Everyone has a story
In researching our family history I have discovered that we have a rich heritage in every branch of our family tree. I take great pride in knowing that while our ancestors were not famous and notable people in history, they were the backbone of the country. The pioneer settlers, the farmers, the ranchers, the coal miners, the soldiers, the teachers, the carpenters, the law officers, the factory workers, …. the everyday people who made this country what it is today. They were people who will never have novels, movies or songs written about them. They were simple, hard working people who deserve to be remembered by the people who’s lives they shaped. I hope to share with you the kind of people that they were and to give a humble attempt at trying to tell at least a small part of their story.
I’m starting by creating a post for every generation of my grandparents that I have found. There is a menu below with a link added to each post as they are set up. With each of these posts I will begin by adding a family group sheet using the MRIN format. This will give basic information about the husband, wife and names of known children. I will then go back and add my sources and after that I will attempt to put together a story about their lives using those sources.
I link to sources on the web. Most of these sources are on free websites, but do require a log in/password to view the information I link to. These are trusted sites that I have been using for years. I would suggest that if you do not already have an account set up on the following websites that you do so now. The pay sites do have some free information. There is no cost to set up an account – just bypass the membership stuff. These are fantastic and vital resources for your family history research. These are free websites or free sections to pay websites. If I have a source that is only available on a pay website and I cannot post the image here due to copyright laws, then I will transcribe it.
- Find A Grave: www.findagrave.com FREE
- Family Search: www.familysearch.org FREE
- Ancestry.com: www.ancestry.com PAY SITE – Offers a 14 day FREE TRIAL
- Fold3.com: www.fold3.com PAY SITE – Offers a 7 day FREE TRIAL
There has been nearly two decades, countless hours, and a small fortune spent in gathering the information that will be included here. So please, don’t just copy and paste all of my hard work as your own. You are welcome to link to this blog if you use my work. I ask this not only to give credit where credit is due, but for the connections that may be made with another branch of our family. Remember to always do your own due diligence and verify the information for yourself. Below is a list of my direct line ancestors as far back as I have been able to trace for 3 of my grandparents. There will be more information on other marriages/relationship and other children at a later time.
