If you have heard of Bryce Little, you may have heard about US History class...and you may have heard about Bryce's Family History Project. Each winter, Bryce's US History students (all of the juniors) interview family members in preparation for writing their Family History paper. If at all possible, students research their parents, grandparents, and great grandparents, in addition to writing their own autobiography. Some of their interviewing questions include the following: What place did religion have in your upbringing? Have you changed your religious beliefs in the course of your life? What roles have major American historical experiences (wars, Depression, civil rights, union labor, '60s protest movements, etc.) played in your life? Are political concerns important to you, and if so, what concerns do you have?
Bryce's students work very hard on these papers. I thought it might be fun to share with you some of the information that students discovered about their families. The first of these papers was written by Lucas H. Selvidge who was born in 1995. Here are some of Lucas's ancestors:
George Pendleton Selvidge was born in 1873, the son of a Confederate veteran who later became a Baptist preacher. George was the valedictorian of the 1st graduating class (of seven) at Baylor. He graduated in 1894. George founded Selvidge Business College, which operated until approximately 1915.
Jane (Jennie) Morgan Mayhew was born in 1850. She was the mother of Toy Mayhew who married George (above). Jennie was married to a Union soldier who was wounded at the battle of Shiloh.
Lt. Ancil Blackburn Mayhew was in the 9th Kentucky Regiment, Company C. He was married to Jennie (above). He was wounded on April 6, 1862, in the Battle of Shiloh.
Georgiane Colaxson Schaeffer was born in Christiana (now Oslo), Norway. She married, divorced, and finally married William Schaeffer who was reportedly not a very nice man. She eventually became the grandmother of Frances Shafer Selvidge.
William Mayhew Selvidge, Sr. was born in 1916. At the beginning of World War II, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps. In August, 1943, he was the pilot of a B-24 named the "Sooner Queen." While in England, he was interviewed at Christmas time in 1943 by CFS war correspondent Edward R. Murrow for a Christmas broadcast that was heard in the United States. He was the grandfather of Lucas Selvidge.
I had a hard time picking and choosing from Lucas's long list of ancestors and interesting stories. Thanks to Lucas for allowing me to share parts of his paper with you. More to come on Family History projects.
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