Vanessa WoodI’m happy to announce that my article “Two Doctors and A House: Dr. Andrew J. Harris and Dr. Clara E. (Olds) Harris, Osteopaths in Nashville, Tennessee” has been published in the Tennessee Genealogical Society‘s journal, Ansearchin’ News.
A Family Artifact Leads to Genealogical Research
As genealogists, we’re always drawn to family artifacts—but sometimes the most compelling stories come from items that aren’t even related to our own families. That’s exactly what happened when I spotted a 1908 postcard on eBay showing a Nashville house with people gathered on the porch and lawn.
Something about the photograph intrigued me. The handwritten message was simple: a young woman telling her friend where she was standing in the photo. But I couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to discover about the people in that image and the house they called home.
A Trip to the Archives in Nashville
What began as casual curiosity turned into months of detective work across multiple states and decades. I found myself tracing the lives of Dr. Andrew J. Harris and Dr. Clara E. (Olds) Harris, the osteopathic physicians who owned that Nashville home at the corner of Seifried Street and 24th Avenue.
Why This Story Matters
The Harrises’ story touches on so many themes that fascinate me as a genealogical researcher and writer:
- A woman medical practitioner in the early 1900s
- A husband and wife medical team
- How religious communities shaped healthcare practices
- The incredible mobility of American families during this era
- Forgotten philanthropy
- Friendships forged across half a continent
If you’re a Tennessee Genealogical Society member, you can read the full article in the current issue of Ansearchin’ News. For others interested in Tennessee history or genealogical methodology, I’d encourage you to consider joining this wonderful organization.
FEATURED IMAGE: Microsoft Copilot (Bing AI), Illustration of Two Dr. Harrises House, 30 June 2025, 9:00 PM. Adapted from photographic postcard in the author’s collection.
Illustration: Microsoft Copilot (Bing AI), Woman Writing at Desk Wearing Early 1900s Dress, 30 June 2025, 8:35 PM.
