Cecil Moore’s passion for genealogy and local history began at just 14 years old, sparked by his mother, Irene Nuckolls Moore. A dedicated writer herself, Irene meticulously documented the genealogies of families in North Marshall and surrounding areas, leaving behind a wealth of research and personal reflections.
Among her unpublished writings was a manuscript she titled I Lived by the Railroad All My Life. Inspired by her work and driven by his own curiosity, Cecil spent decades researching, compiling, and writing—culminating in the publication of his book, The View From the Other Side of the Tracks. After 70 years of dedication, Cecil saw his lifelong labor of love come to fruition at the age of 84.
On Thursday afternoon, the Marshall County Public Library in Calvert City hosted a book signing event, drawing a large crowd eager to purchase copies, meet the author, and hear his insights firsthand.
“I hope you enjoy the book,” Cecil told the gathered audience. “A lot of families in this area are covered. My mother kept a diary all her life—she was born in 1914. The first 70 or so pages I comment on her part, and the book is 355 pages.”
Cecil’s work goes beyond family histories; he intertwines national events with local narratives, exploring connections to the Jackson Purchase, the Lewis and Clark Expedition, and the New Madrid Earthquake.
“I cover the Jackson Purchase—the families that came here on land grants, who they were, where they came from, and what they did when they got here,” Cecil explained.
Beyond history, Cecil is well known in the community for his unwavering support of Marshall County basketball. A front-row fixture at home games, he has held season tickets alongside his longtime friend, Gerald Jessup, since 1960.
“Gerald and I bought chair seats at North Marshall in 1960,” Cecil shared. “When they built the new high school gym in 1977, they let us pick our seats first, and we chose them right in the middle—side by side. We’ve sat together for 60 years.”
Cecil talks in the book about the bloodlines of some of the basketball greats this area has produced.
Their bond extends beyond the court. “Gerald and I buried our wives together, and we’ll be buried together, too,” Cecil said with a smile. “What I was thinking is—how in the world will Jessup know what’s going on if I’m not there to tell him?”
Reflecting on his lifelong project, Cecil added, “I started writing this book when I was 14 and finished at 84. I figured that was long enough.”
The View From the Other Side of the Tracks is available for purchase on Amazon.
