August 3-4, 2013: American Families: The Railtons

[As we head into a month of AmericanStudier birthdays—my own, my Dad’s, my sister’s—this week’s series has focused on interesting, multi-generational American families. These are some of the many other posts I’ve written about my own impressive American family. Share your family histories and stories below, please!]

I could dedicate this whole blog to what I have learned and continue to learn about America from my own multi-generational family. I’ve restrained myself from doing so, but have touched on those connections in various posts through the years. Here are a handful:

1)      I wrote about the inspiring American life and identity of my paternal grandfather, Art Railton, in this tribute post.

2)      I wrote about the model digital scholarly work being done by my father, Steve Railton, in this post.

3)      I wrote about the crucial educational and American work being done by my mother, Ilene Railton, in this post—and Ilene also contributed my very first guest post.

4)      I wrote about the very American elements to the wedding of my sister, Annie Railton, in this post.

5)      And I was inspired by the birthdays of my sons, Aidan and Kyle, to write these two self-reflective posts.

I’m sure my family will inspire more posts in the years to come—and of course all my posts, like all of me, are connected to them.

Next series starts Monday,

Ben

PS. What about you? Family histories or inspirations you’d share?