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Visiting Historical Sites, Living History Museums, and Folk Parks

Kilaned Cottage at Glencomcille Folk Park represented how my ancestors might have lived in Ireland, circa 1850s. Have you ever visited a heritage park, living history museum, or folk park where your ancestors lived? If not, I recommend you add it to your next genealogy trip to gain some incredible insight into what their lives, homes, occupations, and traditions were like. In the past year, I've visited several of these sites and came away with a much better understanding of where my ancestors lived, what they saw or did in their everyday lives, even what kinds of tools they used or clothing they might have worn. I find it's one thing to read in books about life during the times they lived, but it's quite another to walk through a cottage, sidle up to a sheep, step on a ship, or peek into a hedge school replica to bring that book learning to life.   Western New York & Canada  On my visit last year to Western New York and St. Catharines, Ontario, to research my Schiltz, ...
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Thanksiving, Kid Style


Our Thanksgivings have been a bit different the past few years. Our kids have gotten older and live out of state. This year, like last, we will be apart, and our celebration will be small and intimate...just me, the Hubs, his dad, and a friend.

But I do have several tangible reminders of the kids. Each year, these creations come out with our small set of Thanksgiving decorations. They still bring a smile and memories of when our now-adult children were wide-eyed kids sitting around the dinner table, sharing their own unique perspective on the holiday.

Two items that show this kids-eye view of Thanksgiving are a poem and a menu, created by our daughter Anne and son James, respectively.

Anne wrote this poem about Thanksgiving when she was probably about 8-9 years old. It still cracks me up!

 

James, not to be outdone, decided to create menus for our Thanksgiving dinner one year. He must have been in about 2nd or 3rd grade, learning to spell big words! I always give kids a lot of credit for attempting to spell phonetically, which just makes total sense if you think about it. 


James' menu cover.

My personal favorite is "krann bery soss."

One more throwback to the kids' childhood Thanksgivings is this little set we call "The Pilgrim People." My mom (Memaw to them) sent the set to the kids one year. I particularly love their bowling-pin-like shapes and especially the turkey's expression. It's just a sweet, little set that makes me smile.
 
 
Though we'll miss the kids this Thanksgiving, we are looking forward to seeing them at Christmas next month, hopefully making new memories while also remembering those childhood holidays past.
 
Happy Thanksgiving!
 
Until next time...

© Nancy Gilbride Casey, 2025. All rights reserved. 

 
BONUS!
 
Here are a couple other Thanksgiving-themed posts I've written in the past few years.
  
 
 
 
 


 

 

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  1. AmandaNovember 28, 2025 at 7:52 AM

    This is all so sweet! The Pilgrim People remind me of Matryoshka nesting dolls. Happy Thanksgiving (a day late!)

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    1. AnonymousNovember 28, 2025 at 4:19 PM

      Thanks, Amanda! I think so too. You're right, they do look like Matryoshka dolls! Happy Thanksgiving to you as well, (a day late)!

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  2. Diane HenriksNovember 28, 2025 at 2:45 PM

    Love this; so cute! :) I love the little Pilgrim set your mom got for the kids. It is so unique. Yes, Thanksgiving (and most holidays) can look quite different when the kids grow up; ours do not look the same either. Happy Thansgiving and thanks for sharing. :)

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    1. Nancy Gilbride CaseyNovember 28, 2025 at 4:21 PM

      I hope that your Thanksgiving was wonderful, Diane, even if it looked different. The Hubs and I ended up going camping for the weekend at a state park. We've done some hiking and relaxing. It was a busy few weeks for both of us, so nice to get away before the rest of the holiday prep begins! Thanks for reading!

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