Susan Alexander, a 76-year-old retiree from Vermont, embarked on a journey through her family’s history, revealing a connection to the Battle of Gettysburg. Alexander, originally from Philadelphia’s Main Line, has always felt linked to Gettysburg. Her grandfather, Grover Cleveland Thompson, was born near Gettysburg, making the place special to her.
Alexander’s curiosity in her ancestry began in Los Angeles during the 1970s while she was involved in local bands, attended college, and pursued journalism. Inspired by a friend’s interest in genealogy, she explored her heritage starting with her grandparents’ names and birth details at the Family History Center in West Los Angeles. Census records led her deeper into her family’s history.
Years later, the internet expanded her research capabilities through MyHeritage, connecting her with relatives and accessing historical records, including archives from The Gettysburg Times and The Gettysburg Compiler.
Through extensive research, Alexander discovered the story of Bill Thompson, an English-born Union soldier wounded during the Battle of Gettysburg. Thompson met Margaret Slonaker while recuperating after the battle; she was a nurse from Adams County. An unexpected romance developed between them in the midst of the chaos.
Thompson later returned to service, but after the Civil War ended, he came back to Gettysburg to propose to Slonaker. He married her in 1866 and adopted her son, Alexander’s great-grandfather, forming a family in Pennsylvania. Thompson eventually became a respected citizen in Carlisle.
Alexander’s ancestry exploration also uncovered ties to the American Revolution, including her fifth-great-grandfather James Alexander who served at Valley Forge, and her ancestor Hugh who was a member of the Continental Congress.
The story of Thompson and Slonaker has deeply impacted Alexander’s feelings towards Gettysburg, enriching her visits to the historical sites associated with them. Her genealogy journey has shown her the enduring intrigue of family history and the power of love through time.