Grandfather’s Deeds Discovered In Quest

Retired Whitworth professor Garland A. Haas has delved into his family history deeper than most and now has a book to his credit about his findings.

When he learned his grandfather, William Haas, had fought in the Civil War, and was a member of the 53rd Indiana Volunteer Regiment, he determined to learn all he could about this group of Hoosiers. His own ancestor left no letters or diaries, and Haas rightly surmised he would learn about his ancestor’s war experiences through the legacy left by others in the regiment.

As his search expanded into all sources of Civil War history, he learned enough to fill a book. “To the Mountain of Fire and Beyond” was published this year by Guild Press of Indiana. Haas took his title from a quote about the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain where the mountain smoked and blazed with fire, caught as it was between the cannon fire of both Union and Confederate units.

When William Haas was 18, he and his family emigrated to America from Germany and settled in Indiana. He volunteered into the Army in response to the waves of patriotism sweeping across the country. Many immigrants fought in the Civil War, wanting to help preserve freedom and the type of government they sought when they crossed the Atlantic.

At war’s end, Haas received a citation, commending his service to his county in its hour of need.

“To the Mountain of Fire and Beyond” is written in a lively style, and its historical accuracy makes for exciting Civil War reading. The book ($29.95) is available at Auntie’s Bookstore, and Haas has a few paperback copies left; call him at 466-1468. He has donated a copy to the Genealogy Section of the Spokane Public Library.

In other genealogy news:

The Valley Clan Diggers, a friendly genealogy group, has been meeting monthly in the Spokane Valley for nearly a decade. I was invited to their September meeting where they shared stories of summer activities, family and school reunions and genealogy successes.

The meeting began with everyone telling their name, where they were from and where they were born. (You’re from where you spend your teenage years.) Most group members are second-generation Spokane residents. Donna Jean Carnegie is the current coordinator and “convener,” as she called herself. She told a bit about her Irish research, and the “hatchies,” “matchies” and “dispatchies” of Irish records.

Any Spokane Valley resident interested in genealogy is welcome to join this warm little group; call Donna Jean Carnegie at 926-8985 for information about the next meeting.

Reader John E. Ernest shared this wonderful genealogy story:

Seems his mother was adopted in 1912 in Minneapolis. After seven years and a court order, Ernest finally obtained a copy of her birth certificate.

Next, he wrote letters to 20 families with that surname living in the Minneapolis area. The first batch of letters went out on a Monday, and the following Friday, he received a telephone call from the family historian saying there was a Bible entry stating his mother had taken her baby to the adoption agency. He had found his birth family!

The point of the story? Never give up trying to find those elusive ancestors, and let inspiration guide you along the way.

, DataTimes MEMO: Donna Potter Phillips welcomes letters from readers. Write to her at The Spokesman-Review, Features Department, P.O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210. For a response, please include a self-addressed, stamped envelope.

The following fields overflowed: CREDIT = Donna Potter Phillips The Spokesman-Review