Ohio Legends 1 & 2 are now available in E-Book at Amazon.com

James Ditty (the lost brother) Click images to enlarge!

  How can I tell this story? I do not believe it, but I know it is true. I have learned over the years that many times when people relate important stories of their family’s history and origins, important details get lost and there is no corroborating evidence to back up their claims. Over the years memories fade, and details are lost from generation to generation. But in this case, we can rely on the DNA evidence, and you can’t argue with the science involved.

  Last Christmas my daughter Tina suggested we share the cost of one of those DNA kits, as a Christmas gift to my wife Patti.   

  Patti has a deep interest in her genealogy, and has spent a good deal of time researching her family. The DNA testing works like this:  you provide a sample of your DNA, then you send it off to a lab, and they are able to discern your ethnic origins, and break it down to percentages of race and geographic locations.

  It is a straightforward proposition, and then in a few weeks you receive a pretty generic breakdown of your ethnicity. There is also a little checkbox on the form that instructs them to report any DNA matches that were revealed. Patti checked the box in passing, mostly just to complete the form.

  Within a few days, Patti received a bombshell in her e-mail. A man named Dennis Ditty in Minnesota claimed to be a direct blood relative of Patti, and asked for any details about his father James Ditty who died in 1960.

  Patti was suspicious and didn’t answer the e-mail immediately, wary of some new internet scam. Instead, she asked her father if he knew of a James Ditty who like her father, was born in Tennessee but moved to Michigan early on, and was now living in Minnesota, and was about 70 years old.

  Patti’s Dad immediately said: “No”;-but then stopped mid-sentence, remembering something from his past. He recalled that more than 60 years ago after his mother died he and his brothers were placed in the county orphanage. The youngest son James was adopted by foster parents, who he learned later moved to Michigan.

  In time, the family took the rest of the children in, but by then his brother James had been adopted and moved out of state.     

  Patti’s Dad was unable to obtain any more information on James, as all the documents were sealed by the court, and later destroyed. He spent the rest of his life wondering what kind of man his little brother became.

  Patti went back to her extensive notes on her family’s genealogy, and constructed a time line of events that matched perfectly. After 60 years they had discovered the lost brother!

  The joy of discovery was tempered with the realization that James had passed so many years ago and never knew his roots.

  By all accounts James was good man, honest and hardworking who loved his kids, could draw and paint well, and had a gift for music, just like the rest of his family.

  James son Dennis, his wife Debby and family were reunited with a host of relatives they never knew they had yesterday in Vandalia, Ohio, and discovered they all had much in common.

  You can see in their faces that time and troubles had not wiped away the unmistakable family resemblances.

  I am beginning to understand now that whether we like it or not, we all need a sense of belonging, of roots, and in a word; family.

Jeff Wilson

Patti's Dad Leon (L)---Dennis Ditty (M)---------Patti's Uncle Kenny (R)

A whole lot of Family!!

    

Ohio Legends Books-- Hits the Road!

                                Warren County History Center ‘Lunch and Learn Series:

  When: One Wednesday each month (except in July) 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Doors open at 10:00 a.m., lunch served promptly at 11:30 a.m., program ends at 1:00 p.m., museum closes 4:00 p.m.
The City of Lebanon began taping the Lunch & Learn programs beginning in September of 2015. 
  Where: Warren County History Center, 105 S. Broadway, Lebanon, OH 45036
  Details: Enjoy a gourmet catered served lunch, the company of new and long-time friends, and a special lesson in history.
Cost: 2017 Lunch & Learn Price $25 non-members, $20 members.**JUNE ONLY: Special Price of $25/Members, $30 Non-Members***
Please note the member price applies to members only. Single members may purchase one ticket per event at member price, Family members may purchase two tickets per event at member price. All others, please select the non-member price.
Paid registration is required in advance--by the Saturday prior to the event. Reserve online, by phone at 513-932-1817, or by mailing a check to the above address.

  August 16, 2017

Topic: Ohio Legends PART II - Another Look at Ohio's Diverse, Unique History and its Remarkable People

Details: Jeff Wilson author and illustrator of Ohio Legends, Ohio Legends Volume 2 and the soon to be released Ohio Legends Volume 3, was so well received at the April 2016 Lunch & Learn that we have invited him to come back. Every page in his books has a short story with an original, expressive illustration that brings to life a bit of Buckeye trivia or an oddity about an Ohio inventor, ghost, visionary, hero, crackpot or criminal. Wilson will tell new stories and share some more of his drawings of that fascinating place called Ohio.

Speaker: Jeff Wilson is a free-lance cartoonist, writer and illustrator. A life-long resident of the Buckeye state, he lives in Vandalia, Ohio with his wife Patti and enjoys any good, goofy story about Ohio.  

James Webb Cook Hayes

Click to enlarge....

Appearances/ Union County Genealogical Society's meeting in Marysville, Ohio!

  Thank you Marysville! Many folks took the time to turn out for the Union County Genealogical Society's meeting at the Marysville Public Library on Saturday! I would like to thank everyone especially Leona Gustafson, Alice Mackey. .....Jeff

Plain City Advocate newstory about 'Ohio Legends' appearance in Marysville!

http://plaincity-advocate.com/features/lifestyle/5387/wilson-to-be-guest-speaker-at-genealogical-society

Click to enlarge.....

Wow! Check THIS out!

Unsigned, "gently used" copies of  'Ohio Legends' are selling for DOUBLE on the internet! Dang!

https://www.abebooks.com/servlet/SearchResults?cm_sp=plpafe-_-all-_-soft&an=jeff+wilson&bi=s&ds=5&n=100121503&sortby=17&tn=ohio+legends

  Order your brand spanking new autographed copy today at half the cost at:
https://sites.google.com/site/ohiolegendsbooks/


https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=ohio+legends+jeff+wilson