Family is the place where we begin, before we even have a concept of what family is. It is the place where our deepest qualities and feelings are first formed, and it is the place (for better or for worse) from which we launch ourselves to live our lives. Our family’s history affects us even if we do not know it. But to know it can be illuminating, even inspiring. Even at its worst it is still cautionary, and suggests to us how we might steer our own lives better, and that of our own families and communities.

There are over forty stories in this collection, spanning five generations of Glenn Martin’s family, going back to the early 1800s. For the most part he did not know these stories or these people until recently. The knowledge has been due to technology, persistence, helpful connections and occasional good detective instinct.

There are no famous or wealthy people here, but all of these people did remarkable things in their lives. What shines through is something like the universal spirit of humanity.