Week 34 - Timeline (52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks)

 I have to admit, I have not used timelines very often in my research.  At least not purposely.  When I think of timelines, I picture a chronological list of events.  But I have found that my timelines do not always show up in that form.  

One place that I have found them very useful though is in Civil War soldier research.  When I delve into one of these soldier ancestor's military history, I find timelines of their regiments already spelled out and from there I can research each battle in depth and very often place their exact locations.  Once, a NPS battlefield Ranger told me that I "would breathe his air".  I found that to be a very moving description.  

I like to then write as much of a biography of the soldier that I can using any record that I can find.  The first ancestor soldier that I did this for was my 3rd great grandfather, John Border Amos, back in 2005.   It has turned into a nice 30 some page document complete with photos and documents, plus added pages of other records and images that are not integrated into my text.  Over the years, I have added more information as I come across it.  I have been fortunate to have been in contact with other descendants of John who have shared photos of John  and a letter written by John the day after one of his battles.  I always send away to the National Archives for any military or pension records of the soldier as well.  All of this adds such dimension to my biographies.  The pension files often give details not found in other records and can often fill in gaps with at least medical information that can give me an idea of what his life may have been like after the war.  

So his timeline fills out without my having to list each and every event before I write.  I am sure though, that if I would compile a list, there would be some gaps to fill.  

In researching these soldiers, I have read many interesting books that I otherwise would not have run across.  I have come across stories that create their own timeline as a branch of the original biography, which are added to my story.  My "timeline" becomes like a tree itself.  

John Border Amos with his wife and most of his children, as well as one grandchild about 1901. 

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