John Peel - Life Preserver

01/12/2023

A week from today, I'll be at Maria's Bookshop discussing one of my latest projects, "The Ballantines: Building Community Issue By Issue." Looking forward to it!

12/12/2022

Book release party Wednesday evening at the Durango Herald. This project began in the fall of 2019, and it's pretty exciting for Life Preserver to see the final product! "The Ballantines: Building Community Issue By Issue" is about the family that has owned the Herald since 1952 and has helped make this town the desirable place it is today.

12/13/2020

Life Preserver isn't quite this high-tech. But here's some interesting technology to consider about preserving your loved ones. Check out this from the Wall Street Journal. You'll need a subscription to read the story but you should be able to access the video:

Old photos, letters and tapes. Tech has long allowed us to preserve memories of people long after they have died. But with new tools there are now interactive s

01/01/2020

A good idea to get things rolling if you're interested in family history:

Reconnect with your family and friends by sending an informative, engaging family newsletter—these tips will show you how.

08/13/2019

Funny stuff from a Canadian "mixed race" dude:

Nobody wants to hear stories about your food blog, grandma. Catch Lachlan Patterson on the sixth episode from the 23rd season on Halifax Comedy Festival this...

07/09/2019

Coming soon: Mickey Hogan's story and insights into Durango's growth in the 20th century. What made Durango great? Mickey knows ...

04/10/2019

Interesting story on the difficulties and possibilities of searching the past for information: https://www.brownstonedetectives.com/who-are-these-people-1911

03/28/2019

Interesting tidbit about the value of your life story:

Growing older can bring feelings of a loss of self, but making the effort to create a record of your life can be a therapeutic pursuit, and can also be welcomed and appreciated by other family members.

01/14/2019

I'm always a bit behind, but here's something interesting if you haven't seen it already. My great-great-grandfather was a druggist in Alexandria when the Union troops took over. He ended up in prison in D.C. An interesting look at the Civil War:

Inspired by real events, Mercy Street takes viewers beyond the battlefield and into the lives of a distinctive cast of characters — doctors, nurses, contraband laborers and Southern loyalists — realizing the chaotic world of Union-occupied Alexandria, Virginia and the Mansion House Hospital in t...

05/14/2018

Now available at Maria's Bookshop. The story of Durango's iconic bookshop. Written by John Peel's Life Preserver.

02/21/2018

Our newly revamped (not exactly overhauled, but revamped seems fair) website with the cool new logo:

Southwest Colorado Genealogical Society Southwest Colorado genealogy La Plata County Historical Society Durango Bayfield Ignacio Cortez Mancos Dolores Allison Tiffany Arboles Silverton

11/24/2017

Pretty good show that I should have started watching a long time ago: http://www.pbs.org/show/finding-your-roots/ Next show on RMPBS is Dec. 12, 7p.

Watch Finding Your Roots videos on demand. Stream full episodes online.