You have done so much research for this project! I think that's an amazing accomplishment and I admire your dedication. In my own experience, when we start asking questions and digging for something we want to know, we can't help but find more than we bargained for. Don't be surprised by more surprises 😁
I couldn't have done this without her help. Barb Nelson has contributed in a variety of ways to my efforts. She has done a lot of genealogical work on the Kling side of our family. And created a cool family tree for me. Glad you found this interesting.
History is so fascinating! And a research assistant in the family as well! I'm enjoying your writing (and researching) so much. Thank you for sharing it!
You and I share a passion for history and for primary documents. Your history of the bookstores in Ithaca is a fascinating read for the primary source materials. Thanks for your enthusiasm for this material.
Thank you for the good questions. I’d be curious to hear opinions from the family members grandchildren or would it be great grandchildren+ today? About their thoughts on early education, harms and what are (if) better solutions today? I’ve learned in Minneapolis desegregation came at a cost that some whites folks might not consider. And wow that awesome sister! Lucky you Jill!
I am a lucky sister. And I was lucky to have had an excellent education. My experiences and associations to school are so overwhelmingly positive that I only now see how it might not be shared by everyone. Another assumption I brought inadvertently to the table.
Louie Goodin was Naymaypoke’s grandson. He was being raised by Tom Lightning as his mother Grace Naymaypoke died when Louie was a baby. Maggie Aas considered Louie her brother.
Thank you so much Janet Goodin! I was not certain of whether he was Naymaypoke's grandson. And thank you for confirming Grace Naymaypoke as his mother. Can you tell me how the name Goodin came about? Was this Louie's father? And have you ever heard of Mr. Begg before?
The Godins came from Trois Rivières in Quebec. Joseph Godin ended up in Kenora and piloted a ship on Lake of the Woods. He had quite a few children, one of whom was Philip Godin. Philip And Grace Naymaypoke were the parents of two children Louie and Carrie. Grace died young and Louie was raised by the Tom Lightning family. Louie was my husband’s father and his mother was Fanny Angeline Roy. Louie died in a truck accident in his 30s. Some of the family still spell their names Godin while ours somewhere along the way ended up Goodin
Thank you Janet. I hope to do more research on the boats and ships on Lake of the Woods and I enjoy knowing of Joseph Godin in Kenora as the grandfather of Louie Goodin. Grateful for your help.
It's fascinating to read and find out more about your research, Jill, and it feels as if it's happening 'in real time' as you discuss the obstacles and issues involved. You are also admirably honest about the assumptions that accompany every researcher, no matter how dedicated - we all need to challenge those within ourselves (I'm working on mine!). Thank you.
Thanks for reading and engaging with this material. Does research ever really end? I keep diving back into the pool of primary source materials to look at the past as I peel off my assumptions and get closer to the facts.
I learned about the Gale Family Library. I've been wanting to take a trip to the Minnesota Historical Library for a long time now. And this has piqued my interest again.
I think you already know that I am very intrigued with your research described in Memory, Time, History. I find it so useful for you to "publish" assumptions that you had at the onset that may not be holding up as you continue this research exploration. For me, the most significant assumption that you are challenging is this: "I assumed for local Indian children that public school education would be beneficial to them. I hadn’t thought about possible costs to their culture, language, and customs. Who benefited from Indian children learning English and gaining skills making them suitable for employment? What did it mean for the Kah-bay-kah-nong to have their children learn English, be schooled, and assimilate?" Qui bono. I also think of the deep physical and psychological damage to some of the children who were forced to change their dress, hairstyles, etc. and punished severely if they spoke their native tongue.
Thanks for your comments, Margaret, about sharing how my own understanding continues to change as I dig deeper into primary documents which challenges my assumptions. How history gets passed down fascinates me. Harm, damage, and trauma are only part of the story and it is a part which many of us descendants of immigrant homesteaders have a hard time hearing. What I find so compelling is the story of resilience and how much of their culture, language and customs remain with us today.
l am so impressed with the level of research you (and your sister) are doing here! It seems very valuable to me, and l can easily imagine sitting down to read a whole book on this topic. I also am pulled into the feeling of the magic of these historical records -- l have some that were passed down to me from my father and there's something about it, old letters, telegrams, etc. that just bring personalities and experiences of my ancestors to life for me. l feel like with your research and willingness to examine your assumptions you are bringing these people to life and giving them a chance to speak again. Thank you for that!
The historical documents are fascinating to look at -- the penmanship, the yellowed paper, the old photographs -- and they open windows to the past. Trying to let the facts speak to me and suspend judgment. Thanks for letting me know you find this valuable.
I can't wait for you to research and write more about this, Jill. Quite compelling. "Is it better to be in a situation where every student is treated badly or to live where only some students — those who are Indian — are treated badly?" Wow--that is quite the question. You must have a great sister to have helped you as she did. I'm sure there are more surprises to come in your research! As always, thank you for the interesting and educational read. Lots more to learn here
Stay tuned! I'm working on my next piece now. Trying to answer the question of whether Naymaypoke gave or sold the land to Warroad school. So grateful to Barb because I can spend the time poring over the documents instead of trying to read them there and figure out what pictures to take. I've got a gold mine of primary source material. Thanks for reading and engaging with this material.
You have done so much research for this project! I think that's an amazing accomplishment and I admire your dedication. In my own experience, when we start asking questions and digging for something we want to know, we can't help but find more than we bargained for. Don't be surprised by more surprises 😁
I am reeling already from what I'm finding in these primary documents. And more questions arise. Thanks for your feedback.
Interesting! Love how you pulled your sister in to the research :-)
I couldn't have done this without her help. Barb Nelson has contributed in a variety of ways to my efforts. She has done a lot of genealogical work on the Kling side of our family. And created a cool family tree for me. Glad you found this interesting.
History is so fascinating! And a research assistant in the family as well! I'm enjoying your writing (and researching) so much. Thank you for sharing it!
...and I should add my sister is highly overqualified research assistant!
You and I share a passion for history and for primary documents. Your history of the bookstores in Ithaca is a fascinating read for the primary source materials. Thanks for your enthusiasm for this material.
Fascinating detective work, Jill. Thank you for sharing this exploration, and all of your questions. Looking forward to the next installment.
Great to hear this material fascinates you as I am a bit possessed by this project. And it so rewarding to me because I keep learning.
Thank you for the good questions. I’d be curious to hear opinions from the family members grandchildren or would it be great grandchildren+ today? About their thoughts on early education, harms and what are (if) better solutions today? I’ve learned in Minneapolis desegregation came at a cost that some whites folks might not consider. And wow that awesome sister! Lucky you Jill!
I am a lucky sister. And I was lucky to have had an excellent education. My experiences and associations to school are so overwhelmingly positive that I only now see how it might not be shared by everyone. Another assumption I brought inadvertently to the table.
Right there with you on this learning curve.
Louie Goodin was Naymaypoke’s grandson. He was being raised by Tom Lightning as his mother Grace Naymaypoke died when Louie was a baby. Maggie Aas considered Louie her brother.
Thank you so much Janet Goodin! I was not certain of whether he was Naymaypoke's grandson. And thank you for confirming Grace Naymaypoke as his mother. Can you tell me how the name Goodin came about? Was this Louie's father? And have you ever heard of Mr. Begg before?
The Godins came from Trois Rivières in Quebec. Joseph Godin ended up in Kenora and piloted a ship on Lake of the Woods. He had quite a few children, one of whom was Philip Godin. Philip And Grace Naymaypoke were the parents of two children Louie and Carrie. Grace died young and Louie was raised by the Tom Lightning family. Louie was my husband’s father and his mother was Fanny Angeline Roy. Louie died in a truck accident in his 30s. Some of the family still spell their names Godin while ours somewhere along the way ended up Goodin
Thank you Janet. I hope to do more research on the boats and ships on Lake of the Woods and I enjoy knowing of Joseph Godin in Kenora as the grandfather of Louie Goodin. Grateful for your help.
It's fascinating to read and find out more about your research, Jill, and it feels as if it's happening 'in real time' as you discuss the obstacles and issues involved. You are also admirably honest about the assumptions that accompany every researcher, no matter how dedicated - we all need to challenge those within ourselves (I'm working on mine!). Thank you.
Thanks for reading and engaging with this material. Does research ever really end? I keep diving back into the pool of primary source materials to look at the past as I peel off my assumptions and get closer to the facts.
I learned about the Gale Family Library. I've been wanting to take a trip to the Minnesota Historical Library for a long time now. And this has piqued my interest again.
It's a beautiful building and if you get a chance, do go!
This is wonderful work Jill.
Thanks for reading! High praise from someone whose writing I truly admire.
I think you already know that I am very intrigued with your research described in Memory, Time, History. I find it so useful for you to "publish" assumptions that you had at the onset that may not be holding up as you continue this research exploration. For me, the most significant assumption that you are challenging is this: "I assumed for local Indian children that public school education would be beneficial to them. I hadn’t thought about possible costs to their culture, language, and customs. Who benefited from Indian children learning English and gaining skills making them suitable for employment? What did it mean for the Kah-bay-kah-nong to have their children learn English, be schooled, and assimilate?" Qui bono. I also think of the deep physical and psychological damage to some of the children who were forced to change their dress, hairstyles, etc. and punished severely if they spoke their native tongue.
Thanks for your comments, Margaret, about sharing how my own understanding continues to change as I dig deeper into primary documents which challenges my assumptions. How history gets passed down fascinates me. Harm, damage, and trauma are only part of the story and it is a part which many of us descendants of immigrant homesteaders have a hard time hearing. What I find so compelling is the story of resilience and how much of their culture, language and customs remain with us today.
l am so impressed with the level of research you (and your sister) are doing here! It seems very valuable to me, and l can easily imagine sitting down to read a whole book on this topic. I also am pulled into the feeling of the magic of these historical records -- l have some that were passed down to me from my father and there's something about it, old letters, telegrams, etc. that just bring personalities and experiences of my ancestors to life for me. l feel like with your research and willingness to examine your assumptions you are bringing these people to life and giving them a chance to speak again. Thank you for that!
The historical documents are fascinating to look at -- the penmanship, the yellowed paper, the old photographs -- and they open windows to the past. Trying to let the facts speak to me and suspend judgment. Thanks for letting me know you find this valuable.
I can't wait for you to research and write more about this, Jill. Quite compelling. "Is it better to be in a situation where every student is treated badly or to live where only some students — those who are Indian — are treated badly?" Wow--that is quite the question. You must have a great sister to have helped you as she did. I'm sure there are more surprises to come in your research! As always, thank you for the interesting and educational read. Lots more to learn here
Stay tuned! I'm working on my next piece now. Trying to answer the question of whether Naymaypoke gave or sold the land to Warroad school. So grateful to Barb because I can spend the time poring over the documents instead of trying to read them there and figure out what pictures to take. I've got a gold mine of primary source material. Thanks for reading and engaging with this material.