The Last Years of Henry Thompson

It has been a few weeks since we last left the trail of Henry Thompson and his missing years. Honestly, I have been dreading writing about the last chapter of Henry's life. It is the price of digging into family history that sometimes you will unearth things that are wonderful and amazing, but you will also discover things that are dark and disturbing. The truth is the truth though, and if you praise the good then you must also reckon with the bad. I should note a trigger warning regarding elder abuse in the following story.

The Lost Years of Henry Thompson

Part 3 1890-1932 Henry Thompson was a favorite uncle of my husband's grandmother. She told us many times that Henry went to fight in the American Civil War and for some time the rest of his family did not know where he was or even if he survived. A few months ago, I asked Gopher … Continue reading The Lost Years of Henry Thompson →

The Lost Years of Henry Thompson

In this second part of the missing years of Henry Thompson covering the years 1870 - 1890, I try to follow him as he moves to Chicago and Michigan. By using clues he left in his depositions for his military pension applications I find more previously unknown family members.