American History in Real Life
Movies in the past have often shown characters that were touched by historical events. Yet sometimes, the truth is often more fantastic than anything Hollywood can devise. These stories of real people show how the events of the past touched their lives. Some times the stories are dramatic, sometimes simple, but all in all they weave a tapesty of the richness of the American experience.-
Recent Posts
- The Norvell Boys Write to the President June 16, 2017
- A Letter Home May 30, 2017
- Faded and cracked May 8, 2017
- When Ohio and Michigan Went to war April 29, 2017
- Grandpa’s Home Repairs April 18, 2017
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Copyright notice- An American Family, 2013- 2017
© John Norvell
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Author Archives: jenorv
The Norvell Boys Write to the President
In the 19th century, Americans often wrote to the chief executive asking for jobs or advice on how to conduct their lives. Two such letters were sent to Thomas Jefferson by members of the same family. The first one was … Continue reading
A Letter Home
Stevens Thompson Norvell (1835 -1911) enlisted in the army on January 23, 1858 as a private in Company A 5th U.S. Infantry. One of his first assignments was as an infantryman in the West; later he would fight with Teddy … Continue reading
Faded and cracked
They are all similar – old, cracked and sometimes faded; the newer ones in washed out color. There is a commonality to them that may not be readily apparent. They are photos of young American men and women in uniform. … Continue reading
When Ohio and Michigan Went to war
In 1834, my great-great grandfather John Norvell found himself embroiled in a controversy that involved Michigan with her neighbors. Ohio and Michigan had long claimed a disputed section of land which included the Toledo area. The dispute over this area … Continue reading
Posted in American History, Michigan History, Military history, Norvell Family History
Tagged Toledo War
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Grandpa’s Home Repairs
My grandfather was a remarkable man. But he almost met his match and burned down the house when he decided to wire it himself in the 1930s. I defer to his own words on this: “When I bought the … Continue reading
Posted in Family History
Tagged Electrification in the 1930s, Home rep, Home repairs, Rural life
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A Day in the Life….
Today is Vietnam Veterans Day — March 29, as such I thought about how I would have spent this day during the war. Most days in combat began early. There was what we called an “0 Dark Thirty” wake up. … Continue reading
Posted in 13 TFS, American History, Combat, F-4 Phantom II, F4 Phantom II, Fighter Aircraft, SEA, Udorn RTAFB, Vietnam War
Tagged Combat, Vietnam Veterans Day
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