A Phone Call Brings Surprising Information

When the phone rings after 9 p.m., I know it isn’t either of our children. They are already in bed.

Usually, it is someone checking on our health insurance, car warranty, or electric company. One night, about a year ago, I looked at the caller ID and saw a name. It was no one I recognized but I was curious and answered.

“Is this Linda Gail Clapper Williams?” a male voice asked.

Since he knew my maiden name, I answered in the affirmative. He was a genealogist calling to tell me I was a direct descendant of Benjamin Rush, who signed the Declaration of Independence.

I faintly remembered seeing a...