Category Archives: Family History

My Oldest Ancestor

Stina Split Stina Split.   I remember the name clearly.  I was a very young, inexperienced searcher eager with anticipation as a library assistant helped me find the microfilm index and I ordered a film of Swedish Clerical Survey Records. Researching my maternal line, I found the surname APPLEQUIST to be very interesting.  It was easyContinue reading “My Oldest Ancestor”

Back to School

Mrs. Glenn A. Rogers, 1st grade teacheraka Irma Elizabeth (Fewell) Rogers A 1988 Walla Walla Newspaper article about her stated “Mrs. Rogers called the photograph of a class of first-graders “my little treasures.”  Teaching at Sharpstein School from 1951 to 1969 she estimates she taught nearly 600 pupils. To celebrate her 80th birthday her familyContinue reading “Back to School”

Christmas at the Children’s Home

This holiday season my mind turns to the children who were at the “Children’s Home” in Lamoni, Iowa for Christmas 1912.  As reported in a church publication, 37 children were in attendance.  Who were these children?  Where were their parents?  My wish for Christmas is to know more about the children in this story. ChristmasContinue reading “Christmas at the Children’s Home”

Military History in Newspapers

With Veterans Day approaching, I want to honor all those that served in the military.  Here are a few ideas of what you might find about your ancestors while searching in newspapers. Many newspapers in the Civil War era published a “Sons Letter Home.”[Thomas Canfield, Fayetteville Semi-Weekly Observer, (Fayette, NC) 12 Sep 1861, Thu p2]Continue reading “Military History in Newspapers”

Records, Records, Records

Whenever I have visited the Family History Genealogy Library in Salt Lake City, Utah (SLC), I have felt like it is genealogy-heaven!  Rows and rows of books, microfilm and microfilm readers.  What is microfilm you ask?  It is a film-roll containing microphotographs of documents  One roll of film may contain more than 2,000 images.  TheseContinue reading “Records, Records, Records”

Olympic History

Finally, the Olympics!  As if four years between Olympic competition isn’t long enough to wait, there was an extra year delay due to Covid Pandemic.  From July 23 – August 8, the 2020 Olympics are underway in Tokyo, Japan.  From August 25 to September 6 the Paraolympics are also in Tokyo. For my family andContinue reading “Olympic History”

Where to find photos of your family

I’ve been asked several times recently “where can I find photos of my ancestors.”  I am guessing you have already looked at home, in the attic and asked your relatives.   Here are a few suggestions: High School Yearbook (online or at the school library) remember that often the year book uses an initial and notContinue reading “Where to find photos of your family”

Heirlooms

Ten reasons to cherish your families heirlooms: 1.  You might discover the heirlooms are of more meaning to you later in life.2.  They might be worth a lot of money.3.  It could inspire you to learn the history of your family and the items they cherish.4.  It would make your grandma happy.5.  Restoration and reuseContinue reading “Heirlooms”

DNA reveals a 79 year old secret

Like many adoptees Lyn knew very little about his origins.  Found in a cabbage patch his adoptive parents joked.  They told him he was chosen and loved.  He knew that and yet he also needed to know his biological origins.  He wanted to know his medical history.  For a fee, the California State Welfare OfficeContinue reading “DNA reveals a 79 year old secret”