The hunt to trace my paternal grandfather's roots led me to Ancestry.com. Those wiggling leaves can be so exciting and initially yield bountiful relatives. It's the dead twigs that make me search and search again for my progenitors. Currently census records are available from 1790-1940. Discoveries of ancestors can be made in the US …
While not exactly an invite to dinner, this invitation somewhat fits the bill. It was nestled snuggly and compactly amongst receipts and tax records in the belongings of my in-law's progenitors. The paper is delicate. The creases are close to parting ways in some spots. 114 years later, the penciled handwriting still shows strong. I …
Not having run across any centurions in the family, I went with another aspect of the term. Endurance, perseverance and resilience come to mind. How did someone press on through a life situation. Searching back, my maternal 4th great-grandfather stands out. John Yost Meetze was born December 2, 1756 in Ederbringhausen, Hesse, Germany. Stories …
You would think this would be a simple task....my favorite photo. I look around my house and on my phone finding favorites of my husband, children and pets. But thinking about progenitors, this becomes a big task. I've amassed hundreds of photos. Most still in boxes or slowly deteriorating old albums. I began going through …
My dear friend and college roommate, Susan, and I share the pursuit of our ancestors. Over the past several years we have scoured small town libraries and courthouses. Visited the state archives numerous times. Traipsed through fields and forests in search of our ancestors’ final resting places. And gained much insight and wisdom from her …
