Sunday, September 13, 2009

David Sanders and the Battle of New Orleans

This post is a response to a challenge by a family history blog group. I think it was on facebook. It might have been an "event." The topic was "write a blog about an ancestor who participated in a famous battle."

My Ancestor David Sanders of Tennessee went with General Andrew Jackson down the Mississippi River and participated in the Battle of New Orleans. In fact, he was wounded and died a few days later.

A few years ago, I read The Battle of New Orleans by Robert V. Remini. I am pretty sure that was the book. It was very interesting. I was not able to learn anything specific about my ancestor but I learned a lot about how important the Battle of New Orleans was to United States History. It was the first time such a diverse group of Americans fought together. Even though the War of 1812 was officially over and they didn't know because the news of the treaty being signed in France hadn't reached them yet, the impressive victory let the British know that the USA was strong and capable and should be left alone.

As a result of this challenge I want to read up some more on the history of Andrew Jackson and the Battle of New Orleans and see if I can find out more about David Sanders and his role.

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

My sister sent me an email today letting me know that she has discovered newfamilysearch. Her ward explained the program in the 5th Sunday combined Relief Society/Priesthood meeting on Sunday. She was able to sign in and start making corrections to the family search version of our family history. New Family Search is not available in my temple district yet. So I can not sign in yet. I am so excited that she has started doing this!!!