An American Journey The Chronicles of the Shearers and the Kellys

Without stories our ancestors are just faceless names on tombstones in empty fields. The story of the Shearers and the Kelly's illustrate the fiber of the people that built our nation at a time when people couldn't turn to the government for assistance. People had to live by their wits. This collection of first hand stories handed down over several generations allows us to see history through the eyes of a family. Samuel Kelly started collecting family interviews in the early 1970's his son David continued with more interviews and research. Together they traveled the U.S. and Mexico retracing history. There is much to learn for the generations of our elders. If we fail to record their experience then their lessons are sealed in their grave with them and we'll be cursed to painfully relearn them.

David Kelly served in the U.S. Army in Central American, Kosovo, and Afghanistan. He graduated from Cal Poly San Louis Obispo and was a Civil Engineer. Together with his father traveled around the U.S. and Mexico researching the family history.