In December a Washington DC producer left a message on a DC facebook group.

She was looking for families who had lived in DC for multiple generations to tell their stories in a series on DCTV called Generations. She pointed out how most people think of the district as a transitory city and yet people lived and worked there many years ago. Those residents were the backbone of the development of Washington City as it was called in the early 1800’s. And while my mother was the last of my direct line to live in DC my family roots there are deep. I still have many family members who live in the area.

Prior to the interview I sent the producer information on each person being featured. Notes about their life and photos of family items I have in my possession. I didn’t know what to expect from the interview itself and I was very nervous, but it was fun, and the producer made me feel comfortable during the hour.

The editing group crew took the rough video and photos and magically put it together. Each person mentioned in the video is a character in my current manuscript.

The role they each played in the city contributed to its growth;

✔️a Prussian immigrant who became a baker, the granddaughter of a Revolutionary War Patriot,

✔️a residential builder who was also connected to politics with President Lincoln,

✔️a firefighter for 32 years in DC when horses were being used to reach a fire,

✔️a cabinetmaker right in the middle of history who inspected the locks on the theater box of the President at Ford’s theater after the assassination of Abraham Lincoln and then was deposed during the trial of the conspirators.

Everyone’s family has so many stories to unveil!

While I couldn’t share everything on camera, my current manuscript explores the hardship of a family living in oppression in Frankfurt Am Main, choosing to leave their home in 1834 to find a better life in America. The travel by ship was treacherous during that time and life after they arrived in Washington City (Washington DC) was made difficult over the years by their decisions and the time period in which they lived. Delving deep into the history of Washington DC, my ancestors' life, and the choices they made certainly have caused me to reflect on the human condition as I have been writing the story.

Photograph shows Maine Ave., S.W., looking N.E. towards Capitol from Armory vic. (Maine Ave. ran from 3rd to 6th sts., S.W., just north, of and parallel to, Maryland Ave. in 1865)

I can’t wait until I can share more details of my work in progress with you!

Do you enjoy learning more about your family’s history?

Leave me a comment, I would love to hear more about your historical finds.

Subscribe now

Lisa E Oakley

How My Family Story Ended Up On TV.