Why Passed-Down Recipes Are So Important to Appalachians

 

Does food have a culture?  

Does culture have a food?

Have you ever thought about the foods that you eat?

In Appalachia, food is never just about what’s on the table. It’s about the people who prepared it, the land that provided it, and the traditions that gave it meaning. Passed-down recipes carry a special weight here in the mountains, where family and heritage are woven into daily life as tightly as a hand-stitched quilt.

A Connection to Ancestors

For many Appalachian families, a recipe is a living piece of family history. It might be written in faded ink on a yellowed index card, or it might exist only in memory, shared through countless retellings in kitchens warmed by cast-iron skillets and woodstoves. I have found many clippings of recipes from newspapers and handwritten note paper safely tucked inside an old cookbook of my Grandmother.  I've even done this myself.  Each recipe, each dish becomes a direct link to grandparents, great-grandparents, and even generations further back.   Think about your favorite meals that your Grandmother prepared and chances are that she learned it from her Grandmother.  All the while, keeping their presence alive through taste, smell, and ritual.  I can still smell my Grandmother's hot biscuits coming out of the oven.  A tradition I continue today.

Continue reading and explore more food traditions and let your appetite follow.

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.

52 Ancestors Week 14: Language

 

this week’s theme is “Language.”   

Not all language issues are with source documents.  

Sometimes language barriers occur with accents and spelling in your own language. 

The Appalachian Dialect...

Appalachian English is American English native to the Appalachian mountain region of the Eastern United States.

The Unique Language of Appalachia: A Living Time Capsule

The Appalachian region, stretching from southern New York to northern Alabama and Georgia, is home to one of the most distinctive dialects in North America. Rooted in the early English, Scots-Irish, and German settlers who arrived in the 18th century, Appalachian English has retained many archaic words and phrases that have disappeared elsewhere.

A Time Capsule of Old English

I, for one, do not subscribe to the theory that Appalachians speak "Old English". 

It's been said that Appalachian speech is its preservation of Elizabethan English. Words like afeared (afraid), reckon (suppose), and britches (pants) date back centuries (and yes, we do say those words). The grammatical structures also reflect older forms of English, such as double modals ("I might could do that") and the use of a- prefixing ("He was a-hunting")—a feature found in Middle English poetry.

But, extensive research has been conducted since the 1930's to determine the origin of the Appalachian dialect.  Most would agree that it's an amalgam of Old English from original settlers, colonial 18th century English from the descendants of the original settlers, and a lot of Ulster-Scot dialect.

Without a doubt, Appalachians have always been taunted for their speech to the point of the Appalachian Dialect inferring poorness, laziness, and lack of education.  All of which is completely false.

Click on Read More to see samples on how Appalachians speak and what common words we use in sentences....

52 Ancestors Week 9: Family Secret

this week’s theme is “family secret.”   Tips on sharing the deep dark secret and setting it free.

Every family has its stories, the tales passed down through generations, embellished with each retelling. But what happens when a story isn't told? What happens when a secret, carefully guarded and whispered only in hushed tones, finally comes to light?

You already know mine by reading Surprise, DNA Edition, Letters, and bits from the Migration posts.  But, as a professional genealogist, over the years, I have had my fair share of secrets that I've discovered and discussed with clients.  This is never an easy conversation.  In all my years, when I say I have a secret to tell you about.... it's not that you are directly related to a famous cousin but rather your cousin might be closer than a cousin.

The ethnicity estimate, from the Ancestry.com DNA test, was interesting enough, confirming some family lore and debunking others. But it was the "DNA Relatives" section that truly caught my attention. There, listed alongside distant cousins I'd never heard of, was a name that didn't belong. A name with a significantly higher percentage of shared DNA than a distant relative should have. 

To help understand what to do with a surprise in your DNA Test, I've put together a few tips that worked for me.  There are still times that I get angry or sad or incredibly frustrated because one side of the story is not being told but I always remember:  Let the skelton out of the closet to dance.

Click on Read More to read the tips on sharing your family secret....

52 Ancestors Week 8: Migration

 

This week’s theme is “migration.”   The Hillbilly Highway

I am the product of the Hillbilly Highway.  My Dad decided to move my mom and two brothers out of Weston, West Virginia to Baltimore, Maryland for the chance of a better life.  Jobs were scare in West Virginia.  Families were hungry.  Many left Appalachia for the Steel Towns of the North and the opportunities to the East.  This became known as the Hillbilly Highway.

Some made it back home.  Others never did.   

This video is maternal family's deeply personal story. "Hillbilly Highway: The Out-Migration of Appalachians" features Sandy Patak discussing the migration patterns of people from the Appalachian region to industrial cities. The presentation delves into the reasons behind this migration and examines the cultural impacts on both those who left and those who remained in Appalachia. 

What is the Hillbilly Highway and Why is it so important to Appalachian Genealogy?

Click on Read More to find out....

Appalachian Valentine's Traditions

Valentine’s Day traditions in Appalachia often blend heartfelt simplicity, creativity, and the strong sense of community and family that the region is known for. Every holiday is deeply rooted in the longstanding traditions and culture of Appalachians. While many customs align with broader, modern Valentine’s Day practices, there are unique Appalachian twists—practical in decades past and still cherished today.

As a culture, we tend to use what we have or craft something meaningful from what’s on hand. While modern Appalachians might occasionally hear “He went to Jared’s” or receive a special light blue jewelry box from that famous breakfast spot, Valentine’s Day has always been a more low-key affair in my family.

Click on Read More to read examples of how Appalachians celebrated Valentine's Day....

52 Ancestors Week 7: Letters

This week’s theme is “Letters & Diaries.”
When truth is put in one's own handwriting.

If you read the blog post from last week, Surprise, DNA Version, this is a carry over from that discussion.

Letters?  Oh, I have letters!   I have letters in my biological father's handwriting that he wrote me over a span of two years (after he found out that I was his biological daughter - well, after it was confirmed by DNA).

Oddly, I only have one photo of us together.  This photo was the weekend that we met as adults at his home in Buckhannon, West Virginia.

But, let's get back to the letters.  Do you want to read them???

Click on Read More to see the picture....

52 Ancestors Week 3: Nicknames

This week’s theme is “Nicknames.”  

It's Appalachia.  Of course, I have many ancestors and family and friends with nicknames. 

My big brother has the nickname, Big City Hillbilly.  Born in Weston, West Virginia and traveled the Hillbilly Highway to Maryland.  Steve is a member of the Patriot Guard and takes the responsibility of seeing a soldier to his final resting place very seriously.



But everytime I tried to think of which ancestor to write about this week, I kept circling back to one of my favorite memories of my beloved grandfather, Ward King.   So, here it is......

At an extremely young age and one of my first memories is hanging outside with my grandfather and the other men while the wives cooked for a picnic later that day.   The men were all sharing stories about their farms and current events.  My grandfather was always known to tell a good joke and I guess it was time to lighten the mood.

He grabbed a stick and drew, in the dirt, a typical four way intersection.

The Story Goes Like This…

Traffic was heavy in town today. Cars crowded the streets, and one main intersection was especially chaotic. Since this is a no-stoplight town, a policeman was called in to direct traffic when things got too busy.

As each car passed by the officer, the drivers tipped their heads and called out, “Scout!” This went on for two hours.

My grandfather, sitting among a group of men—farmers to the core—weaved this story to them. Finally, he asked them, “Why does everyone shout ‘Scout’ at the policeman?”

The men mulled it over.

One of them guessed, “Maybe it’s because he was the first officer to arrive at the intersection.”

“No,” my grandfather replied.

Another chimed in confidently, “He’s probably the leader of a Boy Scout troop.”

“Nope.”

Ward King, Braxton County, WV

The group sat in silence for a moment, pondering. Then, another man offered, “Maybe it’s because he’s a good hunting ‘scout’ and has some Native American bloodlines?”

“No,no” my grandfather said again, shaking his head.

The men, now determined to uncover the truth, continued speculating but came up empty-handed.

At four years old, I sat there, completely confused by what I was witnessing. Why was this such a mystery?

Finally, my grandfather leaned forward and asked, “Do you give up?”

The men, defeated, begrudgingly admitted, “Yes.”

But not me.

“Wait!” I exclaimed, my small voice cutting through the summer air. Shocked that I had spoken up—after being as quiet as a church mouse—the men turned to me, their eyes wide.

My grandfather looked at me with a mischievous grin and said, “All right, Sandy, why do they shout ‘Scout’?”

I simply declared, “Because it’s his name.”

Dead silence amongst the men.

I glanced at my grandfather, and I’ll never forget the spark of pride in his eyes.

Then, with a hearty laugh, he exclaimed, “Gosh darn it, Sandy! You are correct!”

Scout was the policeman's nickname.

My GrandDad, oh how I miss that man so much.  I could not have asked for a better grandfather than him. 💞

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#52Ancestors was started by another WikiTreer, blogger, and professional genealogist, Amy Johnson Crow. Check out her Generations Cafe Facebook group

Bibles and Inaugurations

 The Significance of Bibles in U.S. Presidential Inaugurations

As the United States inaugurates its 47th President and 50th Vice President, two common questions often arise: Which Bible will be used to take the oath of office?  And, is a Bible required to take the oath of office?

Is a Bible Required to Take the Oath of Office?

Interestingly, no, a Bible is not required to take the oath of office in the United States. While the U.S. Constitution mandates that the President-elect recite a specific oath to assume office, it does not specify that a Bible or any other religious text must be involved.

This misconception was highlighted during President Trump's inauguration when some questioned the legitimacy of the oath because he did not place his hand on a Bible. However, as long as the prescribed words are recited, the oath is constitutionally valid.

I found a very familiar West Virginian

 

A visit to Central West Virginia always has me stopping by the Weston Masonic Cemetery (now Lewis Memorial Garden) in Weston, WV. This is where my Dad is buried. The conditions of this cemetery really are not great.  One day, my husband, son and I decided that we should not only clean up my Dad's memorial but also his "neighbors."  The Weston Masonic Cemetery is truly a random mix of citizens.  And, this is how I came to know Paul Ebbert, Sr.

There are times that I am surprised that I come across a grave of a familar and/or famous person whose tombstone appears to be so "normal".  After getting home and processing the photographs and researching the person, I find out little tidbits about a person's life.

52 Ancestors Week 2: Favorite Family Photo

 

This week’s theme is “Favorite Family Photo.”  What is the story behind it??

I am going to be straight up honest with you right from the start:  I do not have a favorite family photo. 

There are way too many memories forever documented in photographs for me to ever pick just one favorite.  I could pick childhood photos, family reunion photos, my wedding photo, photos of adventures and boon doggles with my son, or my many road trips in and around Appalachia with my husband.  I could also pick a photo from the bazillion pet photos that I have.  🐾

So, why did I finally decide on this one photo?  Truthfully, it is probably the only time that myself and my two brothers actually, somewhat, got along.  And, it gives me an opportunity to truly document my Dad's dedication to make sure his family had a family vacation once a year.  Something he never had until he married.

Appalachian New Years Traditions

 As a kid, we never celebrated NYE much. My Mom always found it depressing and would encourage us to "just go to bed early".  As an adult, I've been to parties for NYE but have come to realize that I prefer something subdued, at home. 

Talking with several of my Appalachian family and friends, I am finding out that a subdued NYE is extremely cultural. 

Community focus

Appalachians tend to focus more on family and religion on NYE than the big and impersonal celebratory parties.  Although joining others for a NYE "event" is common for the younger generation. 

Religion

Some Appalachian communities have strong religious backgrounds, which could lead to a more conservative approach to celebrating holidays like New Year's Eve.  This reminds me of "Watch Night" at Church (aka Watch Service).  Our Church started at 7pm and lasted until after Midnight. There would be food, church service/ministry, communion, testimonials, singing, and more. 

Rural

Many parts of Appalachia are still rural and NYE usually has winter weather making travel a challenge.  Nesting at home vs venturing out to a large city celebration is often preferred. 

Food

An Appalachian New Year's Day meal almost always consists of pork (more modern is fish replacing pork), collard greens (with a dime inside the  bowl of greens for prosperity) or cabbage/sauerkraut, and black-eyed peas.

This is a popular Appalachian tradition believed to bring good luck, good health and prosperity in the new year.

It has never worked for me so I tend to have champagne, Spaghetti Aglio e Olio, and start binge watching something new for the new year.

Quirky Celebrations

* The John Campbell School shoots a pair of old boxer shorts out of a cannon.

*North Georgia has the Possum Drop 

* West Virginia has the Great Pepperoni Roll Drop

* Asheville has a board game party

Music

Enjoy Auld Lang Syne by Philip Bowen playing the fiddle. It doesn't get more Appalachian than this. 

What are your NYE Traditions?  

Drop a comment and share. I would love to see what others do around Appalachia and beyond. 

Happy New Year!

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