I just want to say your research And story telling skills are phenomenal. My opinion is if you can find a direct descendant of her through her children to try to return it to the family and let them make the decision of where it goes after that
You could put the pendant and the genealogy in the Smithsonian. That way everyone of her descendants can have access to it. That way neither side of her family gets upset because you have it to the other side.
I also loved your video today. I always like the others but this one was more personal. I have one question about the sites that you detect. Could any of the sites you detect be remains of houses that were raised/burnt down by the local Indian tribes ? It was just a thought.
Brad, of all the vlogs you have lovingly crafted, this one has got to be among the finest. Your concern for the current landowners and the gorgeous artwork and genealogical work should be recognized by RUclips. Simply breathtaking!!!
I surely agree, this blog was so very interesting & poignant, with the story of Anna, one of the finest historical storylines of your findings! I’m from Michigan, after living there near her travels for 61 years, it touched a heart string of mine. Thank you for researching her life & ancestry, which I personally found so lovely.
They say you die twice, once when the burry you in the ground, and the second time is the last time that somebody mentions your name. Anna is now alive in our minds and hearts! Amazing story!!
I have said the same thing, you are alive only as long as the people who new you remember you, having just lost my wife and brother in the same year it is ever in my consciousness.
This transcends any metal detecting video I've ever seen by a huge degree. And to think Anna's story would never have been known or told but not for Brad finding that pendant made it all the more fascinating. Not gonna lie, I got a bit emotional listening to the story. Yeah, this was something special well worth waiting for. Brad should add Historical videos to his resume.
I agree hearing her story brought tears to my old eyes ! To hear Anna's story was not only amazing but very moving ! Her and her pendant couldn't have been lost to time never to be told ! Many years later Brad finds the pendant and researches her story and pendant giving her life some meaning that very few others from that time period will have alone and forgotten ! But thanks to Brad , Anna and her pendant now lives again in our minds and hearts !
As a genealogist for 35 years, and also a fellow coil swinger and amateur prospector, this story is a masterpiece. I believe you should give the medallion and your research on her to the local historical society where she was born. I have done this with several artifacts and documents over the years and they have been well received and much enjoyed. Keep up your great work while you still have youth and energy in your favor. Thank you for caring about the past, and for the natural wonders we still can enjoy.
Another location that might be a good place to display the medallion and Anna’s story would be the builder her father designed and was in the process of building when he died...
My life history is similar to yours and I agree. A local historical society either where she was born or where the medallion was found would appreciate this especially with the research already done for them. I pass on documents I acquire too
Although she was probably sad at the time, loosing her pendant brought her back to our presence. How many people lived their whole lives without any proof they were ever here? Awesome story!
Hi Brad. Wow that was an absolutely amazing video and I loved every minute of it. What a beautiful pendant and it totally brought Anna back to life. What a special find. You were surely meant to find it at exactly the right time to tell her story. Your channel was just recommended to me by one of your viewers and Im delighted that he did! Thanks for the time you took to make this. My thought is that it could go to a local museum and be displayed alongside her story - but for the time being you are the best guardian for it. Nicola
I agree with you about Brad being the guardian of Anna's pendant until sometime or somewhere ! That the pendant is to be given it's new home along with the story about it ! Maybe by talking to descendants Brad could fill in the open spaces in Anna's story ! If I could help Brad in anyway I would !
Awesome video and story, Brad ! I've been following you for quite some time and love your adventures. I've been doing genealogy for almost 50 years now, and metal detecting only 3, but I recognize a great find when I see one. Secondly, to be praised by Nicola White, whom I also follow for her adventures and story telling, is high praise indeed. Keep up the good work !
I suggest putting the pendent in a local museum where everyone ( including you) can view the pendant and see the work you've put into telling this story. Plus then ANY of Anna's descendants would be able to view the story, pendant, and your research into their family history. Great job tracking all the information down, and crafting an amazingly detailed account of uncovering both the pendant and it's owners past. I would also agree this is the best VLOG you've put out, and arguably one of your best videos to date. I always look forward to Friday mornings, IMHO you put out the best, total package, with your videos, cinematography, artwork, research, and music. Top notch, man.
I agree with putting the pendent in a museum. The story would be there for all to know, whereas if the pendent goes back to the family - it could very well be lost to the public. Wonderfully presented - fantastic job!
This is exactly what I told my wife after seeing this. Change the ending where you ask for comments on what to do and put the pendant on display with a button to hear the story. You are one talented.
I have as a refuse collector found things such as military medals, documents, and jewelry but my greatest find was a family Bible belonging to the Thompson family which in the case with the pendant has many relatives or decendants. One must realize that it was one of their decendants whom threw away these treasures and so I donated it the Bible to the local museum with all its contents for all the family to come see if they so choose. That way there is no fighting over it and the ones whom care about it can see it and possibly share it with their children I. The future. Great work. Hats off to you for the diligent research.
Absolutely amazing. Being a father to only one girl, I can imagine the joy her father must have felt while give such a beautiful pendant to his only daughter. You had me captivated the entire time. Great job Brad!
I watch this video frequently. Its impossible to put into words how amazing this story is. Almost brings tears to my eyes seeing you breath life back into a long lost name. History is fascinating and it is crazy how many life stories are lost with time! Fantastic job Brad, keep up the great work. All the best - Lucas
Top shelf Brad ! You have created a masterpiece of a story from a historical treasure- it was truly moving and a beautiful tribute to our ancestors and to Anna ! Thank you!
I agree with you Bobby. I had a very similar experience with an artifact that I had found. With as many members of this woman's family tree, It is impossible to rightly give it to any single one of them. Maintain ownership of the artifact for yourself and LOAN it to a museum, the terms of which you can set. Avoid local historical societies. Sorry to say, artifacts such as these sometimes get "lost" over time.
I agree Brad should be the keeper, he's the one who brought her story and pendant to life, for all of us to know of a woman who had came and went before are time. I think the family should know of this video.
Local Museum in Michigan seems most appropriate. All of her descendants can travel to see her grave, and the pendant there. It is where her story, beautifully told, ended.
Washtenaw County was a pretty early area of settmement in Michigan. It is the home of the University of Michigan which was founded in 1817. Michigan didn t become a state until 1837. U of M is the home of a number of museums and noteable collections. Amongst them is the Bentley Library and repository of an enormous collection of historical documents and items. It is a primary source for research into the history of Michigan, the local area as well as the nation and the world! It is where I would suggest that you offer your research, your video and the pendant. It would be preserved and cared for forever. An alternative option might be the State of Michigan s Historical Commission. However, in my experience, they might prefer that you simply notify them of what you have and tell them what you do with it. You can probably expect it to show up in a program the next time they hold a conference in Ann Arbor. There is a Washtenaw County Historical Society who run a smaller museum. I don t know that they are in a position to preserve your work forever. They operate out of an old house.
@@karencrawford4068 That was good info, and very interesting. Many local historical societies operate out of old houses and have for decades, often houses with some local history. Any responsible society would pass on their treassures responsibly if they have to shut down.
I think the pendant and both videos (finding the pendant & the story of Anna) should be in a museum in the area. Very educational for future generations & deserving of such honor. Thank you, Brad.
Hi Brad, I was directed here by Nicola White to hear this incredible story. Thank you for doing all the research and not just throwing the pendant in a drawer. I feel that, to avoid a family feud, it should be in a museum along with Anna's story so it can be seen and appreciated by many people. Thank you again x
No need to thank us for watching but there is a need for us to thank you. This is a fantastic story. It must have taken a ton of time to research. You have taken something from the ground and brought an entire family back to life. Their family should make you an honorary member. You did a great job and this needs to be on WGBH as a special. Thanks!!!
You have totally blown me away. The story of Anna, your research, the pendant and how you dedicated yourself in finding out who Anna was. Thank You 😊😊😊
Great research, great editing, and great story telling! I have a similar story to tell, when our family were out antiquing and came upon a late 19th century bottle of silver polish. With a background in genealogy, I was able to discover the history and current heir to that bottle. Unlike your quest, with hundreds of descendants, mine was the only son of the only son of the only son of the creator of that product. And sharing my research of his family with him filled in an entirely blank canvas, as he was raised completely estranged from his forefathers. I have no idea why I was initially drawn to that item, nor what motivated me to discover it's lineage - never before, nor since, has that happened. Thank you so much for sharing this story of Anna ... very compelling!
Why did I get the chills watching this? Lol I guess I just love the history you don't normally hear about. The history of the "common" people. I absolutely loved this and I think you should make more videos like this one.
I just can't get my head around how it is possible to gain all that information about Annas story. It must have been a massive task. Thanks for the journey...
It's amazing that starting from just a pendant, you were able to find out so much about this woman. You were able to tell us of the life of Anna Lenard, her family, and the unique circumstance that likely lead to her pendant being lost in the Vermont woods. This was a amazing video and thank you for sharing this story with us.
As a historian and genealogist. I feel it should go to a museum that shares the story of the building her dad was working on when she got the pendant, or the Massachusetts State Museum or the Smithsonian. Great job on the research and the presentation was amazing.
I knew there was a reason I got up at 4:30 am this morning, outside of the fact that my eyes just popped open. This is the day of Anna's Story. Excellent story and narration. Always interesting to look back at family history. And, boy-o-boy, that's going to be a tough decision on what to do with that pendant. If there is a museum where she lived and died, I would see about having it placed there. With so many family members it is the safest bet to avoid in-fighting over who should get it. I bet you get a lot of inquiries from them about getting that from you once this hits the airways. Yep, tough decision.
I really enjoyed this story, having just watched the episode in which you found Anna’s pendant. Given her numerous descendants, it should probably be donated to a historical society, where any of Anna’s descendants who are interested - and anyone else - can view it. Or keep it in your own private collection. Your extensive research on the family is gift enough to interested descendants.
This story and the pendent should go to a museum showing possible loss and the finding of Anna’s pendant. Your story was well crafted and beautifully told .
Seems like the best possible option. The museum exhibit should include Brad's video so that visitors could watch it as they learn about the background of the pendent. Perhaps others will become interested in Anna's story and add new information. Great job Brad!
All I can say is wow what a story you documented the whole life of several people gave us an insight into Anna's past and her family all I can say is thank you and with this story you have kept Anna's memory alive
I think it should be in a museum along with the research you did to tell the story of one of our amazing Americans. The story would make a great documentary or movie.
I think the family will want you to keep the pendant. They wouldn't know that it even existed if it wasn't for you. They see the story and I'm sure they appreciate all the research you have done. This is the best part of metal detecting, knowing the history behind the artifact.
This was incredible! Very well done. I’ve tried researching my own family tree and have run in to so many dead ends. The work you put into bringing a complete stranger’s history to life is just amazing. Your narrative and imagery were very captivating. Thank you for this 😊
Brad, This is what makes your channel stand out! Interesting content, music, showing trees, flowers, and other things on your travels, not merely digging for treasures. Plus getting to see your friends and family make you more personable. Thank you. We really enjoy it all.
I vote a museum. That way we can all share in her story. That went way deeper than I first anticipated when I opened this video. Incredible story. Thank you so much for sharing. 💜💜💜
Can you just imagine when she realized that pendant was lost?? No doubt something her father or a brother had purchased for her in Boston?? She no doubt travelled to Vermont and then with her Aunt to Michigan. God bless her ❤️
Amazing story, beautifully researched and told! I hope the pendant goes to a museum where many people can enjoy seeing it. Giving it to a relative will just put the pendant into hiding.
Great research! From an emotional perspective, my first thought was family. But, thinking a bit I believe donating along with your research to a museum near her family home at the time she was given the pendant.
Brad, this story was very touching. I salute you for all your hard research. I am a family researcher and was once gifted with a package of personal items from a stranger. He had the same surname as myself although we are not related. The materials came into his possession by accident and he had kept them researching the names of the people until he had discovered my name. His kindness has meant much to me as I discovered the story of my great great grandfather’s brother. I would say, if possible, find a direct descendant of Anna’s children to give the pendant to. If this is not possible, or they have no interest in the pendant, I think you are deserving of the object for keeping her memory alive. You re-discovered the object in the area (it would seem) she must have lost it. And you have made her live once more!
Perhaps a copy of the video rather than the medallion, how do you pick one descendant out of possibly hundreds? A museum or historical society would keep Anna and her families story alive much longer and for a far greater number of people!
Brad, this was amazing. You should write a screenplay about Anna's story. It reminded me of the movie Titanic where the story is tied to a sapphire necklace but this has an intriguing mystery attached to it. It illustrates how lives and memories are really never lost but waiting for someone, thoughtful and sincere like yourself, to rediscover and illuminate them.
Finding the pendant is very Proustian. I have this passage from Proust's Remembrance From Things Past framed in my library. “But when from a long-distant past nothing subsists, after the people are dead, after the things are broken and scattered, taste and smell alone, more fragile but more enduring, more unsubstantial, more persistent, more faithful, remain poised a long time, like souls, remembering, waiting, hoping, amid the ruins of all the rest; and bear unflinchingly, in the tiny and almost impalpable drop of their essence, the vast structure of recollection.”
That's a hard call, maybe have it displayed in a museum in the area where Anna lived her final years and let both of the families know where it is so both can share .
I am very impressed by this story. I can see you have spent countless hours in research on the Leonard family and Anna Adams Leonard. It is a living history and testament of her and her family. You not only found a lost pendant, you found her family and maybe, a living relative of hers someday to pass on the legacy. More than just trying to make content Brad, you put in the context surrounding it to give it Life, meaning, and purpose. We are all richer in our origins, purpose, and family connection to God as we continue to sift through the clues in the earth given to us with context to know who He is. Keep up this awesome work. 😊
Brad, you are amazing! You went rom a dirt encrusted pendant to an entire genealogy. You found her family, their arrival in colonial America, their participation in two wars, Anna's husband and children....WOW. The time and effort you put into this is remarkable, and the end result is fabulous. What a wonderful story, wonderfully told. Thank you!
Wow! Very interesting. You did a great job. I can’t help but imagine how terrible she felt the day she realized she lost her silver pendant. I think about how much it would mean to her decedents.
What an incredible story you told of Anna and her family!! I think you did the family great justice by putting together this video and research of her families history. My personal opinion that piece should be put on display at the local Historical Society and all the documentations you have come up, put with it so people can understand the true story of Anna and her family. It's a win win for you, the land owner, and all the naysayers (you know there some out there) to display it properly. Thank You for taking the time to put this together and all the research you put in.
Like your videos. Used to metal detect as a hobby and even had the fortunate opportunity to salvage dive for treasure for Mel Fischer in the Florida straights (Atocha, 1622 Spanish galleon wreck), Fla's east coast Plate fleet, 1715 wrecks etc... History has always fascinated me and liked finding artifacts of all kinds. Your videos entail the thrill of the hunt. Treasure of all kinds is where ya find it. Your research homework is intriguing! Bringing a personal touch to a personal find. Well done, sir! Like Mel Fischer used to say, "Today's the Day". 😊
This was the best story that I ever heard regarding a metal detecting find. You are amazing and such an asset to this hobby. I’ve been detecting 40+ years and have never been connected to a find like the one you found. Thank you for this story.
If there is a historical society where the cemetery is located you might contact them and maybe they can help you decide what should be done with the medallion. Brad, very well done story of a families life. You should be very proud of how you presented it. I predict you will become a well known historian if you choose to take that path.Your style reminded me immediately of Ken Burns. Well done! Thank you and stay safe.
This is by far one of the best videos you've done. Love watching you dig up history, its even better when there is story that can be told. The pendant should go to a museum and this video played beside it. Awsome job 👍👍👍. Let us know the final decision.
I just watched this today. My great grandmother’s name was Veva Margaret Leonard, so this grabbed my attention. I had heard that at least one of our descendants came over on the Mayflower. I asked my mom, who’s into genealogy, to send me a link to our family tree. The man in our family who came over was named Soloman Leonard. He had a son named John, but I doubt it’s the same John Leonard. I just found your channel last night and I’ve been binge watching. I was excited to see this video after seeing your discovery of this the night prior. Thanks for the wild ride. I’ve been wanting to do this for years. I think I caught the bug. Haha
This is one of the most extraordinary videos I've seen. The dedication and live put into the research is simply out of this world. I think you should give that to a local museum, on the condition that the story be made part of the exhibit. I congratulate you for such a beautiful work and great video.
Great video. I like the idea of donating the pendant to a Michigan history museum where it can be displayed with your video. And then letting descendants know where it is and how you found it so they can learn about this recovered history.
Brad , I. have been following you for over a year now. This is a very heartwarming and interesting story of Anna. I’d be pleased to see more like it in the future if possible. Congratulations on superb job. If they were awards given out for RUclips videos this one would have won an Oscar. Again , Well Done!
Wow, wonderful I was in tears. So glad you were able to trace Anna. I have been working on my family tree for over 20 years and don't think I ever have gotten so far. Thanks for keeping history alive.
This was awesome. It would probably blow her away, if she could read it! It's amazing what stories lie waiting for a person to find. A museum where all of her family would have access to view it!
This story deserves to be told to a wide audience. A museum in Michigan dedicated to the history of the state would be a good choice. All of Anna’s many descendants would be able to see her story!
I'd love it see it go to the current first daughter. From Anna's first daughter, to their first daughter, and so on. What a wonderful heirloom to pass from 1st daughter's through time. :)
I just sat and shook my head through the whole video. I make videos of some of my better hunts. I do hundreds of hours of research to find good spots to hunt. Then if it pans out, I do a video of a pretty good hunt. Then edit the video for hours sometimes to create a video. NOTHING I have ever done comes close to the quality of your videos. The research you did on this pendant is AMAZING! But the editing and narration were even more impressive! I bow to the master! My vote for where it should go is a museum. I once found a GW button. It is now in a George Washington Museum in New York City. If it goes to a family member, it will be hidden in a closet somewhere. It should be displayed for thousands to see!
This is why I metal detect. I find items and wonder about who last held the item. I imagine what they were doing when it was lost. You wish the item could tell a story. You are lucky in that you have a item that actually can tell you that story. Great video and already one of my favorites on you tube.
Awesome find, great research and ordinary life revealed. This pendant should stay in your possession as you are the most involved nowadays and the only person for whom this pendant means something. 200 years after it was lost, none of her descendants can have a better claim than yourself. You might even be related to Anna through one of the numerous children born since her ancestor set foot in America... Thank you for sharing this story with us.
I agree Brad has lovingly put this all together and researched it. Only if the nearest family members were to contact you it should stay with you. Anna chose you to fine it and research her life and let it be known. You are awesome God Bless You
As a fellow metal hunter, I’m astounded by the amount of work you put into this video. Those of us that appreciate the history of the objects we find are a rare breed. My suggestion: Take the pendant to Anna’s grave. Lay it on her headstone and let her know you found it and wanted to return it to her. Ask her permission to take it and to continue to tell her story through a museum. I believe Anna should be reunited with the pendant just long enough for her to know it was found and will be placed somewhere safe for others to know her history. Once again, great job.
That was truly a Beautiful Historical Documentary. I hope her family saw it and was sincerely touched by the time and thoughtfulness that went in to finding Anna. I was.
There is no monetary value for the adventure this pendant has taken you on through time… I feel as though you would appreciate it more than anyone maybe, so keeping it for yourself is probably best. Can’t help but feel like you meant to find it and tell this amazing story, for that thank you!!!
That was awesome!! I often ponder how certain objects get places. You did a masterful job of recounting her life. In most families there are people who care about their family history and those who don't. I would say, if possible, locate the a family member who does care, who has put together the history and who knows exactly who Anna was. Great video.
That brought tears to my eyes. You did a wonderful job telling Anna's story. In my opinion, the tag, and your story, along with some of other artifacts should reside in a museum or historical society display, near the property, nearest town, or city. Bravo sir. Fine work. You've earned my subscription for sure.
This kind of thing is exactly why I metal detect. Finding those items that have a personal connection is priceless, and this one is about as priceless as it can get. This thing is a national treasure. Congratulations.
As a history teacher and researcher, this is great work. I love that you didnt state all evidence as 100% fact, but prefaced it with “it can be postulated”. Love it.
This was one of the most touching stories i have ever heard. I wonder how Anna felt after losing her pendant. What a wonderfully researched tale. This made my day. You are the tops!
If you know where Anna's grave site is then I think it should be with whole hearted kindness to reunite her with her lost pendant. This is one of your best pieces to date!
A museum with a bit of her story would be nice. Giving it to family would also be a nice gesture, but it would probably just end up in a jewelry box in a drawer rarely to be seen again. Great find, and impressive research by you! Thanks for sharing the story.
By far one of the best metal detecting videos I have ever seen! Absolutely blown away! So emotional and so speechless!! Hats off to your research and detailed information on her back story 👏🏽
Wow! Finding Anna’s pendant is amazing but how you researched her life’s story and then presented it with such dignity and grace is beyond incredible. I loved it. Thank you.
Excellent work in telling this fascinating story. I was blown away when you mentioned Dexter. I live minutes away from downtown and frequently bike past and stroll through the original cemetery in the village. It's a beautiful and peaceful place. So much history there. This weekend I'll try to locate any Epley family members and share photos if I can.
Please do! I was thinking that someone should do that. I am not all that far away but am not mobile at the moment! I look forward to your report. It s a nice exercise on the first spring days that are now due.
Brad, IMO the pendant is a family heirloom and it should go to the surviving descendants that came from her womb. BRAVO, hands down the BEST EVER metal detecting related story ever told !
Awesome job Brad! I wish I could give ya more 👍. Anna must have been so upset when she realized she lost that pendent. But now I'm sure she is happy she did. Beautiful tribute to a founding family. Thanks for taking us along...
THIS is the very reason I love metal detecting. It is not for the monetary value of the find....but the HISTORY behind it, that sends my heart racing and my imagination into the past. I, too, do genealogy. So when I find something traceable....I doggedly pursue the history and the facts behind the piece. Often, I return the piece to a descendant of the person. Other times, I consider a history center. If neither of those pan out, I hold it near and dear to me, and think often about the person who cherished the piece and I tell my grandchildren the stories I have learned about the lives that have come before us. This history you revealed, is exactly just that way. It has all the wonder and imagination and facts that brought a woman and her entire family, from the past into the present. Because of that, we ALL have come to get a glimpse of Miss Anna Leonard and her life. Well done. Proud to know you. Proud to pass this video on to others who share the joy of history and of the find.
Fantastic piece of history. Very few family members probably will never even appreciate it nowadays hopefully you find one that will and if not keep it for yourself and cherish it 👍🏼🇺🇸🦅
I think that approaching her closest descendants and talking with them would be a positive move and maybe they or everyone as a group can decide where this remarkable piece of history should reside. Like many things that are unearthed the monetary value is negligible but the historical and personal value is priceless.
They're averaging 10+ children per generation, and maybe 8 generations to today, so there could be as many as 10^7[?] descendants. Even if you account for untimely death/disease/low birthrate/war/contraception, there are still potentially tens of thousands of "close" descendants. From my own great grandmother, who was one of seven siblings, there are over 100 descendants alive today, and that's in only 5 generations across 100 years.
Brad, this story and discovery are amazing. Thank you. My roommate is a civil war historian, and she has done the same extensive searches for the Pennsylvania regiment. I honor you for your depth of study. That and your dedication is heartwarming. Take care, my friend.
Brad.....that is one awesome story...! With all the details...it reminded me of my own Family Ancestry, we were the Pioneering Parmenter's. And yes, there is an organization by that name, searchable, that keeps all the Family members informed. Hailing from France in 1400's, our Sir name was Parmentier (french). In the early 1500's they moved from France to England, they dropped the "i" on our Sir name to make it English (Parmenter). They hung out at Hedingham Castle, Essex County, England. There's word of several events at the Castle, Christenings, Marriages, Funerals, Baptisms, etc... Some years ago (tours still given today) parts of the Castle caught Fire and burned. Around 1539 a bunch of them packed up, got on a ship and sailed to Massachusetts, they settled in "Sudbury, Mass." They were: Tailors, Glover's, Inn & Tavern Keepers, Farmers, Rum Runners, and one was a well known Horse thief..! Many of the Families gave birth to 16 to 20 children..! That always fascinated me, because in those times, how could they afford to raise so many children. The Farmers said with all the kids, they didn't have to hire any help at harvest time. (I'm making a long story short here..!) The Horse Thief got caught and was sentenced to jail in Boston, MA. but the jails were all full, they put him on another Ship that took his little butt to Australia... where he served his time, got out and married a woman there, lived happily ever after, yeah right..! From Massachusetts we spread out across the USA in all directions, I even met one of my great Uncles here in NM when I moved here in 1990..! As for the "Pendant" let the Family Members decide...? =)
Hey Folks, I hope you enjoyed today's video. The pendant's original discovery can be viewed here: ruclips.net/video/KJRR14CCslU/видео.html
I just want to say your research And story telling skills are phenomenal. My opinion is if you can find a direct descendant of her through her children to try to return it to the family and let them make the decision of where it goes after that
Best video you have ever done in my humble opinion thanks for running this down!
You could put the pendant and the genealogy in the Smithsonian. That way everyone of her descendants can have access to it. That way neither side of her family gets upset because you have it to the other side.
I also loved your video today. I always like the others but this one was more personal.
I have one question about the sites that you detect. Could any of the sites you detect be remains of houses that were raised/burnt down by the local Indian tribes ? It was just a thought.
Maybe related to the Leonard brothers that where General Washington's bodyguards.
As a genealogist, I'm impressed with your research but as a viewer, I'm awed at your presentation. Well done, sir.
Brad, of all the vlogs you have lovingly crafted, this one has got to be among the finest. Your concern for the current landowners and the gorgeous artwork and genealogical work should be recognized by RUclips. Simply breathtaking!!!
I surely agree, this blog was so very interesting & poignant, with the story of Anna, one of the finest historical storylines of your findings! I’m from Michigan, after living there near her travels for 61 years, it touched a heart string of mine. Thank you for researching her life & ancestry, which I personally found so lovely.
I cannot decide which is more astounding. The story of Anna, or the work you put into researching the story.
There's a lot of assumptions between the lines. Family History is difficult to figure out sometimes. But there has to be living family.
Indeed!! :)
Or the fact it only has 99k views !!
They say you die twice, once when the burry you in the ground, and the second time is the last time that somebody mentions your name. Anna is now alive in our minds and hearts! Amazing story!!
I have never heard that before. It is a very poignant sentiment.
I have said the same thing, you are alive only as long as the people who new you remember you, having just lost my wife and brother in the same year it is ever in my consciousness.
You've done Anna's memory justice Brad. This is one of the greatest metal detecting journeys ever.
This transcends any metal detecting video I've ever seen by a huge degree. And to think Anna's story would never have been known or told but not for Brad finding that pendant made it all the more fascinating. Not gonna lie, I got a bit emotional listening to the story. Yeah, this was something special well worth waiting for. Brad should add Historical videos to his resume.
Yes he does. He is a very talented man. I hope he puts out more videos like this one. Enjoyed the story very much!!!
I agree hearing her story brought tears to my old eyes ! To hear Anna's story was not only amazing but very moving ! Her and her pendant couldn't have been lost to time never to be told ! Many years later Brad finds the pendant and researches her story and pendant giving her life some meaning that very few others from that time period will have alone and forgotten ! But thanks to Brad , Anna and her pendant now lives again in our minds and hearts !
It proves, one man can make a difference in so many lives
As a genealogist for 35 years, and also a fellow coil swinger and amateur prospector, this story is a masterpiece. I believe you should give the medallion and your research on her to the local historical society where she was born. I have done this with several artifacts and documents over the years and they have been well received and much enjoyed. Keep up your great work while you still have youth and energy in your favor. Thank you for caring about the past, and for the natural wonders we still can enjoy.
Another location that might be a good place to display the medallion and Anna’s story would be the builder her father designed and was in the process of building when he died...
My life history is similar to yours and I agree. A local historical society either where she was born or where the medallion was found would appreciate this especially with the research already done for them. I pass on documents I acquire too
100% Agree that would be perfect..
Although she was probably sad at the time, loosing her pendant brought her back to our presence.
How many people lived their whole lives without any proof they were ever here? Awesome story!
She and her family would be pleased by the manner in which you honored their lives and heritage.
this is my family and we're overexcited at this discovery!
Hi Brad. Wow that was an absolutely amazing video and I loved every minute of it. What a beautiful pendant and it totally brought Anna back to life. What a special find. You were surely meant to find it at exactly the right time to tell her story. Your channel was just recommended to me by one of your viewers and Im delighted that he did! Thanks for the time you took to make this. My thought is that it could go to a local museum and be displayed alongside her story - but for the time being you are the best guardian for it. Nicola
Glad you made it here :-)
I agree with you about Brad being the guardian of Anna's pendant until sometime or somewhere ! That the pendant is to be given it's new home along with the story about it ! Maybe by talking to descendants Brad could fill in the open spaces in Anna's story ! If I could help Brad in anyway I would !
Awesome video and story, Brad ! I've been following you for quite some time and love your adventures. I've been doing genealogy for almost 50 years now, and metal detecting only 3, but I recognize a great find when I see one. Secondly, to be praised by Nicola White, whom I also follow for her adventures and story telling, is high praise indeed. Keep up the good work !
Oh, you're going to *love* this channel! You two are on my list of much-watches, and it's so nice to see this. :)
I followed your recommendation Nicola & after watching am delighted in the research done. Now off to subscribe.
I suggest putting the pendent in a local museum where everyone ( including you) can view the pendant and see the work you've put into telling this story. Plus then ANY of Anna's descendants would be able to view the story, pendant, and your research into their family history. Great job tracking all the information down, and crafting an amazingly detailed account of uncovering both the pendant and it's owners past. I would also agree this is the best VLOG you've put out, and arguably one of your best videos to date. I always look forward to Friday mornings, IMHO you put out the best, total package, with your videos, cinematography, artwork, research, and music. Top notch, man.
I agree.
School children could also learn about how America was opened up by the pioneers and their descendants aided by her family tree.
Yes
I agree with putting the pendent in a museum. The story would be there for all to know, whereas if the pendent goes back to the family - it could very well be lost to the public. Wonderfully presented - fantastic job!
This is exactly what I told my wife after seeing this. Change the ending where you ask for comments on what to do and put the pendant on display with a button to hear the story. You are one talented.
I have as a refuse collector found things such as military medals, documents, and jewelry but my greatest find was a family Bible belonging to the Thompson family which in the case with the pendant has many relatives or decendants. One must realize that it was one of their decendants whom threw away these treasures and so I donated it the Bible to the local museum with all its contents for all the family to come see if they so choose. That way there is no fighting over it and the ones whom care about it can see it and possibly share it with their children I. The future. Great work. Hats off to you for the diligent research.
It's a similar case with personal items from titanic that they have been recovering.
Absolutely amazing. Being a father to only one girl, I can imagine the joy her father must have felt while give such a beautiful pendant to his only daughter. You had me captivated the entire time. Great job Brad!
I watch this video frequently. Its impossible to put into words how amazing this story is. Almost brings tears to my eyes seeing you breath life back into a long lost name. History is fascinating and it is crazy how many life stories are lost with time! Fantastic job Brad, keep up the great work. All the best - Lucas
Top shelf Brad ! You have created a masterpiece of a story from a historical treasure- it was truly moving and a beautiful tribute to our ancestors and to Anna ! Thank you!
After this video you put together I say keep it. You probably know more about Anna than anyone else.
I agree with you Bobby. I had a very similar experience with an artifact that I had found. With as many members of this woman's family tree, It is impossible to rightly give it to any single one of them. Maintain ownership of the artifact for yourself and LOAN it to a museum, the terms of which you can set. Avoid local historical societies. Sorry to say, artifacts such as these sometimes get "lost" over time.
I agree Brad should be the keeper, he's the one who brought her story and pendant to life, for all of us to know of a woman who had came and went before are time. I think the family should know of this video.
I agree. Brad took the time to research and present the story, and a riveting story it is.
@@andrepazik6905 Museums seldom return artifacts, regardless of what they promise.
I agree.
You are an absolutely amazing story teller Brad. I don't think I took a breath the entire time. Well done sir!
Local Museum in Michigan seems most appropriate. All of her descendants can travel to see her grave, and the pendant there. It is where her story, beautifully told, ended.
But it didn't end there. She has defendants to carry on her story !
Anna was an early Michigander and is buried there, so I agree. You may be able to get a tax deduction.
I agree that the pendant and a copy of, or rights to your video, should be given to a museum local to her place of burial.
Washtenaw County was a pretty early area of settmement in Michigan. It is the home of the University of Michigan which was founded in 1817. Michigan didn t become a state until 1837.
U of M is the home of a number of museums and noteable collections. Amongst them is the Bentley Library and repository of an enormous collection of historical documents and items. It is a primary source for research into the history of Michigan, the local area as well as the nation and the world! It is where I would suggest that you offer your research, your video and the pendant. It would be preserved and cared for forever.
An alternative option might be the State of Michigan s Historical Commission. However, in my experience, they might prefer that you simply notify them of what you have and tell them what you do with it. You can probably expect it to show up in a program the next time they hold a conference in Ann Arbor.
There is a Washtenaw County Historical Society who run a smaller museum. I don t know that they are in a position to preserve your work forever. They operate out of an old house.
@@karencrawford4068 That was good info, and very interesting. Many local historical societies operate out of old houses and have for decades, often houses with some local history. Any responsible society would pass on their treassures responsibly if they have to shut down.
I think the pendant and both videos (finding the pendant & the story of Anna) should be in a museum in the area. Very educational for future generations & deserving of such honor. Thank you, Brad.
Hi Brad, I was directed here by Nicola White to hear this incredible story. Thank you for doing all the research and not just throwing the pendant in a drawer. I feel that, to avoid a family feud, it should be in a museum along with Anna's story so it can be seen and appreciated by many people. Thank you again x
No need to thank us for watching but there is a need for us to thank you. This is a fantastic story. It must have taken a ton of time to research. You have taken something from the ground and brought an entire family back to life. Their family should make you an honorary member. You did a great job and this needs to be on WGBH as a special. Thanks!!!
that is an awesome story. I vote a local museum because it would be impossible to give to just one descendant and that pendant tells a great story.
This pendant and video should never be separated. Definitely displayed in the public eye. Cheers from Winnipeg.
You have totally blown me away. The story of Anna, your research, the pendant and how you dedicated yourself in finding out who Anna was. Thank You 😊😊😊
Great research, great editing, and great story telling! I have a similar story to tell, when our family were out antiquing and came upon a late 19th century bottle of silver polish. With a background in genealogy, I was able to discover the history and current heir to that bottle. Unlike your quest, with hundreds of descendants, mine was the only son of the only son of the only son of the creator of that product. And sharing my research of his family with him filled in an entirely blank canvas, as he was raised completely estranged from his forefathers. I have no idea why I was initially drawn to that item, nor what motivated me to discover it's lineage - never before, nor since, has that happened. Thank you so much for sharing this story of Anna ... very compelling!
Why did I get the chills watching this? Lol I guess I just love the history you don't normally hear about. The history of the "common" people. I absolutely loved this and I think you should make more videos like this one.
This video should be submitted to a film festival! Incredible work, Brad!
Agreed!!!!!!!!
I just can't get my head around how it is possible to gain all that information about Annas story. It must have been a massive task. Thanks for the journey...
Most of it is fiction.
@@williambrandondavis6897 a lot of it is embellished to make the story sing.
Her story had to be told.
It's amazing that starting from just a pendant, you were able to find out so much about this woman. You were able to tell us of the life of Anna Lenard, her family, and the unique circumstance that likely lead to her pendant being lost in the Vermont woods. This was a amazing video and thank you for sharing this story with us.
As a historian and genealogist. I feel it should go to a museum that shares the story of the building her dad was working on when she got the pendant, or the Massachusetts State Museum or the Smithsonian. Great job on the research and the presentation was amazing.
A museum would be a nice place for it. Especially as you have a little history to go with it
I knew there was a reason I got up at 4:30 am this morning, outside of the fact that my eyes just popped open. This is the day of Anna's Story. Excellent story and narration. Always interesting to look back at family history. And, boy-o-boy, that's going to be a tough decision on what to do with that pendant. If there is a museum where she lived and died, I would see about having it placed there. With so many family members it is the safest bet to avoid in-fighting over who should get it. I bet you get a lot of inquiries from them about getting that from you once this hits the airways. Yep, tough decision.
By far, the best "detecting " video I have ever seen by anyone! Enjoyed every minute, of both videos. Very well done, thank you for sharing your work!
I really enjoyed this story, having just watched the episode in which you found Anna’s pendant. Given her numerous descendants, it should probably be donated to a historical society, where any of Anna’s descendants who are interested - and anyone else - can view it. Or keep it in your own private collection. Your extensive research on the family is gift enough to interested descendants.
This story and the pendent should go to a museum showing possible loss and the finding of Anna’s pendant. Your story was well crafted and beautifully told .
Seems like the best possible option. The museum exhibit should include Brad's video so that visitors could watch it as they learn about the background of the pendent. Perhaps others will become interested in Anna's story and add new information. Great job Brad!
All I can say is wow what a story you documented the whole life of several people gave us an insight into Anna's past and her family all I can say is thank you and with this story you have kept Anna's memory alive
This is really great. Thank you.
I think it should be in a museum along with the research you did to tell the story of one of our amazing Americans. The story would make a great documentary or movie.
I think the family will want you to keep the pendant. They wouldn't know that it even existed if it wasn't for you. They see the story and I'm sure they appreciate all the research you have done. This is the best part of metal detecting, knowing the history behind the artifact.
This was incredible! Very well done. I’ve tried researching my own family tree and have run in to so many dead ends. The work you put into bringing a complete stranger’s history to life is just amazing. Your narrative and imagery were very captivating. Thank you for this 😊
Brad, This is what makes your channel stand out! Interesting content, music, showing trees, flowers, and other things on your travels, not merely digging for treasures. Plus getting to see your friends and family make you more personable. Thank you. We really enjoy it all.
I vote a museum. That way we can all share in her story. That went way deeper than I first anticipated when I opened this video. Incredible story. Thank you so much for sharing. 💜💜💜
Can you just imagine when she realized that pendant was lost?? No doubt something her father or a brother had purchased for her in Boston?? She no doubt travelled to Vermont and then with her Aunt to Michigan. God bless her ❤️
Amazing story, beautifully researched and told! I hope the pendant goes to a museum where many people can enjoy seeing it. Giving it to a relative will just put the pendant into hiding.
Thank you for sharing this! I stumbled upon your Facebook post. John and Sarah were my 11th great grandparents.
Great research! From an emotional perspective, my first thought was family. But, thinking a bit I believe donating along with your research to a museum near her family home at the time she was given the pendant.
Brad, this story was very touching. I salute you for all your hard research. I am a family researcher and was once gifted with a package of personal items from a stranger. He had the same surname as myself although we are not related. The materials came into his possession by accident and he had kept them researching the names of the people until he had discovered my name. His kindness has meant much to me as I discovered the story of my great great grandfather’s brother. I would say, if possible, find a direct descendant of Anna’s children to give the pendant to. If this is not possible, or they have no interest in the pendant, I think you are deserving of the object for keeping her memory alive. You re-discovered the object in the area (it would seem) she must have lost it. And you have made her live once more!
Perhaps a copy of the video rather than the medallion, how do you pick one descendant out of possibly hundreds? A museum or historical society would keep Anna and her families story alive much longer and for a far greater number of people!
Brad, this was amazing. You should write a screenplay about Anna's story. It reminded me of the movie Titanic where the story is tied to a sapphire necklace but this has an intriguing mystery attached to it. It illustrates how lives and memories are really never lost but waiting for someone, thoughtful and sincere like yourself, to rediscover and illuminate them.
Finding the pendant is very Proustian. I have this passage from Proust's Remembrance From Things Past framed in my library. “But when from a long-distant past nothing subsists, after the people are dead, after the things are broken and scattered, taste and smell alone, more fragile but more enduring, more unsubstantial, more persistent, more faithful, remain poised a long time, like souls, remembering, waiting, hoping, amid the ruins of all the rest; and bear unflinchingly, in the tiny and almost impalpable drop of their essence, the vast structure of recollection.”
That's a hard call, maybe have it displayed in a museum in the area where Anna lived her final years and let both of the families know where it is so both can share .
I am very impressed by this story. I can see you have spent countless hours in research on the Leonard family and Anna Adams Leonard. It is a living history and testament of her and her family. You not only found a lost pendant, you found her family and maybe, a living relative of hers someday to pass on the legacy. More than just trying to make content Brad, you put in the context surrounding it to give it Life, meaning, and purpose. We are all richer in our origins, purpose, and family connection to God as we continue to sift through the clues in the earth given to us with context to know who He is. Keep up this awesome work. 😊
Brad, you are amazing! You went rom a dirt encrusted pendant to an entire genealogy. You found her family, their arrival in colonial America, their participation in two wars, Anna's husband and children....WOW. The time and effort you put into this is remarkable, and the end result is fabulous. What a wonderful story, wonderfully told. Thank you!
Wow! Very interesting. You did a great job. I can’t help but imagine how terrible she felt the day she realized she lost her silver pendant. I think about how much it would mean to her decedents.
What an incredible story you told of Anna and her family!! I think you did the family great justice by putting together this video and research of her families history. My personal opinion that piece should be put on display at the local Historical Society and all the documentations you have come up, put with it so people can understand the true story of Anna and her family. It's a win win for you, the land owner, and all the naysayers (you know there some out there) to display it properly. Thank You for taking the time to put this together and all the research you put in.
Like your videos. Used to metal detect as a hobby and even had the fortunate opportunity to salvage dive for treasure for Mel Fischer in the Florida straights (Atocha, 1622 Spanish galleon wreck), Fla's east coast Plate fleet, 1715 wrecks etc... History has always fascinated me and liked finding artifacts of all kinds. Your videos entail the thrill of the hunt. Treasure of all kinds is where ya find it. Your research homework is intriguing! Bringing a personal touch to a personal find. Well done, sir! Like Mel Fischer used to say, "Today's the Day". 😊
This was the best story that I ever heard regarding a metal detecting find. You are amazing and such an asset to this hobby. I’ve been detecting 40+ years and have never been connected to a find like the one you found. Thank you for this story.
If there is a historical society where the cemetery is located you might contact them and maybe they can help you decide what should be done with the medallion. Brad, very well done story of a families life. You should be very proud of how you presented it. I predict you will become a well known historian if you choose to take that path.Your style reminded me immediately of Ken Burns. Well done! Thank you and stay safe.
You can find the family if really want to. Contact the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, they may the information that you are seeking.
This is by far one of the best videos you've done. Love watching you dig up history, its even better when there is story that can be told. The pendant should go to a museum and this video played beside it. Awsome job 👍👍👍. Let us know the final decision.
I agree.
Oh I love that idea of having this video playing beside it.
Great research and story Brad. You should keep the pendant. You are the keeper of the story.
I just watched this today. My great grandmother’s name was Veva Margaret Leonard, so this grabbed my attention.
I had heard that at least one of our descendants came over on the Mayflower.
I asked my mom, who’s into genealogy, to send me a link to our family tree.
The man in our family who came over was named Soloman Leonard. He had a son named John, but I doubt it’s the same John Leonard.
I just found your channel last night and I’ve been binge watching.
I was excited to see this video after seeing your discovery of this the night prior.
Thanks for the wild ride. I’ve been wanting to do this for years. I think I caught the bug. Haha
This is one of the most extraordinary videos I've seen. The dedication and live put into the research is simply out of this world. I think you should give that to a local museum, on the condition that the story be made part of the exhibit. I congratulate you for such a beautiful work and great video.
What a wonderful piece of work! This has to be one of the very best video's I've seen on RUclips.
Great video. I like the idea of donating the pendant to a Michigan history museum where it can be displayed with your video. And then letting descendants know where it is and how you found it so they can learn about this recovered history.
Not only are you a great metal detectorist but an awesome story teller! I think it should be in a museum for all to enjoy. Well done.
Brad , I. have been following you for over a year now. This is a very heartwarming and interesting story of Anna. I’d be pleased to see more like it in the future if possible. Congratulations on superb job. If they were awards given out for RUclips videos this one would have won an Oscar. Again , Well Done!
I’m speechless! Absolutely amazing! Thank you Brad! The pendant should go to one of her descendants!!
Wow, wonderful I was in tears. So glad you were able to trace Anna. I have been working on my family tree for over 20 years and don't think I ever have gotten so far. Thanks for keeping history alive.
This was awesome. It would probably blow her away, if she could read it! It's amazing what stories lie waiting for a person to find.
A museum where all of her family would have access to view it!
This story deserves to be told to a wide audience. A museum in Michigan dedicated to the history of the state would be a good choice. All of Anna’s many descendants would be able to see her story!
I'd love it see it go to the current first daughter. From Anna's first daughter, to their first daughter, and so on. What a wonderful heirloom to pass from 1st daughter's through time. :)
I just sat and shook my head through the whole video. I make videos of some of my better hunts. I do hundreds of hours of research to find good spots to hunt. Then if it pans out, I do a video of a pretty good hunt. Then edit the video for hours sometimes to create a video. NOTHING I have ever done comes close to the quality of your videos. The research you did on this pendant is AMAZING! But the editing and narration were even more impressive! I bow to the master! My vote for where it should go is a museum. I once found a GW button. It is now in a George Washington Museum in New York City. If it goes to a family member, it will be hidden in a closet somewhere. It should be displayed for thousands to see!
Unbelievable brad , you brought anna's life back to life. Do what your heart tells you with the pendant . awesome job !
This is why I metal detect. I find items and wonder about who last held the item. I imagine what they were doing when it was lost. You wish the item could tell a story. You are lucky in that you have a item that actually can tell you that story.
Great video and already one of my favorites on you tube.
Awesome find, great research and ordinary life revealed. This pendant should stay in your possession as you are the most involved nowadays and the only person for whom this pendant means something. 200 years after it was lost, none of her descendants can have a better claim than yourself. You might even be related to Anna through one of the numerous children born since her ancestor set foot in America... Thank you for sharing this story with us.
I agree Brad has lovingly put this all together and researched it. Only if the nearest family members were to contact you it should stay with you. Anna chose you to fine it and research her life and let it be known. You are awesome God Bless You
As a fellow metal hunter, I’m astounded by the amount of work you put into this video. Those of us that appreciate the history of the objects we find are a rare breed.
My suggestion:
Take the pendant to Anna’s grave. Lay it on her headstone and let her know you found it and wanted to return it to her. Ask her permission to take it and to continue to tell her story through a museum.
I believe Anna should be reunited with the pendant just long enough for her to know it was found and will be placed somewhere safe for others to know her history.
Once again, great job.
That was truly a Beautiful Historical Documentary. I hope her family saw it and was sincerely touched by the time and thoughtfulness that went in to finding Anna. I was.
There is no monetary value for the adventure this pendant has taken you on through time… I feel as though you would appreciate it more than anyone maybe, so keeping it for yourself is probably best. Can’t help but feel like you meant to find it and tell this amazing story, for that thank you!!!
That was awesome!! I often ponder how certain objects get places. You did a masterful job of recounting her life. In most families there are people who care about their family history and those who don't. I would say, if possible, locate the a family member who does care, who has put together the history and who knows exactly who Anna was. Great video.
That brought tears to my eyes. You did a wonderful job telling Anna's story. In my opinion, the tag, and your story, along with some of other artifacts should reside in a museum or historical society display, near the property, nearest town, or city. Bravo sir. Fine work. You've earned my subscription for sure.
This kind of thing is exactly why I metal detect. Finding those items that have a personal connection is priceless, and this one is about as priceless as it can get. This thing is a national treasure. Congratulations.
As a history teacher and researcher, this is great work. I love that you didnt state all evidence as 100% fact, but prefaced it with “it can be postulated”. Love it.
This was one of the most touching stories i have ever heard. I wonder how Anna felt after losing her pendant. What a wonderfully researched tale. This made my day. You are the tops!
If you know where Anna's grave site is then I think it should be with whole hearted kindness to reunite her with her lost pendant. This is one of your best pieces to date!
Someone would just steal it.
A museum with a bit of her story would be nice. Giving it to family would also be a nice gesture, but it would probably just end up in a jewelry box in a drawer rarely to be seen again. Great find, and impressive research by you! Thanks for sharing the story.
By far one of the best metal detecting videos I have ever seen! Absolutely blown away! So emotional and so speechless!! Hats off to your research and detailed information on her back story 👏🏽
Wow! Finding Anna’s pendant is amazing but how you researched her life’s story and then presented it with such dignity and grace is beyond incredible. I loved it. Thank you.
Absolutely wonderful job researching Anna’s story. Beautifully filmed and narrated, thank you for telling us this story.
A+ Documentary! Awesome Job Brad! Thank You for the time you invested on this project, to keep the memory of Anna alive!
I concur, 4 months research is actually fast IMHO. It would have taken me years. And your editing skills!
Excellent work in telling this fascinating story. I was blown away when you mentioned Dexter. I live minutes away from downtown and frequently bike past and stroll through the original cemetery in the village. It's a beautiful and peaceful place. So much history there. This weekend I'll try to locate any Epley family members and share photos if I can.
Please do! I was thinking that someone should do that. I am not all that far away but am not mobile at the moment! I look forward to your report. It s a nice exercise on the first spring days that are now due.
Wow. I have only just come across this amazing story. Thank you so much for your research & sharing Anna's story with us. Remarkable ❤
Brad, IMO the pendant is a family heirloom and it should go to the surviving descendants that came from her womb. BRAVO, hands down the BEST EVER metal detecting related story ever told !
I'm sure her family would enjoy having this trinket as a link to their past. I enjoyed the story!
AMAZING!!! So glad you took such care in doing this. As you know, some finds are A LOT more ‘rare’ than others...
Awesome job Brad! I wish I could give ya more 👍. Anna must have been so upset when she realized she lost that pendent. But now I'm sure she is happy she did. Beautiful tribute to a founding family. Thanks for taking us along...
As a lifelong Michigander and a Detectorist I was moved by Anna's Story. Thank you.
THIS is the very reason I love metal detecting. It is not for the monetary value of the find....but the HISTORY behind it, that sends my heart racing and my imagination into the past. I, too, do genealogy. So when I find something traceable....I doggedly pursue the history and the facts behind the piece. Often, I return the piece to a descendant of the person. Other times, I consider a history center. If neither of those pan out, I hold it near and dear to me, and think often about the person who cherished the piece and I tell my grandchildren the stories I have learned about the lives that have come before us.
This history you revealed, is exactly just that way. It has all the wonder and imagination and facts that brought a woman and her entire family, from the past into the present. Because of that, we ALL have come to get a glimpse of Miss Anna Leonard and her life.
Well done. Proud to know you. Proud to pass this video on to others who share the joy of history and of the find.
Fantastic piece of history. Very few family members probably will never even appreciate it nowadays hopefully you find one that will and if not keep it for yourself and cherish it 👍🏼🇺🇸🦅
That was a masterpiece, really incredible.
I think that approaching her closest descendants and talking with them would be a positive move and maybe they or everyone as a group can decide where this remarkable piece of history should reside. Like many things that are unearthed the monetary value is negligible but the historical and personal value is priceless.
I wholeheartedly concur.
They're averaging 10+ children per generation, and maybe 8 generations to today, so there could be as many as 10^7[?] descendants.
Even if you account for untimely death/disease/low birthrate/war/contraception, there are still potentially tens of thousands of "close" descendants.
From my own great grandmother, who was one of seven siblings, there are over 100 descendants alive today, and that's in only 5 generations across 100 years.
Brad, this story and discovery are amazing. Thank you. My roommate is a civil war historian, and she has done the same extensive searches for the Pennsylvania regiment. I honor you for your depth of study. That and your dedication is heartwarming. Take care, my friend.
Brad.....that is one awesome story...! With all the details...it reminded me of my own Family Ancestry, we were the Pioneering Parmenter's. And yes, there is an organization by that name, searchable, that keeps all the Family members informed. Hailing from France in 1400's, our Sir name was Parmentier (french). In the early 1500's they moved from France to England, they dropped the "i" on our Sir name to make it English (Parmenter). They hung out at Hedingham Castle, Essex County, England. There's word of several events at the Castle, Christenings, Marriages, Funerals, Baptisms, etc... Some years ago (tours still given today) parts of the Castle caught Fire and burned. Around 1539 a bunch of them packed up, got on a ship and sailed to Massachusetts, they settled in "Sudbury, Mass." They were: Tailors, Glover's, Inn & Tavern Keepers, Farmers, Rum Runners, and one was a well known Horse thief..! Many of the Families gave birth to 16 to 20 children..! That always fascinated me, because in those times, how could they afford to raise so many children. The Farmers said with all the kids, they didn't have to hire any help at harvest time. (I'm making a long story short here..!) The Horse Thief got caught and was sentenced to jail in Boston, MA. but the jails were all full, they put him on another Ship that took his little butt to Australia... where he served his time, got out and married a woman there, lived happily ever after, yeah right..! From Massachusetts we spread out across the USA in all directions, I even met one of my great Uncles here in NM when I moved here in 1990..! As for the "Pendant" let the Family Members decide...? =)