Tag: Gleason

Irish Cred

Some of you know that both our daughters wed this year. (1) Both grooms have notable Irish heritage, each with a first-generation grandfather, born here to Irish immigrants. One couple has visited Ireland; the other one is already talking about it…

Some of you know that both our daughters wed this year. (1)  Both grooms have notable Irish heritage, each with a first-generation grandfather, born here to Irish immigrants.  One couple has visited Ireland; the other one is already talking about it.  I can’t offer any Irish roots but the Father of the Brides can. Continue reading “Irish Cred”

Forging new connections

So far, Family Epic has mostly been about my family — writer’s prerogative — and function of the old adage “write what you know.” Our Ruffner-Offutt side has been centered in Pennsylvania and in Maryland, and has barely budged. Then there’s the …

So far, Family Epic has mostly been about my family — writer’s prerogative — and function of the old adage “write what you know.” Our Ruffner-Offutt side has been centered in Pennsylvania and in Maryland, and has barely budged.  Then there’s the more mobile Williams-Walling southern contingent – New Jersey-South Carolina-Alabama-Georgia-Arkansas-Texas. Nice geographical contrast between the two sides — not a single overlapping state.

The other half of my children’s heritage presents different challenges and different locales. Continue reading “Forging new connections”