Book Launch Day — and Why I’m Still Proud

Today is the official launch day for my book, Fort Custer in the World Wars. It’s hard to put into words what this moment means. After years of research, writing, editing, and reviewing hundreds of photographs, the book is finally out in the world. It’s real. It’s here.

This isn’t just a collection of images and facts, it’s a tribute. To the soldiers who trained at Fort Custer. To the medical staff who cared for the wounded. To the prisoners of war who lived and worked on the grounds. And to the community that grew around it. Preserving this history matters, and I’m honored to be a small part of it.

While the day didn’t unfold quite the way I imagined, I’m still celebrating because I believe in the power of telling these stories. I’m grateful to my husband Kirk for standing beside me through every page, to the Fort Custer Historical Society for their support, and to the many people who’ve already purchased the book, shared kind words, or reached out.

There are appearances, presentations, and book talks to come, but today, I’m pausing to appreciate what’s been accomplished.

If you’d like to learn more about the book, you can find it through local bookstores, or by contacting me directly.

Thank you for walking this journey with me.

Reverse Genealogy Made Clear: A Look at Cheri Hudson Passey's Insightful Guide

When Joe, the marketing director, at Genealogical.com reached out to ask if I would review Cheri Hudson Passey's new book, "Genealogy in Reverse: Finding the Living A Practical Guild for All Genealogists" I was happy to do it, but I was even happier that he had found my blog and noticed that I was a purchaser of many Genealogical.com publications. The book's focus on tracing forward to find living relatives intrigued me, and I was eager to see how the modern research practice could support traditional genealogical research. I received a complimentary review copy, but as always, the thoughts shared here are entirely my own.

Cheri Hudson Passey combines her writing and genealogical research skill with deep professional experience related to the book's topic. She has worked as a subcontracted researcher for the U.S. Army Past Conflict Repatriations Branch, helping to locate next of kin for families of World War II soldiers who are still listed as Missing in Action. As my regular readers know, I have a strong interest in the stories of WWII soldiers and I found her background adds a layer of real-world credibility to her work on reverse genealogy.

One of the most rewarding reasons to pursue genealogy in reverse is the potential to uncover what traditional research often misses. The stories, photographs, family Bibles, and cherished memorabilia passed down through different branches of a family may hold that one piece of information that has alluded us in our traditional research. 

Book Review

Reverse Genealogy is the process of researching forward to find living relatives, and Passey's book is an excellent guide on how to do that. Step-by-step instructions with real-world examples are central to the book's structure. Sources and resources are clearly outlined and well documented.

A major strength of this book is its emphasis on research ethics. Passey encourages readers to follow sound research practices, including adhering to the Genealogical Proof Standard. She also highlights the importance of privacy, obtaining consent, and being respectful when contacting living individuals.

Genealogy in Reverse is useful for all levels of genealogists. Whether you are a beginning genealogist or an experienced one you will find Passey's book informative and helpful. It is a fresh take on genealogy research and is one I am happy to add to my own toolkit.

Passey explores an area that is rarely discussed in genealogical circles and does so with clarity. She breaks down the research steps into manageable ones. She illustrates the challenges and rewards in doing this type of genealogy using real-world examples.

Passey includes a short section on DNA, emphasizing the need for sensitivity and clear communication about the potential risks involved in testing. She encourages readers to consider whether a DNA test is truly necessary when trying to find living relatives.

One of the things I appreciated the most was her strong emphasis on ethics. It is the central theme throughout the book. She concludes the book with a repatriation case study with names kept private. 

Conclusion

If you are looking for a fresh perspective to your genealogy research look no further than, "Genealogy in Reverse: Finding the Living."  This book is more than a how-to manual, it is a way to expand your research and make new connections. If you are looking for a way to explore modern-day family ties than this is the resource for you. It offers practical insight and ethical guidance in an easy to read way.

You can purchase "Genealogy in Reverse: Finding the Living." from Genealogical Publishing Company at genealogical.com.  It is a worthy addition to any genealogical library. 

Disclaimers

A complimentary copy of this book was provided to me for the purpose of review. I have received no compensation for this review, and the opinions expressed herein are solely my own.

Disclosures
This blog post used the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) tools at Chat GPT4o.

While the content reflects my ideas, writing, and research. AI was used for grammar and spelling editing.

Chat GPT4o suggested blog post titles based upon my writing and ideas and I selected the one, with edits, to enhance the blog experience.

A Letter from Camp Hood: Discovering My Dad’s Words from Basic Training

Source: Glover, Bruce. “Pvt. Bruce (Tex) Glover, Former Sports Editor Writes from Camp Hood, Texas.” The Palladium (Hazel Park, MI), August 1943.Accessed April 15, 2025. MyHeritage Historical Newspaper Collection.

One of the joys of being a genealogist and historian is discovering unexpected treasures in the archives. While browsing old newspaper clippings at MyHeritage, I recently came across a letter to the editor written by my father, Pvt. Bruce “Tex” Glover, during World War II. The letter, published in the Hazel Park (MI) Palladium in August 1943, was sent from Camp Hood, Texas, where he had just arrived for basic training.

Reading his words transported me back to the early days of his military service. I could hear his voice in the humor and sincerity of the letter. He wrote to Mr. Kelster, the editor, whom he had worked for in high school, describing the intense Texas heat and his first impressions of Camp Hood. It’s a snapshot of a young man adjusting to military life far from home and wanting to stay connected.

Here’s the full transcription of the letter:

Pvt. Bruce (Tex) Glover, former sports editor writes from Camp Hood, Texas:

Dear Mr. Kelster:

Well I’m finally located here in Camp Hood, Texas, “Deep In The Heart Of.” Do you remember on certain days before I left how we were complaining of the heat. Well brother, don’t complain any more. It’s 105 - 110 in the shade here all of the time and I’m not kidding. I always wanted to go to Texas but one day here is enough.

The water we are allowed to drink is heavily diluted with sodium-hydro chloride and is warm. It’s hard to get used to in this hot weather but it’s best for you. Bill Fisher is here with me and we would appreciate it if you would send the paper to both of us. Our addresses are at the end of this letter.

We have both passed our tests so far and are in the A.S.T.P. (Army Specialized Training Program). We are beginning a 13-week basic Infantry Training program during which time more tests will be given. If we pass these we will be sent to college.

We had quite a train ride here from Custer. It took us 57 hours in all. We left Custer at 1:15 p.m. Wednesday and arrived here 5:15 p.m. Friday. The train stopped for four hours in Fort Worth, Texas, and the Lt. in charge let us look over the city for two hours. It is quite a nice city. We also passed through Chicago, Kansas City, Wichita, Oklahoma City, and Waco, enroute.

I would appreciate it if you would have Mr. Watson look in the files and see if there are any fellows from Hazel Park here at Camp Hood. If so, would you please send me their address.

Sincerely,
Pvt. Bruce “Tex” Glover
Your former Sports Ed.

Bruce received 4 names of H. P. boys from H. P. stationed at Camp Hood.

To see his personality come through in this letter is a gift. It’s more than just an eighteen-year-old soldier reporting his new surroundings. It’s a glimpse into his character, his experience, and his desire to remain tied to home. Letters like this one help bring the past to life, and I’m grateful to have found it, especially since I never knew my dad had a nickname, Tex and this was before he was sent to Texas!

Have you ever uncovered a letter from a relative in the service? These personal messages offer more than facts, they offer heart. 

Notes: 

H.P. stands for Hazel Park which is in Michigan.

Bill Fisher was a good friend of my dad's. They graduated from Hazel Park High School together. They were together in the Battle of the Bulge until Bill was taken prisoner by the Germans. Bill was on one side of the line the Germans came through and my dad was on the other. They were in the 99th Division.

A Special Delivery: Fort Custer Books Have Arrived!

There is nothing quite like the feeling of holding your book in your hands for the first time. Now imagine that times 200. That was my experience when my shipment of Fort Custer in the World Wars arrived ahead of schedule.

I expected the books to arrive in mid-July, but instead, I was greeted with boxes stacked high, filled with copies of a project I have poured my heart into. It felt a little like Christmas morning. Seeing the final printed version was both exciting and humbling.

This book represents more than just words and photographs. It is a tribute to the people who served, trained, worked, and lived at Fort Custer during both World War I and World War II. The process of researching and writing it has deepened my respect for the men and women whose stories fill its pages.

As soon as the books arrived, I began packing up copies for the friends and family members who ordered or supported me from the beginning. Some were mailed to those with a personal connection to Fort Custer. Others went to fellow history lovers. Each envelope felt like a small gift of remembrance, and I was honored to share it.

I am thrilled to share that several library presentations have already been scheduled. These events give me a chance to speak with readers, answer questions, and share even more stories that did not make it into the book. In addition, a local TV interview(July 14th) is in the works, offering a wonderful opportunity to highlight Fort Custer’s rich history to a broader audience. I will be sharing dates and times soon, so stay tuned.

A book launch is in the works and I will annouce that when I have confirmation of all the details. The Fort Custer Historical Society board is planning it.

I am so proud of how the book turned out and deeply thankful to everyone who encouraged me along the way. Whether you supported the Fort Custer Historical Society, followed the blog, shared a story, or simply cheered me on, I appreciate you.

Books are available for purchase at the Fort Custer Museum (by appointment), Custer's Last Stand at the fort, or by contacting me. If you are interested in a signed copy, feel free to reach out. The book cost is $25, plus shipping which is running between $6-$10. All proceeds go to the Fort Custer Historical Society.

This has been an unforgettable moment in my journey as a writer and historian. I cannot wait to see where the stories of Fort Custer travel next.

Note: I tried contacting my publisher to find out when it will be shipped to vendors, but have not been given a date.

From Sunrise to Sunset: A Day in the Life of a Female Ancestor

The image above was created by AI software, DALL-E. The visual was designed to complement the content and enhance the reader's experience.

A Day in the Life: Homemaking Then and Now

Growing up, I never thought I’d be grateful for ironing practice, budget sheets, or learning the proper way to plan a week's worth of meals. But studying Home Economics, Family Living, and Health at Western Michigan University opened my eyes to the science behind the home and gave me a new perspective on my ancestor's lives.

Recently, I started thinking about what a day in the life might have looked like for my great-grandmother. A woman who likely rose before the sun, tended the fire, prepared breakfast from scratch, and managed a household with efficiency born of necessity.

Morning: The Start of the Day

My ancestor's morning may have begun with stoking the stove and boiling water, often before anyone else was awake. Breakfast wasn’t poured from a cereal box. It involved mixing, kneading, or frying. She likely prepared lunches for the children, sometimes wrapping leftovers in cloth or paper.

When I was studying nutrition, we broke down all the elements of a balanced breakfast. But long before that, my great-grandmother understood it in her own way. She learned from her mother and through experience. She didn’t need food groups or calorie charts to know that a hearty meal gave you the strength to face a long day of work, especially during the busy seasons of farm life.

She also didn’t need written recipes. Her cooking came from memory and instinct passed down through the generations. She knew how much flour to use by feel, how long to simmer soup by scent, and how to season a dish by taste. Her kitchen knowledge was inherited and intuitive, not measured and written down.

Midday: Managing the Home

While the children were at school and her husband worked in the fields, homemaking carried on. Washing laundry, baking bread, scrubbing floors, sewing or mending clothes, and doing farm chores filled her day. Her work was physical, repetitive, and often unrecognized. 

Her kitchen likely held the essential tools of her era: a cast iron stove, butter churn, hand-cranked food grinders, and tinware utensils. Her laundry routine involved hauling water, scrubbing with lye soap, and using a washboard. Weekly baking required sifting flour by hand, fermenting yeast, and using heavy iron bakeware.

Cleaning practices emphasized sanitation through boiling water and vinegar. Rugs were beaten outside, and linens were aired on clotheslines. It was the kind of knowledge you didn’t learn from books but from watching, doing, and repeating over time.

Afternoon: Family and Function

By mid-afternoon, she might have visited neighbors, preserved food, or tended the garden. She kept a mental calendar of seasonal chores: spring cleaning, canning in late summer, holiday preparations in the fall. Her work was as cyclical as the seasons, grounded in a deep understanding of her environment and her family’s needs.

In my studies, we called this "household management" It sounds sterile in a textbook, but lived out in history, it was an art form. It included juggling needs, emotions, and limited resources with patience and foresight.

Evening: Winding Down

Dinner was another full meal, with leftovers reused creatively. After dishes were done, she may have sat down to knit, read the Bible, or simply rest. Or maybe she continued working, preparing dough for the next day or ironing the children’s school clothes.

In today’s world, we often think of “productivity” as something that happens at a desk or in offices. But my great-grandmother’s day was filled with labor, love, and life lessons that were handed down to the women in my family. They show up in the way that I do things now and I’m grateful my education helped me appreciate that.

Bridging Generations

Studying Home Economics didn’t just prepare me for a career, it deepened my appreciation for the people who came before me. Their knowledge wasn’t always found in books, but in doing. As a teacher and genealogist, I try to honor their legacy by sharing their stories and daily lives with others. I’ve come to enjoy learning about the social history of my ancestors.

So the next time I sew on a button or make soup from scratch, I will think of all the women in my family who had it so much harder than I do.

Honoring Paul Pixley’s Service This Independence Day

Once I discovered the maiden name of my fourth great-grandmother, Lucy Hyde, I knew I had to explore her family history further. Her maiden name, Pixley, led me to her parents, Paul Pixley and Sylvia Philips. I found their marriage record dated May 31, 1781, and from there, my research took off.

Today, as the United States celebrates Independence Day, I want to share the story of Paul Pixley (also spelled Pigsley) and his patriotic service during the American Revolution.

Paul Pixley, a Revolutionary War veteran, applied for a pension under the Act of March 18, 1818. At the time of his application, he was living in Huron County, Ohio. Pixley had served as a private in the regiment commanded by Colonel Bradford of the Massachusetts line. He enlisted in September 1779 and served for approximately nine months, including time stationed at West Point, New York.

His pension was approved beginning June 13, 1818, at the rate of $8 per month. A certificate of pension was issued on September 6, 1819. When he applied, he was 58 years old and in poor health, unable to work due to age and rheumatism.

His household at the time included his wife, a 14-year-old daughter, a 6-year-old daughter, and a 3-year-old son. He listed minimal personal property in his pension declaration—just a heifer, a steer, a bed, a kettle, and some tools—valued at $32.50.

I find pension files fascinating for the rich genealogical information they can contain. This particular file, however, offered fewer personal details than others I've seen. It named only Paul and his military commanders, leaving out the names of his family members.

This blog post is just a brief summary of the information I extracted from Paul Pixley’s Revolutionary War pension file. The file contains more details that I plan to explore in future blog posts. I’ll be sharing what I discover about his military service, family life, and the broader historical context in which he lived.

Still, even sparse records like this one help illuminate the lives of those who came before us. On this Independence Day, I honor Paul Pixley, whose service reminds us of the sacrifices made by ordinary citizens in pursuit of American freedom.