What Do Moldy Potatoes Have to Do with Love?

It was not uncommon for escaped slaves from the states to flee to Canada and fall in love with an Irish immigrant. Although in America biracial relationships were illegal, in Canada there were many such relationships. The Irish Potato Famine (caused by moldy potatoes) caused a million deaths. It also drove a million or more people to North America and Great Britain. Many people can trace their Canadian ancestry to an American runaway slave who fell in love with an Irish immigrant.

Suellen Ocean is the author of the Civil War Era Historic Romance, Black Pansy:

The Indians Bought Horses… First Thing

My husband loves to remind me that my father told him, “The first thing I do is, buy myself a nice set of wheels.” Meaning of course, a good, reliable car. That’s good advice. Before we had cars we used horses, and that was the first thing the Potawatomi Indians bought after the treaty of Tippecanoe. “After the signing of this treaty, and at the request of the Indians, two thousand seven hundred dollars were applied to the purchasing of horses, which were purchased and delivered to the Indians under our direction, leaving the sum to be paid in merchandise, at this time, twenty-nine thousand three hundred dollars.”

Suellen Ocean is the author of Secret Genealogy IV – Native Americans Hidden in Our Family Trees:

Compensation to the Masters Only. No Slave Compensation

Over 800,000 British Caribbean slaves began to be free in the late summer of 1834. Imagine how they felt to finally have their freedom. It must have felt unjust though to watch the slave owners receive compensation and not them, after they did all the work. August 1^st is the date to remember for the descendants of British Caribbean slaves. In 1834, the Brits set your people free.

Suellen Ocean is the author of the Civil War Era Historic Romance, Black Pansy:

Native American Citizenship? Not Until 1924

Native Americans are thought of (by many) as America’s First People. They were here in great numbers when the Europeans arrived. Their numbers plummeted when exposed to foreign viruses that the newcomers brought. And war. And famine. As a people, they’ve had much to contend with. And they’ve fought hard for any political success they’ve won. And continue to fight for their rights. Proving what an uphill battle it’s been, it wasn’t until 1924 that an act of Congress granted U.S. Citizenship to Native Americans.

Suellen Ocean is the author of Secret Genealogy IV – Native Americans Hidden in Our Family Trees:

Why a Victorian Christmas?

The German tradition of decorating trees for Christmas was brought to Britain by Queen Victoria and her husband Albert, who was a German prince. He was also her first cousin but that’s another story. They must have had a lot of fun celebrating Christmas with their nine children. Albert died of typhoid fever the same year that the Civil War began.

Suellen Ocean is the author of the Civil War Era Historic Romance, Black Pansy:

Native American Genealogy… What’s In a Name?

When a treaty was made with the Potawatomi Native tribes in 1832, they gave up land in Michigan, Illinois, and Indiana. In exchange they were given “reservations” where “sections” were allotted to certain Natives. Scrolling through the list of names, there are many Native names. Scrolling further down the list, there are Natives receiving sections who have European names. “Mary Lacombe’s children” received “one half section.” “John B. Ducharm, one section.”

As we search for our Native ancestry, we must remember that they might look like just another European, but before they were John and Mary, they had names like To-pen-ne-bee, Mon-i-taw-quah and Pet-chi-co.

Suellen Ocean is the author of Secret Genealogy IV – Native Americans Hidden in Our Family Trees:

Native American Births… They Did It Standing Up?

If you’ve given birth, you know it can be painful. Movies always show women lying in bed screaming their heads off. Some 18^th century accounts of Native American women giving birth depict the exact opposite. It is often described as a peaceful endeavor, frequently the woman is alone in nature where she might sit down to give birth but lying was not the custom. Standing and kneeling was also practiced.

Suellen Ocean is the author of Secret Genealogy IV – Native Americans Hidden in Our Family Trees:

What’s a Cajun?

Eunice, Louisiana is Cajun country. Lafayette, Louisiana is Cajun country. The name Cajun comes from the name Acadian. The Acadians were a former French colony in Canada, now known as Nova Scotia, that “ceded to Great Britain 1713.” Webster’s Dictionary says, “ceded” but I think more accurately the Acadians were driven out by the British. Most of them went to Louisiana and are known today as Cajuns. Their food, music and lively customs make Louisiana a fun place to visit.

Suellen Ocean is the author of the Civil War Era Historic Romance, Black Pansy: