How should I preserve the historic letters of my great-great grandfather and how can I best share them with others?
A Biography? Hmmmm.
Initially I thought about writing a non-fiction book, a biography on my ancestor’s life. I pictured myself gathering data, creating a time-line, a family tree, and highlighting the exciting events. I would include the letters in their entirety so that my family, especially my children, could read them and appreciate the struggles their Irish ancestors faced while Immigrating to America. However, as I collected information and researched my great-great grandfather’s past, I knew non-fiction would not be the appropriate genre for me to express his life story.
But Wait!
No way, his life was much too extraordinary, and far too complex. He was only a teenage boy in southern Ireland at the time of the Great Potato Famine. He managed to escape by Immigrating to America without his parents. Miraculously he survived the poor living conditions on the six-week journey aboard a cargo ship, made it through rough New York City, and eventually ended up settling in West Springfield, Massachusetts. If that is not enough, he married his Irish love, fathered three children and volunteered for the Union Army.
This remarkable story cannot be made up; it’s how it happened.
Historical Fiction. Definitely.
I finally decided to try writing a historical fiction book because it seemed the best way to portray these remarkable people. My great-great grandfather’s letters are touching and honest, and I felt like I was getting to know his family members and close friends through the countless times I read them.
I wanted to depict his life as historically accurate as possible, so I spent a year retracing his steps from the battlefront in Virginia, to West Springfield, Massachusetts, to New York, and back to Ireland. I travelled to these locations so I could experience them in person and try to see through my ancestor’s eyes. Of course things have changed significantly and everything had modernized, but I developed a much deeper sense of his journey and the motivations behind his difficult life decisions. I could only imagine the culture shock he must have faced when entering New York City from his small village in Ireland, and of course, the fear he must have felt joining the front lines on the battlefield.
Of course I used my own imagination to fill in the blanks and add life and dialogue to the family and neighbors living around him. All of the events that happen in the book are based on his account in the letters; I just needed to add my thoughts to connect the dots in places where there were gaps. I worked diligently to find accurate historic information, but I didn’t want to feel compelled to find every detail because it is a work of fiction, and I took liberties to tell their story as I imagined it might have happened. This was the real joy in writing my great-great grandfather’s story.
I hope you enjoy Yours Faithfully, Florence Burke.
Kerry Morrison says
June 22, 2015 at 7:32 pmI am so intrigued by this story- I cannot wait to read the entire book, it lends itself so well to historical fiction which is one of my favorite genres!
ET says
June 22, 2015 at 9:26 pmWhat an incredible story – the Irish migration to the United States during the potato famine is family history for many millions of Americans today. It is truly wonderful to read historical fiction rooted in the primary sources of that time.
The opportunities and challenges faced by all immigrants, but particularly highlighted in this work about Irish-Americans in the 19th century, are seen today in the fabric of all institutions from government, law, and education to theater, literature, and music.
This book celebrates the sacrifices and achievements of Irish-Americans and weaves a mesmerizing tale, to boot!
Jessica Bunting says
June 22, 2015 at 9:52 pmI’m looking forward to reading this book. Being of Irish descent, I never get tired of reading this period of time.
Sharon Shechter says
June 23, 2015 at 3:09 pmThanks Ellen for conducting this research and providing us with a historical fiction book which summaries your findings . I am looking forward to read this book and learn more about this period in time.
Charli Mills says
June 23, 2015 at 7:56 pmI was thrilled to read your post because I made that same decision. Sometimes I have cousins asking me why not non-fiction? But like you, once I began connecting history to family members it was too rich of a tapestry and makes a great story with the gaps filled in from imagination. Your book is one I’d like to read and good to see a “genre” of sorts in this type of historical fiction based on the family tree.
Ellen Alden says
June 24, 2015 at 8:49 amThanks for your comment! Those of us with “active imaginations” cannot be restrained by a certain genre, sometimes it has to be a little of both; historical and fiction.
Sheryl Rose says
June 24, 2015 at 3:30 pmI am looking forward to reading your book Ellen. I know how much time you have put into this project. I find this time in history very interesting to read and learn about.
Ellen Alden says
June 24, 2015 at 3:42 pmThank you Sheryl. When the book comes into print I will certainly contact you!
Kate C says
June 25, 2015 at 3:49 pmAm experiencing a book drought at the moment but am confident your work is going to get me out of it!! Historical fiction is my favorite and the Irish theme…say no more!!! Let me know when I can get my hands on it
Ellen Alden says
June 27, 2015 at 1:53 pmThanks Kate! With settings in famine-stricken Ireland, aboard a cargo ship crossing the Atlantic, New York City in 1864,and Western Massachusetts, my book is sure to bring you our of your book drought! Thanks for the post.