Society of the Ingalls Family, continuing the Legacy of Laura Ingalls Wilder
I am a member of the Ingalls family and, by lineage, among the closest living relatives of Laura Ingalls Wilder today. My great-great-grandfather was Lansford James Ingalls, known as James during his lifetime, one of the brothers of Charles Ingalls, affectionately remembered by generations of readers as “Pa.” This connection is more than genealogical for me; it is personal, living, and deeply meaningful.
One of the most remarkable and unexpected gifts of forming the Society of the Ingalls Family has been discovering and connecting with other descendants of Lansford James Ingalls and his wife, Sarah. These encounters have transformed names on a family tree into real people, family members, each carrying pieces of our shared history forward. It has reinforced my belief that our story is not finished; it is still being written.
Professionally, my career was rooted in project management, primarily within the technology industry. While that work was fulfilling in many ways, retirement opened the door to a long-held desire: to follow, in my own way, in Laura’s footsteps and tell the stories of our family. Writing became the bridge between past and present. My first book, Ingalls on the Prairie, tells the story of my parents, Gene and Fern Ingalls, capturing the early days and everyday lives of another generation of our family, ordinary people living meaningful lives, just as Laura once documented.
Today, I continue that work as a writer and storyteller, with three published books, a monthly magazine, and regular contributions across social media platforms. Through these outlets, I share not only family history, but the lived experiences of our time, stories that future generations might otherwise never know.
When I was approached about helping to create a Society dedicated to the Ingalls family and to preserving this important thread of American history, it required very little persuasion. I stepped forward eagerly, knowing this was both a responsibility and an opportunity. This Society is not just about honoring the past; it is about preserving the present for the future.
Fifty years from now, people will look back at those of us who believed in this mission and had the courage to begin. They will want to know who we were, how we lived, what we valued, and what mattered enough to preserve. How extraordinary that they will be able to read our words, see our faces, and understand our lives through the stories and photographs we leave behind.
Want to share your story or the story of a family member? Reach out to me here or at any of my social media accounts. You can find the Society of the Ingalls family on Facebook or Instagram at societyoftheingallsfamily.
That is why I do this.
I do it for them.
