the world according to greg

A blend of progressive 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 ….

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What We Do …

The Story of Us

Stories, posts and photography collections relating to my family, including the Hile, Bousman, Penrose, Korhonen/Johnson, Baugh and Dudymott families and their related branches. Come along and enjoy the ride, and know that somewhere along the way you’re likely to find yourself, for at the end of the day, the story of me is the story of us.

The Truth

As Joe Klaas in Twelve Steps to Happiness puts it, “The truth will set you free, but first it will piss you off.” Indeed, sometimes truth hurts. But it’s still truth. My mission in many of the posts you will find here is to challenge — challenge societal norms that need challenging, challenge so-called alternative facts and realities that need to be called out and unmasked. But there’s also the need for affirmation — the proclaiming of things that are good, things that are fun and harmless, things that add meaning and context to our human existence. At The World According to Greg, we hope to do both.

Why We Do It …

It’s Who We Are

As Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.,
one who plays a prominent role in our family
history, once observed:
“We are not makers of history.
We are made by history.”

It’s For Who Comes Next

Between the shared stories of our past and the realities of the world we live in today, we must continually remind ourselves that our children, our children’s children, and those that follow will be looking back and judging how we lived our lives.

It’s For Politics, or the Lack Thereof

“Why waste your time looking up your family tree?” Mark Twain, who also figures prominently in our family history, once asked. “Just go into politics and your opponents will do it for you.” Most folks don’t go into politics. That’s where we come in.

How We Do It …

We Tell Stories

Anyone who knows me, knows I love to share stories. Hopefully, they’re not the same ones told over and over. Stories set context and that is how we remember.

We Use Social Media

Social media has changed the world in so many ways. We use Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube, and other media to keep you and us informed.

We Get the Receipts

One reason we encourage those who might disagree with us to engage is that we strive to document and do our homework in advance so that we humbly know what the hell we’re talking about.

What’s New …

the latest posts

Hile | Politics | Religion

There Will Be More …

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I am about as white as they come here in America. My family tree roots all come from Northern Europe and the UK, and my DNA testing has conclusively proven that I am not as Korean as I once thought I was, after all.

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!

See More …

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 …

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