From One Mountain Home to Another: Trading West Virginia Roots for a Georgia Ridge

There’s a place in West Virginia that will always live in my heart, even if it no longer belongs to my family. My grandparents’ farmhouse stood sturdy against the wind for decades, its white paint peeling in places, its porch swing creaking like it was whispering old stories. The land around it rolled gently into the hills, with fields that blushed green in spring and burned gold in autumn. It wasn’t just property, it was memory, heritage, and the heartbeat of our family.

I discussed this farmhouse in my genealogical based presentation, Hillbilly Highway.  My mother, aunts, and uncles discussed the farm and how it was my grandfather's dream... And they lost it to foreclosure. An extremely low monthly payment, then, that now, the land gets over $250k in natural gas underground. They would have been "money rich"  if they could have kept the farm.  And, they probably would not have divorced. 

Genealogy and a 100 Year Home

 

Breathing New Life into a 105-Year-Old Bungalow in the Blue Ridge Mountains

By Sandy aka Appalachian Renovator | August 2025

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My husband and I recently took a leap of faith and purchased a 105-year-old bungalow tucked into the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains of Georgia. This house, with its creaky floorboards, original stone chimney, and stories hidden in every corner, instantly stole our hearts. But let’s just say… it’s a project.  Actually, we made it a project.

We’re not just giving it a fresh coat of paint, we’re rolling up our sleeves for a full-on revival. Think modern comfort meets mountain soul. And because this journey is just too full of charm, surprises, and sawdust to keep to ourselves, we’ve decided to document every step along the way.

What’s On the To-Do List?

First up: adding a third bedroom. The original layout is cozy, but with family visits (and possibly a future studio space in mind), we knew we needed more room to breathe and grow. We’re being mindful of keeping the historic bones intact while also salvaging old doors and trim, and choosing finishes that reflect the bungalow’s original Craftsman style.

Next: a second bathroom. One bathroom just isn’t going to cut it, especially when the house starts filling up with muddy boots, weekend guests, and the occasional plumbing mystery (we’ve already had one). This new bathroom will bring not only convenience but a little vintage-meets-modern elegance with it.

And, of course, we can’t forget the Yorkies. Our furry family members need room to roam, so we’re installing a fence around the property. It’s a delicate balance—we want it safe and secure, but also something that blends into the rustic beauty of the landscape. Think wooden rails, native plant borders, and enough space for tiny zoomies.  Because we have a double lot, it's going to take a bit of time to dig over 40 fence posts.

Click to continue reading.

The Western Theater - Appalachia in the American Revolution

 

The Western Theater of the American Revolutionary War surrounded Appalachia.

Imagine a vast landscape, from the Appalachian Mountains to the Mississippi River.

This area was called Trans-Appalachia. Trans-Appalachia was frequently used in the 17th and 18th century to refer to the "frontier land", an area separate from the Eastern parts of America. In today's world, it became the states of Western Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Western Virginia. But, it can also be divided into four sub regions which includes states much more West of the Appalachian Mountains and even into Canada.

 


This area became the backdrop for intense conflicts during the American Revolutionary War from 1775 to 1783.

This is the story of the western theater, a deeply contested region influencing the future United States. In the years leading to the Revolutionary War, tensions simmered in the Ohio Valley. The British had gained control over the region after the French and Indian War. This set the stage for conflicts involving Native Americans and American settlers.

The Magic is Gone

 

There is Mud in the Water 

and the Magic is Gone.

Part II of II

I remember the thrill. Hours spent poring over census records, deciphering faded handwriting on old wills, and connecting the dots between generations. Genealogy was an all-consuming passion, a puzzle I was determined to solve. Then, somewhere along the way, the spark faded.

It's a common story in the genealogy community, yet it's rarely talked about. We often hear about breakthrough discoveries and unwavering dedication, but what about when the fire just… dies? If you've found yourself staring blankly at your family tree software, feeling more dread than excitement, you're not alone.

Read Part I

I feel after spending over 20 years of my life chasing ancestors, ghosts, brick walls, stories, and sources, I'm exhausted from having to constantly repeat myself on what and where Appalachia is and who Appalachians are. 

Mud in the Water by Gasoline Gypies.

Mud in the Water

There is Mud in the Water 

and the Magic is Gone.

Part I of II

Read Part II

There is "Mud in the Water" with my genealogy journey.   There are times when you hit a dead end and just can not find any more documentation.  At other times, you find too much aggression from others that refuse to work together or see past the family stories.   And, then there are times that others infiltrate and destroy lifetimes of work and/or destroy one's character just for ignorance or control.   Genealogy can be tough.   Secrets.  Labels.  Shared Ancestors.  Family Stories.  All of these can be contentious but none worse than being cyberbullied.

During May 2025, I was cyberbullied to the point of major anguish.

Being an advocate for Appalachia was always going to make me a lightening rod.  I knew that going in.  I can handle the attacks on Appalachia and Appalachians because I present facts vs Hollywood stories and social media lies which usually shuts down any argument.   It's the personal attacks from keyboard warriors, the brutal lies, scary threats, and the disgusting attacks on my character that I will not allow.  No one should.