Friday, August 16, 2013

This is When the Hair on the Back of my Neck Stood Up

So while I was stumbling around the internet looking for hints on my ancestors, I ran across the following photo on Find-A-Grave.com. It is a picture of William T. Hinton, brother to my 3rd Great Grandfather.


I recognized him immediately as looking an awful lot like my grandfather, David Hinton. Same stern expression with the eyebrows and nose creating a capital T. 


So I contacted the person who posted the photo to find out where he found it. Tom explained that his great-aunt had given the photo to him along with some others many years ago when he was a child. She had married one of the grand children of Charles Hinton, the only son William and Minerva had before he died during the war. She gave them to Tom because there were no other Hinton's to give them to.  


He also had the photo of William above and an old photo of their home in Madison, Indiana. This home now just happens to be on the historic madison tour.


I explained why I was searching for information about William and Theodore. He then told me that he was a history teacher. He applies a unique method of learning for his students by assigning them a project each year. One that I think you all will find both interesting and inspiring. This video was made by The Wall Street Journal.



What are the odds that I would stumble upon this person who shares my passion for uncovering the truth and using that information to teach?  This is when the hair on the back of my neck stood up.




11 comments:

Benita said...

That is incredibly cool!!! As a person passionately interested in genealogy, I cannot tell you how exciting this us!

Unknown said...

Did I tell you that while touring the Huddleston house a spirit tapped me on my shoulder? I wonder what kind of reception I'll get at the Hinton House.

Christine said...

Well let's hope it is a handshake and not a slap upside the head. LOL

Unknown said...

WOW, that is unreal. I know it made you happy...

Anonymous said...

Mr. Clark should be getting "teacher of the year awards", as far as that goes, so should anyone who can make history come alive for others.. for if we don not learn from it, we are doomed to repeat it. As I write this tears are rolling down, as his project hits so close to home. My niece is a history buff much like you... but she is so far back she will need to go to Europe and learn proficient German. Good luck in your research.

Historical Ken said...

Wow - - how cool is that? I love it!

Lynda said...

That is one great teacher. Not only are they learning different skills and obtaining knowledge, they are developing an appreciation for those who have protected our country and preserved our rights. Very, very interesting post!

Sara S. said...

This is such a wonderful post and I am so glad that you are making head way on your family search. It seems to me that you have been in contact with a truly amazing man and I agree with the "Anonymous" commenter that he should be winning teacher of the year awards.
Your posts make me want to search my family history. I know that I am a direct descendant of the "Donner Party". A group of brothers and their families that headed out west and got stranded in the Rocky Mountains. To survive they had to resort to drastic measures. I have always wanted to find out more, but just never got around to doing it. Reading your posts have sparked the fire again.
Thank you for sharing your wonderful findings and I hope you continue on the road deeper into your history.

Anne@Kitschy Vintage said...

That was so moving -- thanks for sharing it! What a wonderful blessing that you were brought together with Mr. Clark and your shared love of history. He's a remarkable man, who's found a way to make the people (and the wars they fought in) come alive for those students. I wish they'd had a Mr. Clark in my sons' high school!

Anonymous said...

Great images. I have an ancestry subscription and looked up your William T. Hinton. Army records state that he was in Co . C , 67th IN till 21 Dec. 1864 when he was transferred to the 24th IN. Here is some more information on the unit.
http://www.civilwarindex.com/armyin/24th_in_infantry.html
As I don't have a google ID, I had to post anonymously.
Lauren

Misty said...

Now this IS a neat story! How interesting. I enjoy your blog. :)