Thursday, December 30, 2010

WOO HOO!

I am pretty excited! I've been accepted as a presenter at the Family History Expo in St. George, Utah, in February. I will be making two presentations there. I am totally looking forward to being a part of this fun and informative event! Check it out.

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Mayflower Musings

How nice to have a day set aside to really pay attention to the things for which we can be thankful; like football, the parade, an overabundance of food, and our heritage!

Today, especially, many of us can look to the passengers of the famous Mayflower for examples of courage, endurance and faith. Through my parents, I am descended from at least 11 of those brave individuals. I love to read about them. Their stories are interesting and inspiring.

One of the things I learned about the Mayflower passengers recently, is that they were originally identified as 'saints' and 'strangers,' depending on their origins or reasons for making the voyage to America. Ultimately, however, any of them who survived the journey is considered a 'pilgrim.' I am descended from persons both saint and stranger.

If you would like to learn more about the Mayflower and her passengers, and possibly some of the more famous descendants of those passengers, I have included a list of links to very helpful sites. Be careful! You might find yourself reading and searching for a very long time. Enjoy, and be thankful!

Ancestry.com also has some great Mayflower resources (if you have access, from 'Search' drop-down box, select 'Card Catalog;' type 'Mayflower' into the keyword field)

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Thank you, Veterans!

These are pictures of some of the brave men in my family, and my husband's, who have served the United States of America at different times in our history. I am grateful to them for being willing to safeguard our freedoms with their lives, if needed. There are many others. Thank you!


Search military records free, today only at WorldVitalRecords.com

Monday, November 8, 2010

Out and About

My friend, Betty, and I have been researching her family history for about six and a half years. She has worked very hard to meet members of her extended family on both sides in an effort to learn as much as possible. Her goal is to publish a multi-volume family history. We are very close to having the first volume completed. We'll both be glad beyond words when that day comes!

On Friday, Betty and I ventured to Kirksville, Missouri, to meet yet another relation. We had a nice visit with Betty's mom, and a filling lunch at The Uptown Cafe on the square. I would recommend it for its friendly environment, fast service and tasty, down-home food!

Afterward, we visited with Betty's cousin, Linda. They are actually fourth cousins, with Lindsey Carson Montgomery being their common ancestor. These ladies were thrilled to spend three hours sharing data, stories and pictures. It was a lovely afternoon.

This is just about the first thing to do when you want to learn more about your family. After finding what you have in your own possession, talk to your relations. I have learned from experience that, no matter how many questions you ask, there will always be more. Learn what you can now!

Another thing I've learned from these traipsings about with Betty is that most people are just as interested in their families and meeting more relations as Betty is. Without exception, the people we've visited together have been happy to meet us (I'm not even related!), and were more than willing to talk about their own lives, at the very least.

Try it. What can happen? Someone might not want to talk to you? Oh, well! Find another - they're out there - in the woodwork. :)


Monday, November 1, 2010

Out and About

Over the weekend, my husband and I were out for a country drive. We like to explore 'scenic' routes leading generally toward our destination. I am continually on the lookout for cemeteries, of course! This time, my husband spotted one as I was looking the other way. Believe it, or not, he voluntarily turned around so I could wander and photo.
This cemetery has no identification, but is delightful! It made me think of the small cemeteries along the roads in Virginia. You just come upon them as you're driving along.

After a little bit of looking around on the internet, I discovered the name of the cemetery is Shull/Culp/Davidson. It is in Athens Township in Gentry County, Missouri, near Albany. I was able to take pictures of 17 headstones. From a couple of online databases (Cemetery Transcriptions for Worth & Gentry Co's MO) (Shull/Culp/Davidson Cemetery, Athens Township, Gentry Co., MO), it appears there are others buried there.



I will be posting all of the pictures I took on my Facebook site.


If you have family roots in Gentry County, Missouri, the GenWeb page is a great place to start.

Happy Hunting!

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Facebook Fan Page

So, today, I am setting up a Facebook Fan Page for my genealogy business. I hope this will get my information out to the whole world! Join me there :D