Lisa, I had the pleasure of meeting you and Charlie at one of the Princeton Traditional Music Festivals, and I really enjoy reading your article and learning more about you.

My more 'mongrel' folk roots came from the "Fireside Book of Popular Songs".(only later did I find that Fireside Book of Folk Songs") ..which had quite a few songs that would now be considered folk songs.   That plus songs we'd sing in school (do kids still learn those?).   Then the American/Canadian 'hootenanny' folk revival, listening to The Chad Mitchell Trio, Peter Paul and Mary, Kingston Trio, and The Brothers Four, Alan Lomax, and Pete Seeger. That took me to the public library where I discovered the New Lost City Ramblers.......and then I'd search for the 'roots' of much of that music.   Discovered lots of old timey music plus Leadbelly, and the Lomax connections.   

I wonder how many children today are able to have that experience that you describe of learning those songs directly from family?