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Category Archives: McNair Family
Rev. John McNair’s Poetry
Besides being a minister, an evangelist, a Chaplain in the Army and public speaker, John McNair was a poet. He published his book of poetry Eighty Original Poems Secular and Sacred Chiefly Adapted to the Times in 1865, after the … Continue reading
Alfred Willis McNair: The Son We Hardly Know
Sometimes you just don’t have many documents about a person to form much of opinion about them. They don’t take shape in your mind’s eye. There are no descriptions about their physical appearance or their personality and all you have … Continue reading
Posted in McNair Family, Writing Family History
Tagged Alfred Willis McNair, Rev. John McNair
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Deconstructing a Civil War Regiment Part II: Photos from the Library of Congress
You have probably noticed that I often use photos from the Library of Congress to illustrate some aspect of my blog post. Their digital archives are vast and are usually available without copyright infringement problems. (Always check to see what … Continue reading
An Undistinguished Civil War Regiment Deconstructed
When first looking at the history of Rev. McNair’s 31st New Jersey Regiment, one notices that they are only remarkable in that their nine months of military life passed without a major battle or an interesting story to tell. Even … Continue reading
Posted in Civil War, Civil War Pensions, McNair Family
Tagged New Jersey 31st Regiment, Rev. John McNair
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When Someone Doesn’t Like Your Ancestor
It shouldn’t be surprising that our ancestors were not universally loved, even the most virtuous of them. Therefore, when we are writing a biography of an ancestor, how do we include their bad press? Watching the political race this season … Continue reading
The Temperance Movement and Rev. John McNair
Sort of the opposite of “got me at hello” huh? Napping yet? No guilt, that was how I felt when I got to the temperance section of the book I am writing about Rev. John McNair. But without a doubt, … Continue reading
Conflicting Evidence: When Did Rev. John McNair Get Married?
A woman ought to know her own wedding anniversary right? But what if the minister’s records and a letter from the bride conflict? That is what happens for Susan Adeline Hunt McNair. When asked for her marriage date to Reverend … Continue reading
Rev. John McNair’s Famous Brother-In-Law, Dr. Daniel Kirkwood
Okay, maybe not famous to you and me, but I think if you are an astronomer, you might know who he is. I first saw mention of Dr. Kirkwood in John McNair’s Princeton Theological Seminary alumni file. He was responding … Continue reading
Rev. John McNair, His Inheritance and One of My Favorite Documents
Do you have a favorite document for one of your ancestors in your collection? I am betting you do…it is usually one that broke through a “brick wall” or perhaps it has some sentimental attachment, such as a letter from … Continue reading
William McNair (1798-1776) and the Road Less Traveled
We are taught not to have too many assumptions in genealogy, but one custom that is generally true, is that the oldest son inherits the family farm from his father. When he does not inherit and follow the pattern, there … Continue reading
Ascending the Stairs 