It is a fictional account originating from Pruitt’s recollection of her grandmother, Melissa Jordan Knight. It is a fictional story told in the historical era as the background of when she came and settled in Nebraska.

In an email exchange, Haggerty and Burton talked about the book.

The book is about a young couple, Bruce and Vi, who move from Canada to Humphrey to start a family farm. Their journey is filled with the challenges and triumphs of building a life in an unfamiliar land. The story explores their legacy through subsequent generations, all of whom remain deeply connected to farming despite the many hardships they face. It’s a tale of courage, resilience and the enduring love for family and community.

The book reflects the universal appeal of pioneering life, capturing the hopes, struggles and triumphs of settlers in the American Midwest. It’s more than just a story about farming — it’s about perseverance, love and the sacrifices that build strong families and communities. Readers will feel transported to a time when hard work and determination were the cornerstones of life.

What inspired you to write it?

Our mother, Mina P. Barry, inspired this book. She was a kind and resourceful woman whose character was shaped by her upbringing on a Nebraska farm during the Great Depression. After high school, she moved to the East Coast to find work, and she married and raised seven children. Despite her busy life, she dreamed of writing this story but never completed it.

After her passing, her manuscript was discovered in the attic. The sincerity and beauty of her writing and how it reflected not just her life, but the historical context of the era, were evident. It was a realistic and heartfelt story that needed to be shared. Susan and Pat eventually rewrote and completed the book, ensuring that Mina’s voice and vision remained intact. This project was a labor of love, spanning generations, with its origins dating back to 1938 and completion in 2018.

Mina’s story uniquely captures the values of the Great Depression era — resilience, resourcefulness and kindness. Her manuscript was an honest reflection of a life shaped by hardship yet filled with hope and love. Completing the book honored her legacy and brought her voice, which was deeply connected to history and humanity, to life for future generations.

What do you hope readers get from it?

We hope readers enjoy a simple yet meaningful story of pioneering life in America. The characters are relatable, reflecting the universal struggles and triumphs of everyday people. It’s a realistic tale of human behavior and emotions, showing how families navigate their challenges with courage and love.

The story highlights the beauty of ordinary lives, the resilience of middle-class families and the quiet heroism of those who dedicate themselves to farming, community and family.

Beyond enjoying a good read, we hope readers find comfort and inspiration in the story’s portrayal of ordinary people living extraordinary lives. The book also offers a window into the values of the past, such as hard work, loyalty and love for the land, which are still relevant today. It’s a testament to the enduring strength of the human spirit.

Why is this story important to you?

This story is important because it gives voice to ordinary people whose lives are often overlooked. It showcases the extraordinary in the everyday — like farming in the harsh Nebraska climate or maintaining family bonds despite adversity. These are stories worth telling because they remind us of the strength and determination found in so many lives.

The book highlights themes that resonate today, such as the importance of community, the dignity of labor and the ability to overcome challenges with courage. For readers who might feel their own stories are ordinary, “The Jordans’ Journey” shows that every life, no matter how simple, has extraordinary value.

Talk about the main people and topics in the book.

The main characters include Bruce and Vi, their daughter, Faune, and her husband, Paul, and their granddaughter, Jane. Each generation faces its own challenges while staying deeply connected to farming and family values.

— The courage of youth to carve their own paths (e.g., Bruce and Vi’s move, Faune and Paul’s love story, Jane’s determination to continue farming in lieu of college).

— Historical events (e.g., interaction with the Pawnee, the advent of cars and railroads, the impact of wars).

— Community and resourcefulness (e.g., collective harvesting, Bruce’s multiple roles as blacksmith, letter carrier and farmer).

— The beauty of simplicity (e.g., descriptions of the land, the meals prepared with love).

— The idea that ordinary people living ordinary lives are, in fact, extraordinary when you look closely.

Specific examples from the book make the themes come alive:

— Young love: Faune and Paul’s tender relationship shows the timeless nature of finding love and building a life together.

— Community strength: The 50-year anniversary celebration is a beautiful depiction of how families and neighbors come together to honor shared achievements.

— Courage: Jane’s decision to continue farming despite the odds mirrors Bruce and Vi’s determination to create a life from scratch.

— Challenges: Ron’s troubled life and Randy’s untimely death remind us of the fragility of life, while Bruce’s many roles reflect how people adapted to survive and thrive.

Why will readers with no connection to your family enjoy this book?

It isn’t just a story about our family — it’s a story about every pioneer family who settled in Humphrey and the Midwest in the early 1900s. It captures the universal experience of ordinary people facing extraordinary challenges, showing their courage, love and resilience. Readers will relate to the timeless themes of family, community and perseverance.

Again, this book isn’t just about one family — it’s a tribute to all pioneer families and their struggles. It’s a story that resonates with anyone who values history, perseverance and the beauty of life’s simple joys. The historical context, relatable characters and universal themes make it an engaging read for a broad audience.

Where can readers purchase a copy?

The book is available as an ebook on Google Books. Ten percent of all sales are donated to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. The easiest way to purchase it is through www.thejordanfamilyjourneys.com.

The buyer will be supporting a meaningful cause while enjoying a heartfelt story of courage and resilience.

Mina Pruitt was born on May 1,1920, in Humphrey. She lived on a farm with her parents and maternal grandmother, Melissa Jordan Knight, who was Mina’s primary source of information about life on the prairie, as Melissa was born and raised in a pioneer family.

Mina graduated from high school in 1938 and, although a recipient of several college scholarships, she entered the workforce because of the economic climate of the times. She left Nebraska immediately after graduation and secured a position as a journalist at The Daily Chief, a newspaper in Perry, Iowa. Mina eventually became the society editor and remained with the paper until 1941. It was during her tenure at the paper that Mina wrote the novel, “The Jordans’ Journey,” basing it largely on her grandmother’s experiences.

By 1942, Mina moved to Washington, D.C., where she was an administrative assistant to Mr. Whitehead in J. Edgar Hoover’s office. In Washington, Mina met and married John F. Barry. They settled in Sayville, New York, where they raised seven children. Mina continued using her literary skills in her involvement in both her community and church.

By 1965, Mina had accrued her real estate license, eventually becoming a broker and owning a successful agency. During this time, Mina did all the listing copy for her advertising. She ran this business until her death in 1978.

In 2014, two of Mina’s daughters, Patricia Barry Haggerty and Susan Barry Burton, were asked by their brother John Barry to revise their mother’s manuscript. They authored the present book based on Mina’s original story.

Patricia Barry Haggerty is a retired New York State certified teacher. Her career spanned 33 years. Susan Barry Burton also is a retired New York State certified teacher, having worked in public schools for 35 years.