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If you’re ever in need of Poetry on Demand, you’ll definitely want to contact GOLO member, Historians_13th. This long-time GOLO member has had his share of ups and downs, but his staying power is unparallel and his friendliness, unmatched. I had the pleasure of meeting him in person at the GOLO birthday bash and now it’s your turn. Meet, Historians_13th.

Angela: You are quite the poet on GOLO, where does that poetry come from?

Historians_13th: Well, it comes from the heart. It may be a week or two before I write but sometimes something will hit me just right…but it always comes from the heart.

Angela: Did you start as a young boy? Perhaps writing love letters?

Historians_13th: No actually it didn’t start until I was in my thirties. It just came about from my interests in genealogy and writing about family members and it blossomed from there.

Angela: What inspired that first poem? 

Historians_13th: I don’t recall right off hand

Angela: What inspires you now?

Historians_13th: Well, it can be something someone says or I might see someone being picked on and I want to make them feel better. Sometimes it’s a birthday and recently it was Father’s Day.

 I had a friend back home whose daughter got killed and I wrote one for him. They’re all heartfelt.

Angela: Being a man of such compassion, who would you have perform your eulogy?

Historians_13th: My favorite poet is Poe, but he’s long gone.

Angela: How did you come to care so much about genealogy?

Historians_13th: It was one of the few things me and my dad did together. We didn’t get to see each other very much when I was growing up. He worked two jobs and sometimes he worked three.

Angela: Are you a North Carolina native?

Historians_13th: No. I was born in Kentucky. My family was here before the Revolution, in the early 16th century. Right around Williamsburg.

Angela: How much more do you know about your own history?

Historians_13th: I’ve got some traced all the way back to the 13th century.

Angela: Wow. Tell me about it.  

Historians_13th: That part of my family was in the Lombardi region of Italy and they kept fighting back and forth for control of the area. My family controlled it for about 50 or 60 years and they eventually were defeated and another family took control.

My ancestors retreated back to the Northern Mountains of Italy and then to the Swiss Alps and then settled into an area called Soglio, Switzerland. I’ve even seen the records documenting the deal they made with a gentleman to come to the United States.

Angela: When was that? 

Historians_13th: They came one a ship called The Oliver in 1738.

Angela: How important is it for people to learn their history if they can?

Historians_13th: It’s very important to know where you came from. Even in the bible you can see it was important at one time because they kept a genealogical record.

Angela: How much work goes into delving into your history?

Historians_13th: I don’t consider it work. It’s like a game, like being a detective. You never know what you’re going to find or where you’re going to get stumped.

My 6th great grandfather was an uncle to Andrew Jackson. My 6th great grandmother was the sister of Andrew Jackson’s mother. They took Andrew Jackson and his mother in and helped raise him.

Angela: That’s amazing. Do you do this for a living?

Historians_13th: Oh no. I don’t think there’s much money in it.

Angela: Let’s talk GOLO. There’s often talk about “promotions”

Historians_13th: I coined that phrase.

Angela: According to your screen name you’re on 13. Is that your actual number?

Historians_13th: Oh no, its way more than that.

Angela: Why do you stay on GOLO?

Historians_13th: I love people. I love making friends. It’s what’s important to me. Family and friends. Sometimes you’re disappointed but most people are good at heart.

Angela: What were you like as a teenager?

Historians_13th: As a teenager I was normal. I liked playing football and baseball the best. I was in the Young Historians Club. I originally planned to go to school and become a doctor. But those plans changed mainly due to money. I had the brains for it, just didn’t have the money to go with it.

Angela: What kind of doctor would you have become?

Historians_13th: General Practice.

Angela: Do you ever regret not fulfilling that dream?

Historians_13th: Sometimes, but I have no regrets. I’ve done anything the best I could. I made my choices and take credit for my accomplishments. My children are my greatest accomplishments.

Angela: Do they like history as much as you?

Historians_13th: Sort of…

Angela: Tell me two of the most significant historical events.

Historians_13th: The American Revolution and defeating Germany in WWII.

Angela: So if those two events hadn’t happened…?

Historians_13th: We’d be speaking Bloody English, or possibly German.

(We laugh)

Angela: Do you ever let your hair down?

Historians_13th: Oh yeah, but I don’t have much hair so I let it all the way down.

Angela: Tell me about something that got you into trouble.

Historians_13th: I’ve never been in trouble…

Angela: Awww, come on.

Historians_13th: I did get into an altercation with my high school principal and super glued his windshield wipers to his windshield.

Angela: Was that satisfying?

Historians_13th: It rained that afternoon, so I’d have to say it was a “win-win.”

Angela: What do people think of you after they meet you for the first time?

Historians_13th: They are really surprised. They’re expecting George Washington.

Angela: Do you resemble him?

Historians_13th: Not at all. I look more like a like a bald-headed Benjamin Franklin.

Angela: Do you have any secret habits?

Historians_13th: I collect antiques. I go to auctions but my house is totally furnished.

Angela: If you died tomorrow, would you feel good about the life you’ve lived?

Historians_13th: Oh yeah. I’m a success because of my children. Like Mark Twain said, “Let us endeavor so to live that when we come to die even the undertaker will be sorry.”

Angela: In your case, I think he just might. It's been a pleasure...

Historians_13th: Thanks!

Editor's Note: The earlier version of this interview indicated that Historians is an NC Native. He is not, and that part has been corrected.  -Angela