Family history sometimes offers a glimpse of the world stage. Through the collective memories of family members a window to the past is opened and we come to know what it was like to be swept up by major events affecting whole societies. This is both the story of Li's family and a story of modern China. Virginia Li's story offers hope for the future of U.S-Chinese relations and much insight for all Americans into an ancient land, which in the 21st century is playing an increasingly important role.

The Genealogy and Family History Collection is a unique set of materials that describes the histories and narratives of particular American families. The Collection brings to life pre-1923 books that contain information such as birth, death, marriage, property and migration records of specific families. Many of these families followed interesting migration and movement patterns from Western Europe and beyond to the United States well over 200 years ago. Included in these volumes is information such as last wills and testaments, period photographs of towns, buildings and landscapes, portraits of family members, and descriptions of business interactions. Encompassing such comprehensive and personal information, this collection will appeal to genealogists, family history researchers, as well as descendants and casual historians.

With his newest book Justin Taft, Jr. continues to build on his previous success. As I Saw It was well received by the Rochester community as a colorful and engaging look at Rochester during the 1930s Depression. Whereas his first book included humorous recollections of town characters, community leaders, escaped convicts, gypsies and chicken thieves The Tafts of Rochester, Illinois focuses on the Taft family itself. Through this book Justin Taft continues to share his insight on life in the early days of Rochester. Unlike his previous work, this newest effort is professionally researched within its historical context. The westward migration and acquisition of land by Vermont to Rochester families is explored. Previously unidentified relationships between migrating Vermont families are documented. Each of the Rochester Tafts is traced through vital records, census listings, land transactions, family letters and bibles. The author annotates the book with early Rochester photographs and Taft family heirlooms, never forgetting to spin his signature folktales, adding depth to our understanding of the lives of his ancestors and many other early pioneers of Rochester. The Tafts, and their associated families, were some of the earliest settlers in Rochester. They were active in the political and social structure of the fledgling community. Their impact on Rochester's development is a must read for anyone interested in the history of Sangamon County.

Since its first publication, twenty years ago, Track Down Your Ancestors has helped thousands of readers to take the first steps on their journey into their family's past. Now totally revised and updated in 2010, to include the latest on-line resources on the Internet, the 1911 Census and changes at the National Archives. Delving into the past and discovering who your ancestors were, where they lived and what their occupations were is a fascinating hobby that more and more people are choosing to take up. Over the years Track Down Your Ancestors has built up a fine reputation as the perfect place to get started - now this new, fully rewritten edition includes updated advice on using birth, death and marriage certificates, probate records, census returns, parish registers, old newspapers, The National Archives and many other sources to build up a picture of your family's past. The Internet has revolutionised family history research. Estelle now also includes comprehensive new advice on getting the most from online resources and the best way to keep all your information organised. Praise for the previous edition: 'A handy book at a very friendly price that will start new family historians off on the right track.' Practical Family History 'A comprehensive beginner's guide to family history research - cheap too!' Your Family Tree magazine

Assistant Surgeon James A. Black takes the reader on a seldom traveled journey--a fourteen hundred sixty-one day excursion--as he participates in the American Civil War. During his sojourn the Union soldier openly shares his observations, his joys, his concerns, and his frustrations, as he provides the reader with tremendous insight into the daily lives of soldiers in their camps and on their campaigns some one hundred fifty years ago. Black and a contingency of Southern Illinois men enlisted in the Union Army October 6, 1861. The 49th Illinois Infantry Regiment was mustered into service December 31, 1861, briefly trained at Camp Butler, near Springfield, Illinois, and was engaged in combat by February, 1862. The regiment remained active in the Western Theatre of action for the duration of the war. Although the diary does not offer revolutionary revelations about the war or its generals, it does present interesting and revealing perceptions about the conflict, especially concerning the impact on soldiers involved in prolonged military engagement. Black s perspective as a Civil War soldier is unique in many ways. For the first year he wrote with the view of an enlisted infantryman, while the last three years he viewed events from the eyes of a commissioned medical officer. In addition, James Black, a good soldier, was a strong believer in the Union cause, a religious man, and a moralist. In many ways his thoughts reflect the times and yet many thoughts do not necessarily follow conventional Civil War wisdom. The diary is completely unabridged and void of interpretation or comment by scholars. Simply, the diary is James personal story as he lived it.

This comprehensive guide to the flags of the world, now available in a completely updated edition, provides concise, accurate coverage of every country in the world, giving the history, meaning, and symbolism of national flags, together with large-scale and smaller locator maps. It includes the history of flags; color flags of over 220 countries and territories; flags of international organizations; large-scale and detailed locator maps for easy reference; up-to-date data and statistics for all countries; information about the history and symbolism of each flag; a section on de facto and emerging states; and a full index.

This Encyclopedia is the first to compile some 500,000 pseudonyms of roughly 270,000 people from all over the world, from all ages and occupations. Besides pseudonyms in the narrower sense, initials, nick names, order names, birth and married names etc. are included. The volumes 1 to 9 list persons by their real names in alphabetical order, in volumes 10 to 16, the pseudonyms are listed alphabetically and the real names provided. To make identification of a person easier, year and place of birth and death are provided where available, as are profession, nationality and more personal data.

DELAWARE FAMILIES 1787-1800 By The Delaware Genealogical Society Delaware Families 1787-1800 is a commemoration of families who lived in Delaware during its earliest statehood, from the date it became the first state to ratify the new United States constitution until a new century began in 1800. These are some of the first families of the first state in the United States. This work evolved from submissions made over a period of years, principally from Delaware Genealogical Society members to whom the individual sketches are attributed. Its basic element is a three-generation family group, who lived in Delaware during the focus period "1787-1800," with vital data for each-dates and locations of births, marriages and deaths, and the sources documenting them. Delaware was a center from which many of these families followed migration routes in all directions, not only westward beyond the Mississippi, but also north and south along the Atlantic coast. Over 5,800 citations and the extensive bibliography will provide a valuable resource for this time period since the Delaware census has been lost. Also included is an index of 1,900 surnames, more than 8,000 names and over 100 enslaved or manumitted persons listed in association with these families.