I love researching!

[Donna McCreary]

There are many things I have read while doing research that has made me 'giddy.' Sometimes, I find something that others may have read, but did not publish. Sometimes, it is something no one else has read. Sometimes the moment is special because I am in awe of the item in my hands. Some of my favorite moments include:

1. Putting on the white gloves and holding Mary's coral necklace, measuring the waist of her skirt, and taking detailed notes about the strawberry dress.
2. Going through an old Todd family scrapbook and helping the staff identify the orginial owner.
3. Just reading ML's letters.
4. Reading a letter written by a friend to the Todd sisters and learning that it was Mary's sister Ann Todd who was truly left at the altar on her wedding day.
5. Reading about a biography of Mary Lincoln that was written in the early 20th century but never published. (would love to find that manuscript)
6. Going through hundreds of letters and documents written between the families of Emilie Todd Helm and Robert Todd Lincoln. Reading the letters written by Mary Harlan Lincoln explaining in great detail why she made the decesion to bury RTL in Arlington. Reading the love letters between Emilie and her husband Bejamin Hardrin Helm. Knowing all of those letters and documents are now lost, and my copies (and copies I made for a friend and co-researcher) are all that remains of that collection. (but hoping the orginials surface someday)

It is impossible to choose one single moment as my favorite. Each is special, and each encourages me to keep looking for more details.