Family history became important to me when I was just a child. I loved hanging out with my grandparents and hearing stories of their lives. How they met, where they lived and where they worked. My paternal grandmother was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution who taught me the basic techniques of genealogy. She was a first-grade teacher and eager for me to carry on the research. I heard stories about my ancestors emigrating from Germany, Scotland, Sweden and Canada.
In no time I had a sizeable family tree chart filled in. The local libraries and Salt Lake City Family History Library [https://www.familysearch.org/help/fhcenters/locations/saltlakecity-library] were my favorite spots. I learned to inter-library loan items and wrote many letters seeking vital documents. With each bit of information it answered some questions and raised others. I requested old photographs and letters from family members and the pictures brought my family names to life!
One challenge was that I knew my dad was adopted. Of course, I claimed his “grafted adopted tree” but wondered fiercely about his biological roots. What nationality? What medical conditions were looming in my dna? A thirty-year search revealed answers when a DNA test proved who his birth mother and birth father were. Along the way I learned a lot about adoption related searching.
This People Story blog is my effort to research and record legacy stories. Each of us has a unique story and I have enjoyed helping others find theirs. Perhaps you have questions about your family that I could help you find. So today I ask, may I help you write your family history story?
Geneographer 