Category Archives: Collier

The Grandmother I Never Knew

Posted on November 29, 2015 by cynthiaberryman

I know only wisps of my grandmother’s life, those parts that came to me in stories told by my mother, or from the occasional times our family made the 3,000 mile trip from Southern California to the Virginia farm where she spent … Continue reading →

Posted in 20th Century, Blue Ridge Mountains, Collier, Meadows, Merica, Old Photos, Shenandoah | Tagged , , , | 8 Comments

Echos of My Blue Ridge Ancestors

Posted on October 26, 2015 by cynthiaberryman

October is peak tourist season in Shenandoah National Park, when the forest puts on a dazzling show that never fails to delight. The trees are decked out in their royal colors: crimson, gold, and purple, a palette of shimmering color that stretches from far horizon … Continue reading →

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My German-(A)Merican Heritage

Posted on September 15, 2014 by cynthiaberryman

This is the first of a several-part series on my grandfather, Thomas Austin Merica. Thomas Austin Merica was born on May 28, 1884 in Greene County, Virginia. Or at least that’s the family legend. He was from sturdy German stock, … Continue reading →

Posted in 18th Century, 19th Century, 20th Century, Blue Ridge Mountains, Collier, Merica, Shenandoah | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

My Mysterious Mary Margaret Magdalene Meadows

Posted on September 8, 2014 by cynthiaberryman

My great grandmother is a mystery to me. My mother knew her well, but she’s 93 and can’t think of much to say about her. My cousin knew her too, but she has nothing to add either. I have no … Continue reading →

Posted in 19th Century, 20th Century, Collier, Meadows, Shenandoah | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Blue Ridge: How Would I Like Eviction?

Posted on June 16, 2014 by cynthiaberryman

I did not set out to write a multi-part series on the Blue Ridge Mountain evictions, but as the original post became longer and longer, I decided to split it into parts, all of which I will post in upcoming … Continue reading →

Posted in 20th Century, Blue Ridge Mountains, Collier, Old Photos, Shenandoah | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

A Complex Tangle of Emotions

Posted on June 9, 2014 by cynthiaberryman

I did not set out to write a multi-part series on the Blue Ridge Mountain evictions, but as the original post became longer and longer, I decided to split it into parts, all of which I will post in upcoming … Continue reading →

Posted in 20th Century, Blue Ridge Mountains, Collier | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments