After the episode with the baby book, we began to gather information in earnest from other family members. When we would visit with our parents and with older relatives, we would jot down on random pieces of paper what little information that they shared. Our search started before the popularity of the Internet so we copied chart outlines from books and filled in names and dates as we begin to piece together our family history puzzle.
We quickly realized that even uncovering accurate dates of birth, places of birth and yes, even full names was going to be much more difficult than we ever dreamed. Over the years, we erased a lot of information in these manual charts, ripped them up and started all over again. We made trips to the local genealogy library and more information came to light. We made hundreds of photocopies at the library, not even sure that we were photocopying information on the right ancestor. And we created file folders and filled them with those photocopies along with charts and random notes. We visited local cemeteries and paid our respects but this was before the days of digital cameras so we didn't even think to take a camera and take pictures of headstones.
As the computer age began to grow, we quickly embraced this new technology. One of our smartest investments was to find a computer program to start collecting all our family history information. We were fortunate and found Family Tree Maker very early on and then began the laborious process of transcribing all that earlier information into Family Tree Maker. We had little documentation and very little source information but continued to plow ahead with our quest.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Our Family Search
When our daughter was born 23 years ago and we went to fill in the family history in her baby book, we had no idea where to even begin. The information that we did not know was much more than the information that we knew. And, so our family history search began.
From simple names in a baby book to a research quest that never ends. Our family tree now includes 33 generations, 2876 individuals (and ever increasing), 718 surnames and dates going back to 1050.
The names and dates are but the starting point; filling in the history and backgrounds and finding out about the lives of our ancestors is fascinating and compelling and borders on the addictive. The Internet has opened up new avenues of research but much of it is still excruciating. The ancestor you are looking for eludes you while mountains of information about the ancestors who you aren't actively searching for assault you at every turn. You meet new cousins and everyones lives are enriched by the sharing.
It has been my experience that people who are doing family history research are some of the most giving individuals I have ever met. Everyone is always so quick to share and to give you hints and ideas on where to search next. Sometimes all it takes is one small clue for all the puzzle pieces to start falling into place.
Family history research is exhilarating and frustrating all in the same moment. While I am still actively searching, it is time to selectively post some of our information in a forum that can be easily accessed by other family members. This is a work in progress and will continue to evolve over time.
Some of our surnames have been researched by professionals and much of their information has been in the public domain for many years. Other surnames haven't yet had the same amount of time and dedication by professional resources. We'll be starting with the names closest to us and will include Fill, Horbal, Hayes, Shell, McCullough, Muse, Pendleton and others.
We hope you visit often and enjoy the information and the stories that we share.
From simple names in a baby book to a research quest that never ends. Our family tree now includes 33 generations, 2876 individuals (and ever increasing), 718 surnames and dates going back to 1050.
The names and dates are but the starting point; filling in the history and backgrounds and finding out about the lives of our ancestors is fascinating and compelling and borders on the addictive. The Internet has opened up new avenues of research but much of it is still excruciating. The ancestor you are looking for eludes you while mountains of information about the ancestors who you aren't actively searching for assault you at every turn. You meet new cousins and everyones lives are enriched by the sharing.
It has been my experience that people who are doing family history research are some of the most giving individuals I have ever met. Everyone is always so quick to share and to give you hints and ideas on where to search next. Sometimes all it takes is one small clue for all the puzzle pieces to start falling into place.
Family history research is exhilarating and frustrating all in the same moment. While I am still actively searching, it is time to selectively post some of our information in a forum that can be easily accessed by other family members. This is a work in progress and will continue to evolve over time.
Some of our surnames have been researched by professionals and much of their information has been in the public domain for many years. Other surnames haven't yet had the same amount of time and dedication by professional resources. We'll be starting with the names closest to us and will include Fill, Horbal, Hayes, Shell, McCullough, Muse, Pendleton and others.
We hope you visit often and enjoy the information and the stories that we share.
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