Most history books focus on the powerful, but this 27-minute video posted on August 14, 2026 by Genealogist Eric Ostroff, shifts the lens toward the everyday experiences of individuals. Examine the historical narrative of ordinary lives often left out of official records. See how 17th-century history shapes our view of the past through specific family archives. By looking at primary sources, one can reconstruct the lives of people who would otherwise be forgotten by time. This is essential viewing for anyone interested in genealogical research or the realities of daily life in colonial America.

In the video, Ostroff analyzes the 1663 marriage of Martha and Samuel Howe to illustrate how historical records can preserve personal details.

Learn about the social context of their union, including the land gift provided by Martha’s father, John Bent. Understanding these specific colonial marriage customs provides a clearer picture of how wealth and property were transferred outside of high-level political events.

The Wayside Inn (above, center), the oldest operating inn in the United States, was made famous by the poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow who used it as the setting for his 1863 collection of poems. But the Inn’s history begins long before Longfellow with David How, the son of Samuel and Martha How.