The Search for Uncle George

As I work some more on Mandy's story, Papa Goes to War, I think about my husband Jim's and my search for Uncle George's grave. From letters and Civil War records, I learned that he, Mandy's uncle (and my great, great uncle) died of dysentery near Atlanta during Sherman's March to the Sea.

Our search finally took us to the Union Cemetery at Marietta. There we actually did find the stone for Uncle George's grave, near the oblisk that marked his unit, as described in an old letter.

In my book, I write about Mandy and her family receiving the news of Uncle George's death and how the seriousness of the war struck home.

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

Is the Photo the Original Mandy?

I found a photo in my grandmother's photo album of a girl, who may be the "original" Mandy. It's a young girl who, I think, may be the daughter of Uncle James, the widower.

Even if she isn't, I could base my description around her, develop a story about her life that becomes Mandy's story. If I look at the genealogy records a little closer I may find the names of his children. That will tell me if the girl in the photo is my Mandy...the main character of Papa Goes to War.

Inspiration to Work on Mandy's Story Again

My inspiration has been sparked again to get back to writing my middle reader novel, Papa Goes to War, about Mandy and her family. The idea for Mandy's story comes from my genealogy research where I discovered a great, great uncle...a widower who goes off to war, leaving his children in the care of a new wife.

When visiting an author friend the other day, we began talking about our novels inspired by Civil War ancestors. Janet Elaine Smith wrote My Dear Phebe, a children's novel based on letters from this era in her family.

Mandy Among 2008 Goals

A friend frequently asks me, "Mary Emma, when are you finishing your Uncle Buffalo Bill book? Have you finished the Sarah Jane picture book?"

I grin sheepishly and say, "I'm working on them."

In 2008, I must stop only working on them and finish these projects!

1. Finish the rough draft to Papa Goes to War, a Civil War era middle reader book based on my ancestors.

2. Finish the book about my Uncle Buffalo Bill Mathewson, the original Buffalo Bill in the West.

3. Finish my Sarah Jane's Daring Deed picture book.

4. Develop the activities for these books and place them on my web sites.

5. Draft some of my other writing projects, but concentrate on them minimally until I have the above finished.

Mandy...a Daughter of the Civil War

Mandy is the lead character of my middle reader novel-in-progress. She has evolved from researching my family history, when I discovered some of my ancestors had served in the Union forces.

One was Uncle James, a widower with young children. He married again and went off to war. I thought this would be a good basis for a story that involved a family coping with change...a stepmother and a father away at the war that was creating such a division in the nation.