Am I the only one who feels a connection with their ancestors as they homestead?
I feel their connection as a plant, watch my garden grow, harvest, dye my yarn, learn about herbs and medicinal remedies, create artisan crafts, and so much more. I feel them close by as I endeavor on this lifestyle. I can almost hear them cheering me on!
I'm a family historian. I have over 2500 family members researched and added to my family tree. I have deep roots in Appalachia. I have many ancestors who lived off the land and I would like to introduce you to a few of them.
First of all, my great great grandmother who cured family and friends from her garden. She made tinctures and teas to cure her family.
My great great great uncle who, according to family stories, was an herbal healer.
My great grandparents who grew gardens, raised livestock, and bartered with others to feed their families.
My great grandmother who churned her own butter.
My mother in law and father in law who knew how to live off the land.
My great great grandfather who purchased 180 acres in a hollow deep in WV to raise his family, garden, live off the land, and even make some moonshine to support his family.
My great grandmother who spun wool on a spinning wheel and used the fiber to weave.
My great great grandmother who was a midlife and delivered babies.
My Native American ancestors who we've (so far) have not been able to confirm, but they showed up in our DNA results.
My great grandmother's sisters who helped support their families by crocheting, sewing, and selling their handmade creations.
I feel a connection to ALL these ancestors (and more) as my hands are in the dirt planting and weeding, as I watch in amazement as my flowers grow, as my hands are harvesting, as I preserve food, and as I create with my hands. I know I'm not the only one who feels this connection, right?
