I don't always talk ax murders and murderers, but when I do, genealogy is involved. Let me explain, lest you think me crazy. Recently a friend took me to lunch for my birthday. During the course of our meal, I recounted a family history project I am working on involving a bank robbery. 

When I was done spouting the family tale, he said, "Cool. My introduction to family history was when my mom sent me journal entries about a relative. Some guy broke into his house, grabbed a hatchet and attacked his wife. She survived, but one of their children died. Then he followed the ax guy and shot him. Apparently the authorities just said," and waved his hand to show me the authorities let his ancestor off scot-free. 

Later, after lunch, and being a fan of research, I looked it up. Here's a photo of one newspaper entry about the event. [1] I found a few others. Chatted with my friend again and he told me he likes to see genealogical photos of the inmates in prison. 

This kind of conversation and stories are the reason why I gravitated to genealogy in the first place--to learn the sordid history and drama of my family's past. Just kidding. I like to know about my ancestors and their stories. The tales don't always have to be about ax murders and murderers. They could be about rat poison . . . oops, that's an entirely different story.

What I meant to say is that the stories don't have to be about the sordid and dramatic tales people went through. They could be heroic, or even downright domestic and boring. Anything to give me a glimpse into the lives of our ancestors. 

So, if you like swapping stories about bank robberies, ax murders, and rat poison, while at the same time outing your ancestors in the process, come join us at the Mississippi Genealogical Society. We'd love to get to know you.

And not in some creepy ax murderer kind of way. 

Sources:

1. "Speedy Justice," The Deseret News (Salt Lake City), p. 8, col. 2. 7 April 1869. digitalnewspapers.org (https://newspapers.lib.utah.edu/ark:/87278/s66t1g52 : accessed 10 June 2025).