Jann Freed, another of Central Iowa’s talented bloggers, caught my attention recently with her post about the film, The Bucket List. In the film, two dying friends – played by Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman – work their way through a list of things they want to do before they die.
Thinking about that concept, I recalled another Nicholson film, Terms of Endearment. In that movie, the character played by Debra Winger uttered a quote occasionally repeated in my family: “People come from all over the world just to get one look at Des Moines before they die.”
Tweaking that premise a bit, I wondered: Where are three places in my own family history that I’d like to visit?
In no particular order, they are:
Bourbon County, Kentucky. In his will, my paternal 5th great grandfather, Alexander Breckenridge, mentioned a mansion house, plantation and slaves. Only recently, I learned that his land later became Claiborne Farm, noted for thoroughbred champions Secretariat, Bold Ruler and many more.
Aero, Denmark. My maternal grandparents were raised on this picturesque, tiny Danish island before emigrating to America as newlyweds in 1920.
Smithville, Missouri. Just north of Kansas City, this is where my grandmother, her sisters and many other relatives called home.
What’s on your list?
Larry Lehmer is a personal historian who helps people preserve their family histories. To learn more, visit his web site or send him an e-mail.
Cobbled streets of Aero, Denmark, courtesy of Hold my beer, eh.
Larry,
Thank you for this great article and idea. I've commented on this and added my own bucket list over at Cow Hampshire.
Posted by: Janice Brown | March 09, 2008 at 09:20 PM
Larry - on my list are: Bedfordshire England, home of the Bardrick side of my maternal family... Parkers Cross Roads, TN, where my great-great grandfather was wounded in the Civil War... and Summerfield, KS, where one of my Bardricks are buried despite there being a marker for her in Adair County. ~ Janet
Posted by: Janet | March 10, 2008 at 09:47 AM
Great idea - I saw this through Cow Hampshire, and am going to do this on my blog. Will link to you, of course!
Posted by: Lidian | March 10, 2008 at 01:29 PM
I posted my list at http://familyhistorian.blogspot.com/2008/03/bucket-list-meme.html
Posted by: Lori Thornton | March 10, 2008 at 06:24 PM
Janice: Thanks for spreading the word. I had no idea I was starting a meme.
Janet: I have ancestors from England and Tennessee, too, and I believe a few may have landed in Kansas as well. Good list.
Lidian: I look forward to your own list.
Lori: Your list sounds sooo picturesque - a vacation just waiting to happen!
Posted by: Larry Lehmer | March 10, 2008 at 06:33 PM