Genealogy

[DianaB]

Ever since we got our first computer I've been interested in genealogy. I'm not a true genealogist because I don't have a paper trail but I glean information from other people. It's been really interesting because I've "met" several distant family members and I've actually met one in person (who lives near Janet).

Anyway, I haven't been able to do much for the last couple of years because my old computer went down and I couldn't even turn it on (I was using my husband's computer). When I got my new laptop my husband took the old computer to a friend of ours and he was able to retrieve all of my family tree files! I was so excited!! I got them all put on my computer and was just messing around one day and I noticed someone asked a question about my husband's great-great-grandfather and his wife so I sent an e-mail. The question was dated quite a while ago so I wasn't sure if I'd get a reply since people change their e-mail addresses sometimes. He's actually interested in the wife's family.

Anyway, I got a response!! I have a lot of old family pictures that I'm sure that he's going to be really excited about!!! I have a chest that was made for my husband's great grandmother by her brother that is just full of family pictures!!! It's like a treasure! It's really not mine but belongs to my husband's cousin but she lives in a very small house. I don't know if she'll ever want it back or not. She also has another one that I need to go and see what's in it too!!

Last night I dug out the pictures and I have some really old tin-types and very old pictures to scan for him. I hope that he's as excited about receiving the pictures and information as I am to give it to him!!!

[teri88]

Oh, I love geneology. I sure wish I could find someone like you in our family! I'm the only one I've found so far who is doing it. It's fun, though, isn't it? Have you used familysearch.org? It's a free search site from the Mormon church. So, how far back have you gone? I've only got 5 generations on my mom's side and 4 on my father's side. Ireland wasn't great at keeping records, and everyone in my family was named Conway or Riley!

[goofywife]

Diana,

It is all very interesting. My sister took a class in college on geneology. It got my Mother started. She has been doing it now for well over 18 years. She has records going back to the early 1800's. We have muster rolls from the bor war (sp). They are even doing DNA testing for geneology.

[Forgivenmom5]

I have always wanted do do a search on mine and my kids background but I am not very good on the computer and haven't been able to do much. I am so glad you have been so succesful.

[Dobie]

One of my cousin's has traced out family tree back to the 1600's in France - I was amazed at all of the work that she had put into it.

[judy]

What an interesting thing to do! I love that get to meet and share family things with people who you never knew were part of your family!

[Emmsmom]

I would LOVE to traceback my roots. I just have no clue where to start. I am sure your husband will love all the old pics!!

[DianaB]

Originally Posted by Dobie

One of my cousin's has traced out family tree back to the 1600's in France - I was amazed at all of the work that she had put into it.

That's funny because I met a distant cousin that had our family traced back to France as well and it goes way far back too. I'd have to pull out my paper work to tell you how far. It just amazes me that people can find records and stuff that goes that far back!!!

[goofywife]

There is a ton of stuff in the LDS library. My Mom was a librarian for one of there local offices (she wasn't LDS).

I guess I should ad that she got the whole family upset with one of her discoveries. My Great Grandmother was buried in a paupers grave is Scotland instead of the family plot. Most of the family had moved to USA by then.

[janc]

My maiden name is Gunn and my grandparents were born and raised in Scotland. When I put Gunn and Scotland on Google it brings up all kinds of things dating back to 1000 AD. I've often thought about going to the LDS family center to look up my ancestors but haven't found the time to yet. They're suppose to have the most info of anyone and if you don't want to have them tell you about their church, you just have to say so and they won't mention religion again.

[Janet]

Diana that is great that you have all the old photos. You're going to make this guy really happy by sharing with him.

[Tink]

MY mothers sister married my Dads brother... so their children have the exact same ancestry on both sides that I do. One of them has been researching the families for many years and supposedly has traced back to the 1500's in Norway (they all immigrated to the US around 1800). Seems most of our ancestors were farmers, fishermen, carpenters and such. No royalty to get snooty about. lol

[goofywife]

If he is anything like my Mom, he will be excited to get them. Its like uncovering buried treasure.

Originally Posted by DianaB

I hope that he's as excited about receiving the pictures and information as I am to give it to him!!!

[DianaB]

Originally Posted by Tink

...... No royalty to get snooty about. lol

I've heard that my maternal great-grandmother came from a very well-to-do family but I haven't found anything on her yet. I think that I'm going to have to get a birth, death, or wedding certificate to figure it out. It's just all so very interesting!

[2tiredmom]

Diana,
What a fun thing to do. I can get on here and do that I have gone all the way back to the 1700's. My great great great great grandfather over in Ireland.
I love doing that.
Have fun. It's so exciting.