Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-02-14
SEARCHING FOR ANCESTORS.
Men Who Go to the Congressional Libral
to Establish an Aristocratic Lineage.

Men Who Go to the Congressional Library
to Establish an Aristocratic Lineage.
With a sigh he closed the book over which he
had been pouring for several hours and with
| considerable dignity, dashed with disappoint-
ment handed it to one of the attendants. II
was near the time when the Congressiona. Lii
brary closes and his days task was ended. He
probably returned the next day or some other
on q similar mission and took his place. He
was well dressed, that is, extensively. He
carried . pair Of tan gloves with his cane in hii
left hand, which was encountered also with q
| shiny tile. His countenance lacked the patri-
clan cast and the pallor of his cheeks Nigh,
have come from studioumess or from cigarette
smoking. The brown stains on the middle
fingers of his left hand were covered by burnt
paper and tobacco. His hands and feet were
large and q diamond ring on his middle finger
was rather too large and conspicuous. As he
passed out an habitue of the library winked al
The STAR man and remarked:
He is looking for an ancestor"
"For what?'
"For an ancestor, and he has not found him.
Did you not observe the disappointment Why
they come here nearly every day and in con-
siderable numbers to look for lost ancestors.
Sometimes they find them, that is, some OF
them find their ancestors, but the chaps like
him never do. 1 suppose it is because they
never had any. Oh, no, of course this is not a
repository for a collection Of forefathers" the
gentleman hastily added. as he observed The
STAR mans gaze wandering among the piles OF
volumes that fill every nook and corner of the
place. They come here to look up the records.
You see we have no 'peerage' upon whose
pages are emblazoned the names Of the great
or those whose folks before them were great.
SAKE says American aristocracy is q bridge
across hundred years. It's a little more than
that now. In some sections it dates from the
Mayfower. But to establish a claim to blue
blood beyond dispute it is but necessary to
find an ancestor who fought in the revolu-
tionary war. That's what this young man was
looking for. He has wearied himself for many
hours looking over the records Of the revolu-
ton for an ancestor. Since the establishment
of the Sons of the Revolution many young men
have been seized with desire to hunt up
revolutionary ancestors. And the mania is not
confined to men; with the women it is perhaps
stronger. for the Daughters of the Revolution
are prOuder than the Sons. Mind you, l don't
discredit it; it is proud distinction to descend
from revolutionary stock. But would remark
that living under q republican form of gov
eminent does not exempt US from pride of
blood. The roster of the revolution is our
'peerage. 1t is the disappointment of those
who do not find their ancestors that is both
humorous and pathetic. They should remem-
Der, however, that the records are incomplete
do. There was sword and q tradition hang
ing up in my old home, but I cannot find the
warrant for either in the preserved roster
HE STAR man at once resolved on establish
ing searching party to uncover some of his
ancestors, but was discouraged by the belief,
after a diigent examination, that tho records
were not complete.