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LONDON (AP) — Archaeologists say they have discovered the oldest handwritten document ever found in Britain among hundreds of 2,000-year-old waxed tablets from Roman London.

Museum of London Archaeology experts say they found more than 400 wooden tablets during excavations in London's financial district for the new headquarters of information company Bloomberg.

So far 87 have been deciphered, including one addressed "in London, to Mogontius" and dated to A.D. 65-80 — the earliest recorded reference to the city, which the Romans called Londinium.

Another is dated Jan. 8, A.D. 57 — Britain's earliest dated hand-written document. Read More

Millions of immigrants came in through Ellis Island from the day it opened in 1892 to the day it closed in 1954. Amateur photographer Augustus Sherman, who worked there as a registry clerk from 1892 to 1925, took hundreds of photos of the new arrivals, often in elaborate traditional dress they had brought with them. He gave the photos simple labels—“Italian woman,” “Scottish boys,” “German stowaway”—that tell the barest of background stories. Courtesy of the Ellis Island Collection at The New York Public Library Digital Collections, here are 12 of Sherman’s portraits of immigrants on their way to a new life in the U.S. Read More

For the Associated Press

CAESAREA, Israel — A chance discovery by two divers uncovered Israel's biggest find of underwater Roman-era artifacts in three decades, archaeologists said Monday as the priceless objects were showcased for the first time.

The treasures were found last month by divers Ran Feinstein and Ofer Raanan when they came across an ancient shipwreck near the port of Caesarea.

Standing next to his diving buddy, Raanan recounted the moment the pair realized they had discovered something special. Read More

    On this second page of the scrapbook is a poem written by Wisconsin poet Henry Reed Conant (?-1923) titled, Faces that are Gone. As the date reflects, this page was probably created in 1892.

    Another clipping shows the poem Our Two Opinions, written by Eugene Field. Field was established in his own rights working for the Chicago Daily News in 1892. His father, Roswell Martin Field (1807-1869) was also well-known. The elder field represented Dred Scott (dates unknown) the slave who sued for his freedom in 1857. (Dred Scott vs. Sandford or the Dred Scott Case). 

As of yet, I have not researched the other poems--maybe someday. Enjoy, Pat

Kacey Deamer for Live Science

A 350-year-old French mystery has been unmasked: In his new book, Paul Sonnino, a professor of history at the University of California, Santa Barbara, claims he has uncovered the real identity of the mysterious Man in the Iron Mask.

The Man in the Iron Mask was a prisoner arrested in 1669 and held in the Bastille and other French jails for more than three decades, until his death in 1703. His identity has been an enduring mystery because, throughout his imprisonment, the man's face was hidden by a mask, according to Sonnino. The story was even popularized in the 1998 film "The Man in the Iron Mask," starring Leonardo DiCaprio.

It's a mystery that evaded even famed philosopher Voltaire and writer Alexandre Dumas. Historians have discounted the theory popularized by Voltaire and Dumas that the masked man was the twin brother of Louis XIV, according to Sonnino. [Bones with Names: Long-Dead Bodies Archaeologists Have Identified] 

Kacey Deamer for Live Science

A 350-year-old French mystery has been unmasked: In his new book, Paul Sonnino, a professor of history at the University of California, Santa Barbara, claims he has uncovered the real identity of the mysterious Man in the Iron Mask.

The Man in the Iron Mask was a prisoner arrested in 1669 and held in the Bastille and other French jails for more than three decades, until his death in 1703. His identity has been an enduring mystery because, throughout his imprisonment, the man's face was hidden by a mask, according to Sonnino. The story was even popularized in the 1998 film "The Man in the Iron Mask," starring Leonardo DiCaprio.

It's a mystery that evaded even famed philosopher Voltaire and writer Alexandre Dumas. Historians have discounted the theory popularized by Voltaire and Dumas that the masked man was the twin brother of Louis XIV, according to Sonnino. [Bones with Names: Long-Dead Bodies Archaeologists Have Identified] 

Kacey Deamer for Live Science

A 350-year-old French mystery has been unmasked: In his new book, Paul Sonnino, a professor of history at the University of California, Santa Barbara, claims he has uncovered the real identity of the mysterious Man in the Iron Mask.

The Man in the Iron Mask was a prisoner arrested in 1669 and held in the Bastille and other French jails for more than three decades, until his death in 1703. His identity has been an enduring mystery because, throughout his imprisonment, the man's face was hidden by a mask, according to Sonnino. The story was even popularized in the 1998 film "The Man in the Iron Mask," starring Leonardo DiCaprio.

It's a mystery that evaded even famed philosopher Voltaire and writer Alexandre Dumas. Historians have discounted the theory popularized by Voltaire and Dumas that the masked man was the twin brother of Louis XIV, according to Sonnino. [Bones with Names: Long-Dead Bodies Archaeologists Have Identified] 

 The following information is a superficial genealogy of those mentioned in "Important": Elizabeth Kennard Robson's Tribute

     The note's author, Elizabeth Kennard Robson, was born in 1866. As of yet, her husband is unknown, She died in 1946 and was buried in Middletown Cemetery, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. (Link to Find-A-Grave) 

     Robson's  Grandmother was Elizabeth (Newton) Cook (Feb 20, 1806-March 6, 1881). She is buried in Friends Meetinghouse Cemetery in Kent County, Delaware. (Find-A-Grave added "Dill" to her name. That name is neither on her headstone or in Robson's write-up, so I'm going to leave that alone.) Elizabeth (and, as of yet, an unknown fellow or fellows) had three children. Only two of the children are pertinent to this piece. 

      Armina Davis Cook Kennard was Robson's birth mother. Armina's birthdate is unknown. She married William Groom Kennard (1826-1898).* They had one child, the author of the "important" note, Elizabeth Kennard Robson.  Armina Died on December 18, 1870, when Robson was only four years old. Armina is also buried in the Friends Meetinghouse Cemetery in Kent County, Delaware. (Link to Find-A-Grave) After her mother's death it seems that Armina's sister, Mary, took over the care of the child. 

      Mary A. Cook Spencer was born in 1848. She married Leonard M. Spencer (1827-1914). Clearly, from Robson's note, the Spencers lived in Philadelphia. Yet, from information on found on Find-A-Grave, both Mary and Leonard are buried in the Friends Meetinghouse Cemetery in Kent County, Delaware. (Link to Find-A-Grave)

     Mary and Armina's sister was Susan B. Cook Pleasanton. She was born in 1828 and died in 1900. Her husband was Edward Pleasonton (1812-1894). They were buried in the Friends Meetinghouse Cemetery.(Link to Find-A-Grave)

      Isaac Newton (1643-1727). "Astronomer. English Quaker Stock." 

*Note he and Robson were both buried in Middletown Cemetery, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. Robson's grandmother, mother, and Aunt were all buried in the Friends Meetinghouse Cemetery in Delaware. 

For a moment, think of every major event that has occurred in your life since 1986 (if you're old enough, of course). Many birthdays have come and gone, children have grown to become adults, and we went from listening to "Rock Me Amadeus" to well... Justin Bieber. In a nutshell, things have changed quite a bit, but not for everything. In 1986, this Aston Martin DBS was rolled into a barn and locked safely away from prying eyes, and for the last 30 years, that is exactly where it has remained, until now. The dusty yet gorgeous Aston will cross the Silverstone Auctions block in May, where it's expected to fetch upwards of £60,000 (about $87,000). New in 1968, it would have cost about £4,470. Read More

     When first researching the Margaretta Bowen Wissler letter, I originally thought the letter was written by Wissler's niece, Margaretta Kendlehart (1847-1934). As such, I began to explore the Kendlehart family and found the Gettysburg family fascinating. I've included some of that initial research (below), which stemmed from the search for Margaretta Kendlehart. 

       Like his father, John Kendlehart, David Kendlehart (1813-1891) became a shoemaker. In Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, David built a successful general boot and shoe store in which he both manufactured and sold footwear. In 1841, he married Eliza Ann Bowen (1815-1902), daughter of James Bowen.The store was successful enough that it sustained his family for forty years and allowed David and Eliza to retire in comfort. 

     David was also civic-minded and served as the president of the Gettysburg city council, among other positions for which he received no pay. Kendlehart was serving in this capacity when Confederate General Early, made demands upon the borough to provide his army with money, clothing, and food. As stated in The History of Cumberland and Adams Counties, Pennsylvania,

This was the first sight of an army that had come to destroy and subdue, and no one but those who were here enjoying the fruits of their hard labors, can express the prevalent feeling when asked to surrender their own to the would-be destroyers of our Government.*

      Kendlehart maintained his cool in the face of the intruders and in a letter dated June 26, 1863, he responded to Early's peremptory request:

"Gen. Early,

     Sir: the authorities of the borough of Gettysburg, in answer to the demand made upon the same borough and county by you, say their authority extends but to the borough; that the requisition asked for can not be given, because it is utterly impossible to comply. The quantities required are far beyond that in our possession. In compliance, however, to the demand, we will request the stores to be opened and the citizens to furnish whatever they can of such provisions, etc., as may be asked. Further we can not promise. By authority of the council of the borough of Gettysburg, I hereunto, as president of said board, attach my name. D. Kendlehart

      On July 4, 1863, Kendlehart in company with his sons John and James William and George Arnold, Esq. were able to get through Union lines to General Meade where they supplied as much information as they could about Early's army.

      This incident was not the only event which lends to describing Kendlehart's character.  David Kendlehart was out-spoken against slavery and the following anecdote demonstrates his commitment to his beliefs. A Mr. Hartman drove into town and asked Kendlehart where he could find a Justice of the Peace. Kendlehart heard that Hartman was holding an African American with the intent of returning her to her owner. Once Hartman was involved with the JP, Kendlehart persuaded the woman to run. When Hartman came out and began looking for the escapee, Hartman sent him looking in the wrong direction. It was rumored that she met up with her husband, who had escaped a short time before her own flight. Due to Kendlehart's actions they were able to break "their chain of slavery." Best, Pat

     In 1841, David Kendlehart married Eliza Bowen (d/o James Bowen). They had the following children:

     Mary C. Kendlehart

Sarah L. Kendlehart

Margaretta B. Kendlehart (married William P. McCartney)

John L. Kendlehart

J. William Kendlehart

*All of the research was found in  History of Cumberland and Adams Counties, Pennsylvania. Warner, Beers & Co. Chicago, 1886 pp 357-358