
the world according to greg
A blend of genealogy and history, along with current
events, politics, religion, and other stuff not always
suited for the dinner table. No charge. No spam.
Just love. And trains …
What We Do …
Why We Do It …
How We Do It …
What’s New …
the latest posts
There Will Be More …
Committing Justice
Westward Bound — Heading South
Catching Up …
Westward Bound — Such is the Inconsistency of Women
Westward Bound — I Left My Heart …
new pages and features


Genealogy facts and features
One day while visiting family, which included an array of grandparents, great-grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins he had never met, we told our very young grandson we were on our way back to grandma’s. Rather than asking which one, our budding genealogist asked, ”which kind?” Ever wonder what the difference is between a first cousin and a first cousin once removed? Now that he’s old enough to read, here’s a handy little guide to explain it all, along with some other resources that helps in the search for our ancestors. This is for you, Joe!


westward bound
In April, 1919, Hannibal, Missouri residents Ella and Oscar Hile, along with their four children, Wilbur, Ralph, Dallas, and Lois, departed by train to California and the West Coast. Along the way, Ella created a 95-page diary of their journey. The ostensible purpose of the trip was to visit family but it turned out to be much more than that, all captured in the hopes and dreams expressed in Ella’s diary.
A first installment of the series appeared in November, 2021 as we celebrated Ella’s birthday. Stay tuned as the remainder of this powerful and gripping story unfolds shortly.
what’s next …


Maps and Charts …
Genealogists and family historians are nothing without maps, charts, and tree diagrams in all of their various forms. Coming soon will be a lot of them …


puhutko suomea?
No, I don’t speak Finnish, but since a third of my ancestors are of Finnish ethnicity, I think it only right that I try to become a bit more fluent …
The rest of me …
Life does not consist solely of genealogy and politics. Here is a sampling of what you’ll find in The Gallery …


Family Vacations and Trips


NOLA 2006: The Post-Katrina Aftermath


We Said There’d Be Trains


Brazillian Amazon 2004


We Go to Concerts


A Craftsman Home Revival