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Nikia

(11,411 posts)
157. I had ancestors on both sides
Wed Nov 21, 2012, 03:15 PM
Nov 2012

I feel that both those branches made great strides in breaking with their racist heritage.
Why were the Northerners racist? They were grandsons of a slave holder. Their father, however, freed his recently deceased father's 20 slaves and moved to Ohio instead.
My great grandfather, the grandson of a Confederate soldier was part of the jazz culture, associating mainly with black musicians in his youth. When he was older and had some money, he advocated fair housing in his community and as a landlord practiced true fair housing, not slum lording.
If your family hasn't experienced a similar turn, let it start with you.

Don't see my choice there union_maid Nov 2012 #1
OK, there's more of my ignorance exposed. I guess I thought serving was voluntary, but it your GF Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #12
There were massive anti-draft riots, especially among recent immigrants Tanuki Nov 2012 #31
It occurs to me only now, as "draft riots" rings a faint bell, that having watched both Ken Burns' Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #143
The Confederates also instituted a rather comprehensive draft, and did so earlier than the Union alcibiades_mystery Nov 2012 #43
The war was more than protection for the slaveholding class. It was outright treason (take coalition_unwilling Nov 2012 #134
Hey, people lucky enough to live in Venice Beach forfeit their right to bitch about anything in my Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #141
True! "States' Rights! Now, report for duty to your central gov't." VOX Nov 2012 #161
Freedom! Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #164
"Rich man's war, poor man's fight" was a common slogan then. gkhouston Nov 2012 #155
I don't see mine either hfojvt Nov 2012 #72
GAR? Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #142
Grand Army of the Republic geardaddy Nov 2012 #148
But of course. I once knew that. Sorry. My mind's a sieve. Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #166
I have direct ancestors that were slave owners TexasProgresive Nov 2012 #2
GGGGF, Clement's father, owned a large number of slaves. I think Clement owned just a few. Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #9
I found that out as well, about five or six months ago. Codeine Nov 2012 #48
Ancestry.com is quite the treasure trove. I would feel better if I had family stories that supported Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #103
so do I hfojvt Nov 2012 #70
One (at least) on each side. LuvNewcastle Nov 2012 #3
I am coming to find out I know much less about the CW than I'd imagined. I knew some families split, Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #6
One well known example of a community split Lars39 Nov 2012 #10
TN? Wikipedia claims, "With such sentiment and influence, it's no surprise that Cades Cove remained Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #16
Probably Lars39 Nov 2012 #50
: ) Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #95
My handle is in reference to the ale. LuvNewcastle Nov 2012 #11
Curses! Geography again. Or topography? Makes sense. Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #17
Kentucky was split A Little Weird Nov 2012 #55
That's an interesting transition over time. After watching the Dust Bowl doc on PBS, it was Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #121
Kentucky was NOT "solid south," though Withywindle Nov 2012 #90
Do you know that from family history, or just general knowledge about the war? Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #110
Just general knowledge Withywindle Nov 2012 #153
I see some votes have come in. Of course, I'd love to hear more about your family histories Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #4
have you visited the DU Genealogy forum? Viva_La_Revolution Nov 2012 #75
Thanks, I haven't really looked into the various groups/forums. I had no idea there was a Genealogyf Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #96
why emotional. it was a different time and place and dosent really mean anything bad loli phabay Nov 2012 #5
Intellectually, I get that. I don't know. Part of it is just the little stories about how Clement Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #7
I agree Casandia Nov 2012 #32
My mother in law had ancestors who fought in the Revolution... GreenEyedLefty Nov 2012 #8
I'm pretty sure my English-Irish-Welsh-Italian-Slovak ancestors arrived post-Civil War to mine coal. WinkyDink Nov 2012 #13
More likely, to work on the railroad REP Nov 2012 #64
Mine were post-CW but they went to PA to mine coal. geardaddy Nov 2012 #77
Wales was pretty big into coal mining, right? So, did they leave there to come here and mine coal Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #98
I'm guessing that wages were higher here geardaddy Nov 2012 #149
The Welsh suffered under English oppression REP Nov 2012 #183
Dw i'n gwybod. geardaddy Nov 2012 #184
None of my ancestors were here, either. GoCubsGo Nov 2012 #68
My grand father was from Georgia but fought for the North madokie Nov 2012 #14
Were there actually regiments from the south who fought for the North. I mean, did your GF Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #21
My great grand father was a slave owner madokie Nov 2012 #34
I'm intrigued by your dad leaving his slave-owning family to fight for the North, then being Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #39
My great grandfather had already given his slaves freedom and they stayed with him madokie Nov 2012 #73
They were called Southern Unionists theHandpuppet Nov 2012 #146
Great point. Thanks for the links. Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #167
Wow ! 3 generations in 108 years ! jaysunb Nov 2012 #99
None for the South (5 for the North), but 4 who fought for the British in the Revolutionary war htuttle Nov 2012 #15
That's a good point. So, you apparently know a great deal about your ancestors. My grandparents Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #24
That's where I started from htuttle Nov 2012 #44
I did a lot of research for free on familyseach.org first, so I had a head start. Then my mom signed Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #128
on my mother's side my family brokechris Nov 2012 #18
oh yeah--the diaries of some family members have brokechris Nov 2012 #19
That must be so interesting! We just have the censuses and a few city directory entries. I guess Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #25
It is addicting. MadrasT Nov 2012 #27
Ooooh, that's exciting. Always more to discover. Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #36
That is really cool. MadrasT Nov 2012 #28
I even have some interviews that my ggggrandfather brokechris Nov 2012 #30
Way cool. MadrasT Nov 2012 #35
My wife qualifies for DOC and therefore my son will qualify for SOC aikoaiko Nov 2012 #20
DOC is news to me. That's quite a past. Your son has a fascinating family history to discover. Do Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #26
Not like the Klan. aikoaiko Nov 2012 #60
I'm guessing I'd qualify as a DOC, but, yeah, I don't know. I live in Southeastern PA, and there is Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #101
I qualify for DAR, DOC, and Daughters of the Union REP Nov 2012 #67
We hear that families were torn apart by the war, but the true life stories are so powerful, to me. Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #105
it's likely i had some sort of relative fight on both sides fizzgig Nov 2012 #22
I am a Daughter of a Union Veteran MadrasT Nov 2012 #23
Your GGGF made it though all that? We used to take the 5th graders to Gettysburg every year, so I Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #33
It could be that your ancestors were racist. MadrasT Nov 2012 #37
"It is amazing to me to think that had my GG grandpa not survived all those battles, I would not be Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #42
I have a letter from my gggrandfather from a Union battlefield hospital REP Nov 2012 #69
The few old family letters we have are so precious, but none are related to anything of such great Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #168
I had one ancestor lose a leg at Gettysburg quaker bill Nov 2012 #29
Oh my, the stories they tell of the surgeries when you visit the battlefield. It's hard to imagine Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #45
The tale goes that it was shot off by a cannon quaker bill Nov 2012 #92
My Granddaddy's 2 brothers fought and it is an interesting story. newfie11 Nov 2012 #38
So, you're the "I had one direct ancestor who fought for both the North and the South! Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #47
Yep one of the 3 newfie11 Nov 2012 #81
My family has lived in Michigan on both sides as long as they've been in what is now the US gollygee Nov 2012 #40
On my side, all immigrants who got here way past the CW. On my husband's Butterbean Nov 2012 #41
5th-gg veteran of Revolutionary War. 3 gggs fought for Confederacy, 1 ggg fought for Union. Zen Democrat Nov 2012 #46
What a family! Do you happen to know how many fellow WWII survivors your dad still has? Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #49
I've always wondered why Republicans are Reds when they hate Communists so much! Zen Democrat Nov 2012 #58
AFAIK, all of my CW ancestors fought for the North WolverineDG Nov 2012 #51
Wow! Another really interesting family history. Booker T, and the Yan-kees! Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #100
I only know of a Northern one treestar Nov 2012 #52
Yep. I'm finding there can be a lot we don't know about our ancestors! Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #108
Some of us more than others me b zola Nov 2012 #125
That's a tease. Do tell. Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #129
Adoption is identity theft me b zola Nov 2012 #150
I can sympathize with the issues brought up there. I'm sorry for your loss. Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #163
Genealogy/ancestry research is big business and everyone is interested me b zola Nov 2012 #181
I know for sure that an ancestor on my father's side was a Confederate soldier.. ananda Nov 2012 #53
I had reletives that fought on both sides. nt Javaman Nov 2012 #54
One on each side Spider Jerusalem Nov 2012 #56
I have several that fought on both sides... sunwyn Nov 2012 #57
Duvall, eh? Any relation to Mareen Duvall of Maryland? Spider Jerusalem Nov 2012 #87
Damn, I wonder if I'm related to our president, too. How did you discover that? Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #117
My ancestors were Italian goat-herders at the time of the Civil War. Arkana Nov 2012 #59
The most important point to learn when you're tracing your family tree.... OldDem2012 Nov 2012 #61
I agree, once you start putting together the tree many things pop up flamingdem Nov 2012 #80
A box of chocolates, ha! Yep. Thanks for sharing your insights and stories. Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #118
As far as I can tell, all of our relatives fought for the Union. NiteOwll Nov 2012 #62
Every male of age on both sides fought for the confederacy curlyred Nov 2012 #63
My VA relatives are all Teabaggers too. My mom wants me to go down there with her to try to get some Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #106
On both sides? I would have thought there were at least some Union soldiers in the war. (nt) Posteritatis Nov 2012 #109
My parents were JNelson6563 Nov 2012 #65
My GGGF had his earlobe shot off in the war. (Talk about your close calls!) bluedigger Nov 2012 #66
Mine rode with John Brown MuseRider Nov 2012 #71
Truer words! Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #119
What if you knew one your ancestors AsahinaKimi Nov 2012 #74
I can't imagine. War, huh, what is it good for? Absolutely nothing, (well, for the most part...) Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #120
I would say that your dad is right. Major Hogwash Nov 2012 #156
Not sure, there would have been some of those Ozark (AR) hill folk who would have gone back patrice Nov 2012 #76
I have some idea--I get very, very absorbed in good books--audio or print--and when you can relate Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #122
My gr gr had a regimen in NY named after him flamingdem Nov 2012 #78
So, you've got politics in your blood? Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #123
I always did and the rest of the family as well flamingdem Nov 2012 #147
My grandma pointed out the grave of her uncle or great uncle geardaddy Nov 2012 #79
After what I've learned in this thread, I wont assume whether or not that was a Union or Confederate Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #131
I had a very interesting situation... susanna Nov 2012 #82
I think my second last poll option covers this, but certainly not in this much detail! I guess that Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #132
All of the above liberal N proud Nov 2012 #83
My mother's mother's father's father died at Vicksburg. libinnyandia Nov 2012 #84
That's actually a bit of a family mystery for me. Xithras Nov 2012 #85
There are some really big categories missing Retrograde Nov 2012 #86
Not missing, really, since it's a poll about ancestors who fought in the Civil War. Nothing against Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #133
So the rest of us aren't "real" DUers? Retrograde Nov 2012 #162
You have read into my OP Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #169
Have North and South Veterans in my family tree JCMach1 Nov 2012 #88
Holy crossdressing, Machman! Now that's a real behind-the-scenes story you family has. Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #170
One ggg on mom's side was in the ashling Nov 2012 #89
I know that I tend to be surprised when family members end up being so politically different Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #171
I have ancestors who served on both sides. I didn't find out about them until I was 51 years old mulsh Nov 2012 #91
Holy crap, GG Uncle Antonio! What were you fighting for? Don't you wish he'd written some letters Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #172
Paternal grandmother's maternal grandfather, 8th Illinois Cavalry, was wounded at Monocacy. FarCenter Nov 2012 #93
Monacacy--another new one to me. Seems like one I'd have heard of. Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #173
I have a lot of ancestors who fought for the Confederacy csziggy Nov 2012 #94
I'm related to the wife of Jefferson Davis ismnotwasm Nov 2012 #97
I've been wrong a lot in this thread in my guesses and assumptions about affiliations, so I won't Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #135
My ancestors came "over on the boat" in 1919 OEM BillyJack Nov 2012 #102
You should add another choice for those whose ancestors were immigrants democrattotheend Nov 2012 #104
My ancestors were from Virginia/W. Virginia probably had them on both sides. n/t doc03 Nov 2012 #107
My family was not in the US during the Civil War. nt ZombieHorde Nov 2012 #111
A large branch of my family tree Tree-Hugger Nov 2012 #112
Anyone who compares\equates Lee to Hitler needs to have his or her head examined pronto. FFS, Lee coalition_unwilling Nov 2012 #138
Well, sounds like you know more than many about their family tree. Very interesting. Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #139
my gg grandfather veganlush Nov 2012 #113
Well that was mighty neighborly of him! Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #144
none of my relatives had any part of it Skittles Nov 2012 #114
Didn't some Brits have some part in it? At least in weapons sales and other support? Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #137
certainly not my fishermen! Skittles Nov 2012 #145
don't feel too bad; I have some Tories in my ancestry grasswire Nov 2012 #115
Well, it sounds like if they sinned, they sure did pay their penance. Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #140
Both sides of my family ellie Nov 2012 #116
Well, then no wonder you're a Dem. Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #136
My ancestors all fought for the South. madfloridian Nov 2012 #124
I have family on both sides of WWI, WWII, the Civil War and the Revolution jberryhill Nov 2012 #126
Be very proud of your Confederate ancestor. No Vested Interest Nov 2012 #127
Yeah, when a boy too young to fight tries to sign up anyway, that shows some courage Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #130
Me too get the red out Nov 2012 #151
My ancestors of that time lived under the boot of the Russian Empire. Kaleva Nov 2012 #152
Living under a boot--that sounds less than ideal. Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #175
I had a lot of ancestors in the US during the Civil War, so you would think that I would kestrel91316 Nov 2012 #154
Sounds like your ancestral army was resting up for future wars! Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #174
I had ancestors on both sides Nikia Nov 2012 #157
The turn started with my mother. She's a relatively liberal Dem, and three of her five children Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #177
the world of the past was a cruel and brutal world -- no doubt everyone of us us have among our Douglas Carpenter Nov 2012 #158
Nicely put -- and quite true. n/t VOX Nov 2012 #160
True. Sadly, I think for the most part the world of today is still a cruel and brutal world. That's Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #178
If my Confederate GGF had been killed, I wouldn't be typing this... VOX Nov 2012 #159
Another option...my ancestors came over in the early 1900's AFTER the Civil War... joeybee12 Nov 2012 #165
I had no ancestors who were even in the country at the time. Jackpine Radical Nov 2012 #176
Not only ancestors who fought for Union and Confederacy one ancestor armed slaves against Mormons. gordianot Nov 2012 #179
I had ancestors on the wrong side of Civil and Revolutionary Wars catbyte Nov 2012 #180
The Mason-Dixon Line pretty much intertwines with my family tree. luvs2sing Nov 2012 #182
My family is from the so south Drahthaardogs Nov 2012 #185
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