Genealogy and Family Research

Genealogy is a passion.... you either have it or you don't. There is little in between. Those who research their family roots know what I mean. You spend an incredible amount of time looking through censuses, obituaries, websites relative to local history and family ties, and a myriad other documents. When you are not actually looking for a record or relative, you are thinking about a plan to discover more about one. Your friends and family who do not share the obsession are easily bored by your stories of your latest discovery, not fully understanding how you can get so excited about a distant relative you have never met.

I have been researching my family history for over 15 years. The journey started with asking my parents about their parents, and anything else they could remember about their ancestors. I recorded remembered names and dates...birth and death, as my parents recounted stories that they could remember. Unfortunately, like so many others who have started on this path, I didn't begin the process in time to ask the same questions of my grandparents and the older members of the family.  But the journey was not without reward, as discoveries were made and the family tree blossomed out into several generations. I learned the names of ancestors that my father and mother never knew in their lifetimes. And I also discovered that my family's roots reached deeper into the history of this country, including several patriots who fought in the Revolutionary War.  I also found relatives - cousins who share this passion and were also searching for our shared ancestors.

In addition to my own research, I have taught several classes in genealogy, educating others in the process of researching their own family tree. I provided others with direct instruction and guidance, and assisted numerous people in finding information about their relatives. When you are involved in genealogy, you like to infect others with the "bug" and derive great pleasure in their discoveries as well as your own.

There are many good blogs and websites on the Internet to learn techniques of genealogy, skills in searching specific record types, and the latest in technology and programs. In my blog, I won't attempt to replicate the efforts of those sites, though I may refer to some or provide links....in a Favorite Link of the Month sort of way. I will cover some of the over-looked topics and issues. Through this blog, I will share some of the joys of genealogy through recounting some of my own discoveries and those of my associates.  Perhaps these will inspire others in their research. And some of my family can share in the ride as I discover things about our family.