American Legacies Organization, Inc.

We are dedicated to preserving the memories of family members and the historical lifestyles of the horse and buggy days. Our main objective is to publish and preserve the memories of people that traveled in covered wagons, horse and buggy, or Model T's, went to one room schools, used outhouses, lived through The Great Depression, World War II or any other era that is worth remembering and documenting for future generations.

by Thomas G. Parker, MD with Beverly Ballaro, PhD

In the winter of 1950, during my second year of surgical training at Massachusetts Memorial Hospital in Boston, I volunteered to join the Air Force and soon received orders to report for active duty upon completion of the training year. Then, unexpectedly, one of my surgical professors, Reginald Smithwick, summoned me to his office-an unusual event of either great or terrible implication.

Legacy of: Lizzie Fink Hostetter nee Long
from South Annville, PA
born 1881

Chili Sauce
18 ripe tomatoes
1 qt. celery, cut fine
3 peppers
3 onions
1 qt. vinegar
1 tea spoon salt
1 lb. sugar
1/2 tea spoon black pepper

Directions: boil 1 hour

Bettmann // Getty Images

The last century saw the birth of iconic inventions and innovations like radios, televisions, computers, iPhones, and the Slinky. Other products were lost over the last 100 years, like the Monopoly thimble and celery-flavored Jell-O.

John Dollar looks out his office window while reminiscing about the Korean War.

In the case of Korea, the conflict that took 54,000 American lives saved the South from falling to the Communists.

Originally published June 25, 2000

By Jeff Decker

Carrot, Egg or Coffee. Which one are you?

A carrot, an egg and a cup of coffee... You will never look at a cup of coffee the same way again.

A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved, a new one arose.

by Linnea Travis Miller

Genealogy The science or study of family descent

As I sit contemplating my research from last year, I can truly state that I had a very good year!! How about all of you?? When it comes to studying your families, it's always good to have a goal for each year. That helps to keep you focused amidst all the sidelines you may venture into during your research. It's very important to keep good, organized notes, so you don't have to retrace your steps and make extra work for yourself.

Gary McLean // Fairfax Media via Getty Images

Fashion is often thought to be the defining quality of a generation. But the dinner table can give just as many clues about a period in time as clothing. Sweet and savory gelatin-based foods were as characteristic of the 1960s as bell bottoms, go-go boots, and drop-waist dresses. Low-fat diets and farm-to-table foods represented the '70s as much as peasant blouses, military surplus clothes, and frayed jeans.

"Old Soldiers Never Die"

Gen. Douglas MacArthur (1880-1964) was one of most prominent United States military figures of the first half of the twentieth century.

In World War I he served as chief of staff of the Forty-second Infantry (Rainbow) Division and later commanded one of its brigades. He was twice wounded and received many decorations for bravery.

In April of 1943, at the age of 18 my father, Franklin Thomas Wike, left his job as a soda jerk at a local drug store in Lebanon, PA and joined the Army. I have no idea what his expectations or fears were the day he was inducted into the Army, but the price he would pay, for our freedom would have a major effect on his life, as well as the lives of many others.