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Brad Hicks' Blog

by Brad_Hicks from FOX 6 Milwaukee

Last Post 1 day, 10 hours Ago


Discovering the past
Mar 11, 2008 | 3:31 PM
Category: Entertainment
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Last week I was in California doing some genealogy research on my ancestors who moved to California during the Gold Rush.  I'm really not much of a "library" kind of guy, but I am curious about stuff, so it was fun.

Anyway, through old deeds and maps, I found the location of the house where one set great-great-great grandparents raised their kids.  I drove there and found a vacant lot with the old barn still standing.  As I was contemplating the place, looking at an old picture I had of the house, an elderly guy drove up and asked what I was doing.  I explained and showed him the old picture of the house.

Turns out, he grew up in the house!!!  He's 88 now.   His grandmother bought the house from my great-great-great grandparents children after their parents had died.   His brother still owns the property, and tore the house down in the 1950s because it was falling apart.  Meeting old Spencer Bennett was one of the highlights of my little adventure into the past!!

And just for fun, here's a pic from 1877 of my Great-great-great grandparents who lived in that house.   Also in the picture:  four of their five daughters, including my great-great grandmother and her husband with their first newborn daughter.

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Member Comments Total Comments: 3
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jen24 read my blog view my photos
Mar 11, 2008 | 3:59 PM

Hey! That is REALLY flippin' cool!
Shelshok view my photos
Mar 11, 2008 | 7:57 PM

Wow...very cool!!! I have spent the last few months going thru old family photos and history as well...they sure make you wonder about the past. Mostly I wonder why no one smiles. They all look as tho the devil is taking the picture. My recent family photos are nothing but smiles. Times sure change!!!
Only1Antoine read my blog
Mar 12, 2008 | 1:49 PM

Times have changed for real as you said Shel. I wonder...Hmmm... Brad just gave me an idea. I want to know who my great grandparent's parents and my great grandparents parent's mother and father are (if my family went all that far back). I don't know. I'm going to do some spare homework on the side one day and find out. As a matter of fact, I think everyone should. We should all know about our history and see how we all came about through this day and how it could be like tomorrow (if you all get what I'm saying)
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Brad_Hicks

FOX 6 Anchor/Reporter: Thanks for visiting my bio page. You must be a curious person, so we already have something in common. Mix your curiosity with a passion for detail, a love for people, and a hunger for adrenaline, and you have the recipe for a news person! I grew up (although some people would disagree with that) in Palo Alto, California. While pursuing my Ph.D. in Geography at Texas A&M, I decided to explore the wild and wacky world of television news. I was hooked. My journey has taken me to the South (Atlanta), the Northeast (Lancaster/Harrisburg PA), the West (the San Francisco Bay Area), and now the Midwest. Over the years, I have been fortunate to have my work earn national awards from NBC News, the U.S. Coast Guard, and The National Water Safety Congress, as well as multiple Emmy Awards, and awards from the Associated Press. While I was working in Pennsylvania, the 6pm newscast I anchored became the highest rated top-50 market evening newscast in the country. The biggest honor, however, is knowing that you are watching. I take very seriously the responsibility we have to bring you accurate and up-to-the-minute information. Covering the news for you is not just a job; it's a privilege. Now some trivial tidbits you would never know about me if I didn't tell you: *I was once attacked by wild dogs in India and underwent rabies treatment. *As a graduate student, I published an academic paper that provided the first evidence Native Americans domesticated the California Fan Palm (Washingtonia Filifera). *My Grandfather, Robert T. Frederick, was the youngest and most wounded General in WWII. He created a unit called the First Special Service Force, a precursor to today's Special Forces. Winston Churchill called him "the greatest fighting General of all time", and actor William Holden portrayed him in the movie "The Devil's Brigade". *I feel deeply fortunate to live in this great country, and I am quietly indebted to every war vet who has risked his or her life for the freedoms we all enjoy. Be sure to check out my video bio and my blog, and if you're still curious, or you have a story you would like me explore, please give me a buzz at the TV station. I will take your call, because I'm curious too!

Member Since: 8/24/2006


 

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