Thursday, March 7, 2013

A Revolutionary Challenge - Following Judy's Lead

Can you imagine viewing the face of someone who witnessed the Revolutionary War? It seems far fetched doesn't it? Not to mention distant and long ago.  Now imagine a child who has little sense of time viewing that picture and imagining the world of possibilities as they create in their mind a story of the birth of the United States. What an incredible way to spark the curiosity of children and adults and give the Revolutionary War and its witnesses a living voice!

A week ago Photo Detective Maureen Taylor and Verissima Productions initiated a Kickstarter campaign to provide seed money for an ambitious project. (For those of you who don't know what Kickstarter is read a quick description from their website.)

Maureen Taylor wants to bring the face of the Revolutionary Era to a documentary.

Check out this video to see what it's all about:



Not long after, Judy Russell, CG, author of the Legal Genealogist blog, presented a challenge offering to match the donation of the first 50 contributors with a $5 pledge of her own.  Please read Judy's post to learn her story and why this was so important to her.

Judy reached her goal!

I don't want that momentum to fade!

I am willing to provide a $5 match, just as Judy did, for the first 40 people who become a backer for the Revolutionary Voices Kickstarter project. All you have to do is donate $1 minimum and I will provide a $5 match.  Then leave a comment on this post or send me an email and let me know about your pledge. After 40 people contribute at least $1 to the kickstarter campaign I will contribute another $200 to the project.

Some people have been having fun with their pledges. Maureen mentioned that she had received a pledge for $17.76 and another for $1776.  Now that's getting into the spirit!

DONATE HERE

Why am I doing this?

Do I have the extra money just lying around to do this? No, not really. But this kind of project is important to me.  Life is a participation sport and this is the kind of legacy I want to leave behind. I want people to say "Marian helped with that!" and "Preserving history is the kind of thing that Marian got passionate about!" Add in a mix of old photographs and the Revolutionary War and what could be more perfect and meaningful?

I hope you'll follow Judy's inspiration and help me contribute even more to this project!

Foot note:
Is there anyone after me who will take up the mantel after my pledge drive is done? Let's keep the momentum going!


22 comments:

  1. Just got my first pledge via email!! 39 to go!

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  2. This is a great project!!! I think it should be done on so many levels. Thank you for your imagination, passion and drive!

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  3. Great idea! Hope you get lots of response to this!

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    1. Thanks and thanks for your pledge! 30 to go!

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  4. I received an email about pledge #2! Thank you and keep it going! 38 to go!

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  5. Just made my pledge. My 4th great-grandfather was a surgeon in the Revolutionary War, so this project is especially exciting to me. Thank you!

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    1. Thanks Jana! Really appreciate it! I have some Revolutionary War ancestors as well. Love the thought of seeing photos of people connected to that time period. 37 to go!

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  6. Another person sent me a direct message on twitter. Thank you so much to everyone who is making a pledge. This is a terrific project. 36 to go!

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  7. Just pledged! I saw the video this morning and was very moved by her project. Even though my ancestors came to this country much later, it's thanks to these amazing people that America is what it is today! Thanks for taking the lead on this Marian. Happy to support you. You matching pledge is amazing!

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    1. Thank you so much Smadar! I so appreciate the support! I hope we can get to 40 supporters. 35 to go!

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  8. I saw this project before, but now you have focused my mind on it. A worthy project. I'm going to donate $25 now, wish I could afford more!

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    1. Thank you so much Mariann! $25 is a great contribution! Really appreciate it! 34 to go!

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  9. OK, I see it was a pledge through Amazon. That's interesting! I just pledged the $25. Hope this project gets done! I just got into the DAR, and wish we had pictures from that time.

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  10. Marian, I love this project and look forward to seeing the film. I just donated $25. Thanks for getting out the word and your contribution to getting this done.

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    1. Rachelle,

      Thank you so much! We are inching closer to the goal! 33 to go!

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  11. I just went through Amazon too so I hope the pledge gets to your help in the project. One man I am studying was in my husband's line. He was a Hessian soldier who became a patriot in 1782 when he pledge an oath to be a citizen in Pennsylvania.

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    1. Yes, I went through Amazon as well. I've never seen anything done like that before but I guess it makes sense. Thanks so much for your pledge! 32 to go!

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  12. I just read an email that a friend in Utah pledged. Thank you so much! 31 to go!

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  13. What a great project! Even though my ancestors were from Acadia and Quebec, some fought in the Revolutionary War. I hope many more people get on this band wagon.

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  14. I just pledged $25, Marian! Hope I'm not too late for your match. What a great project to support.

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