Anyone else ever make a "connection" ?

[IndianaSmith]

In doing some historical research, I recently learned some family was quite involved in the early years of the county they'd lived in. This includes donating property for a church (which I learned reverts back to the family if the church would ever dissolve), and working as a representitive for one of the 1st banks to open. He had also served as a Justice of the Peace.

I happen across an old family pic, and in it is my Grandmother (dads mother) when she was a baby. The pic happens to have been taken on the same property where the church stands. On the bottom of the pic was a little notecard someone had added with the names of those pictured, one being Grandma, as well as her father, It was his father who I'd read about in a book I got from the library.

I thought it was pretty neat, and quite a coincidence running-across that pic, then see the family name mentioned in a book on the county history. Anyone ever have anythng similar happen?


Smitty

[KellycoChick]

Genealogy is actually really awesome and I totally encourage people to get more into it! My grandfather (with the land and CW relics) has everything our family has ever done to the day we stepped on this continent. It's super interesting, un-real to see where you came from. You wonder,... did they ever think they'd be responsible for someone living here, today, right now, ME!?

My dad's side of the family is much harder to trace tho,... all I have is that they came through Ellis Island, and then some Brooklyn census records. Consider yourself fortunate that you can find as much as you have, and keep looking for more! It's out there! But I advise you to get off the computer and go look through old documents that aren't accessible via the internet - that's where the real good stuff is,... but man is it hard to find! Goodluck!

[echostar61]

Having done genealogy for many years, I can say it is very rewarding to make a personal connection. I have traced one side of my family back to 1572 when they were smuggled out of France into England. I was fortunate that my relatives had kept such great records and passed down personal relics too.
If allowed to hunt there,I hope you find some personal relics from your family .

Terri

[EBCIII]

My dad has done some pretty intense searching in our family history. It seems that we are some kind of kin to Jim Bowie.

My grandmother was Dutch. My 1st name actually is dirived from an old English King, Ethelred (mine is Etheldred). My greatgreat grandad was in Picketts Charge at Gettysburg.

I enjoy this kinda of stuff a bunch, Beale.

[Buster]

History is so good. I talked to my mom about a lot of family history. She always had a good story to tell. After she passed I missed that allot..History is good and is important to everyone..Buster....

[rip]

Making a "connection" with history is a wonderfull thing.I have been doing alot of local history research the last couple of years.I Have a site that I detect that Is probably my favorite site becuse of the history.The locals call it the Glowworm.My Dad used to detect there years ago.At that time there was an old foundation there.One day he found 2 old buttons that he later found out were called Chicken colonel buttons from the early 1800's.About 6 years ago I whent back for the first time in years to detect it again.Now the foundation is gone and it's used as a hay field.I found alot of cool stuff there but allways hoped to find one of the buttons.Then on mothers day about 5 years ago I whent to my Moms grave site and planted some Lillys.I left there and whent to the Glowworm to detect.I got out of the car and got my gear together and as I was doing this I looked over along the edge of the field and saw a patch of Lillys.I decided to start there.I hadent gone more than 5 feet when I got a good signal and dug one of the buttons ! Well then I started in again and found 2 more one right after the other ! I have since found over a dozen and have given all but 2 to friends.I kept one that I found and one that my Dad gave me.

While doing some research I found that the Man that most likely lost the buttons name was Colonel David Shaw.He was leader of the local militia and fought at bunker hill.
I also found 2 graves in the woods close by that belonged to a husband and wife that died in the 1840's.I tracked down there relatives and sent them photos and told them were the graves were located at.

[Buster]

Good one Rip...Buster....

[Lt1stone]

My dads done so much family tree stuff for years. We have inlaws, outlaws, native american, from Georgia,Kentucky,Missouri,Indiana,Texas,N & S Carolina, and Sweden. The Trail of Tears, family splits, family not knowing they were fighting each other(Union/Confederate)
We also recieved a Centennial Award for retaining homestead since the Oklahoma Landrun. Its only 40 acres belonging to my dad, brother and myself. Not to many left in the state.

[gordiesgirl]

Great research tips, Thanks

[IndianaSmith]

At one time my dad was doing alot of genealogy. I don't know exactly how far back he'd traced, I'll have to ask him. I know at one point he was roaming the state (and I think some outside the state) looking through old cemeteries.

Rip- I have to say that's a pretty neat story. Do you think there was a "connection" to the fact of you planting lillies at your mothers grave, then finding the buttons the way you did?

Smitty