I recently discovered a new little hobby to incorporate my 2 favs, reading and writing. I signed up to be a “Citizen Archivist” with the National Archives ( https://www.archives.gov/citizen-archivist/missions )
I have been transcribing Revolutionary War pension papers and it is such an interesting fun peek into the past. Everything is written in cursive, which is why they need us Gen Xers who know how to “decode” the written word. It also helps to have a teacher’s eye as each document’s scriber has a slightly different distinct way of making letters )and boy, did they get fancy with the pen and ink.) I can get lost for hours sifting through the endless amount of documents for even just one soldier as I transcribe their official papers. By the time I finish just one soldier’s documents, I feel like a part of something special. Perhaps listening to the Hamilton soundtrack while transcribing brings it to life or just being able to get a glimpse into the past is extraordinary in itself.
Delving into the past has been a fun way to spend a few hours of free time and getting to know each of their stories has been an honor.
~jb~
“Learn the past, watch the present, and create the future.”
-Jess Conrad
JJ BRETT 