Ep 07 - Blood & Ink

Summary

In this episode of 'Finding Grandpa Charlie', Erv Lenzy delves into the complex family history surrounding Charlie Henderson and Henrietta Waters. Through a mix of personal anecdotes and genealogical research, Irv uncovers the silence and loss that permeated their lives, revealing the struggles of tracing family roots amidst a backdrop of abandonment and erasure. The narrative explores the power of DNA in resurrecting forgotten stories and the emotional weight of familial legacies.

Takeaways

• Some stories are told in ink. Others are passed down in blood.
• Henrietta was the mystery matriarch, tall, strong and quiet.
• Literacy was a form of power for Henrietta.
• The 1890 census is gone, burned and lost.
• Silence passed down like a family heirloom.
• Charlie married another woman while Henrietta grieved.
• The timeline of events reveals a cruel reality.
• Charlie didn't just disappear; he multiplied.
• DNA can resurrect stories long thought lost.
• Some legacies get buried on purpose.

Chapters

00:00 Uncovering Family Mysteries

09:05 The Weight of Silence and Loss

17:18 The Search for Charlie's Legacy

26:36 DNA and the Truth of Heritage

30:49 The Final Chapter: Charlie's Death