Returning to our Roots

About the Book

Returning To Our Roots: Journey Into Yesteryear, by Charles G. Hood and Christopher S. Hood, tells the compelling story of one family’s past. This book intentionally differs in its approach and writing style from other genealogic works. Eschewing the standard format of dryly describing the dates of birth, marriage and death for each generation, instead the authors have attempted to weave the historical data in a more palatable manner by writing each of the four foundation chapters—one for each of their grandparents’ family—in a narrative format that entertains while it informs. Interspersed among these chapters are stories of the journeys taken by the authors—both physical and spiritual—during the course of their research, spanning nearly three years of intensive effort. Well over a hundred interviews, many by telephone but a substantial number in person, combined with existing family documents and a fresh dose of research into many facets of history long dormant until the advent of the Internet, provide a wealth of information from which the authors have produced this work. Additional space is afforded a detailed look at the lives of the authors’ parents, until the passing of their father in 1972. The book is filled with an eminently readable combination of factual information and amusing anecdotes. Stories span the American Revolution, the Civil War, and both World Wars. The coal and coke regions of western Pennsylvania and northern West Virginia forged the fine men and women representing the main characters of the book; residents of Connellsville, Pennsylvania, and Fairmont, West Virginia would particularly enjoy this book as it lovingly describes some of the proud history of these two communities since the early 1800’s. Additional chapters pertain to Rachel, West Virginia, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and other locales in Ohio, Kansas, Indiana, Colorado and several other states. While the particular details of these stories certainly apply to the characters described, the recurring themes of integrity, persistence in the face of adversity, patriotism, and the strong bond of the family itself all lend themselves to more generic interest nonetheless. This book is a true labor of love, a permanent record of a storied past, and it is dedicated to the deceased parents of the authors.

About the Author

Charles G. Hood is a physician with Lexington Radiology Associates, PA, of West Columbia, South Carolina. He and his wife, Anita, live on Lake Murray with their two sons, Michael and Ryan. Charles also enjoys tennis, astronomy, magic and music. Christopher S. Hood is ¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬Vice-President, National Accounts, for the largest ocean shipper of cargo to Puerto Rico. He and his wife, Rosemary, have four daughters and four granddaughters and live in Overland Park, Kansas. Chris also enjoys the Kansas City Chiefs, travel, history, aviation, and all sports.