The book "Rooted" chronicles the lives of a pioneering American family over a fifty-year time span, beginning in the 1970s and ending on a tragic day in 1923. It is the story of Amos and Hannah Root, who traveled west from Indiana in 1871 in search of the perfect place to settle. Their journey began with a secret elopement to a neighboring town, and continued to Chicago, where, owing to the completion of the two-year old transcontinental railroad system, they were able to board a train for San Francisco. However, Amos and Hannah were bound for Oregon, where they spent time in two different locations before fleeing from a reported Indian uprising. Eventually the couple purchased farm ground near the tiny village of Mosier, Oregon, where they lived for 45 years, improving their farm, rearing eight children, and becoming an integral part of their small community.
"Rooted" explores the genealogy of Amos and Hannah, relating details of the lives of their ancestors as they fled religious persecutions and crossed oceans to new lands, where they worked hard to build meaningful lives. It is fascinating to see personality traits passed down through generations. The lives of Amos and Hannah are explored using memoirs written by family members, as well as numerous articles from historic newspapers. Old black and white family photos complete the depiction of small-town life and allow us to merge names and faces. This book serves as an impetus for others who wish to honor their forebears with a record of family history.
