbull County, Ohio, the son of John and Mary Earl. The "Biographical Memoirs of Wells County Indiana” states “Charles Earl was the fourteenth child of the family and was reared on his father's farm in Ohio. As a boy he showed a fondness for horses and has owned some fine animals in his day...” We can deduce from this statement that his father also had a love of horses. As did all those who followed down through the generations. Of this I know, first hand.

Edward H Buskirk,  Pleasant Township, Allen,Indiana

Real life "Story Book Love"

...Or The Picnic Box Lunch...

A writer of romance imagines countless scenarios for their hero and heroine to meet and fall madly in love with each other, because despite all else, the relationship is central to the story and it has to be perfect.

I remember as a young child reading the romantic fairytales over and over again and they thrilled me all the way down to my little bare toes. My favorite? Beauty and the Beast and it remains my favorite to this day. I loved the way this unlikely couple worked through a very rough beginning and in spite of all the obstacles placed in their path, they found their happily-ever-after. Snow White, Cinderella, Rapunzel, and the Swan Princess, (to name a few) all managed to find their own happily-ever-after as well and I was content when I reached "the end."

So, I’m sure, you can imagine my delight when I find a few such stories when I’m digging around in my own family history...  

I thought it might be fun to share some of them with you from time to time. So... I'll start with this one today..

“Spirit of the Rebellion” takes a page from my personal family history...

          As many of you know, I am a family history buff and genealogy enthusiast. Digging into my family roots borders on obsession. I love it when I find bits and pieces about my ancestors that bring them to life—a notation, here or a story there, that make them more than a name with just places, and dates attached. And so it was with William Confer, my great, great, granduncle. The man first piqued my interest, then tugged at my heart, and, after a fashion, finally found his way into to my novel, “Spirit of the Rebellion.”