Hello!

So, to start this little bio, I want to first tell you a bit about my quest as an amateur genealogist and family archivist. I started collecting information and anything I could get my hands on beginning in 1973 when I married my x-husband, and especially after the births of my children. I was determined to find not only his ancestry, but the research of my maternal great aunt's along with my paternal Danish heritage. Curiosity drove me to interview as many living relatives as possible through the years (although never enough when is all said and done) until the 1990s when Rootsweb and Ancestry became available on the internet. With that information, through postings & sometimes tedious research I found so many cousins from many families reaching out with their research .

Fast forward 40+ years later with DNA added to the mix, I have found more than I could have possibly imagined. I have solved many, many mysteries, debunked a few family stories (which still exist in some family members minds no matter the DNA), and also found some rather horrific ones in the process. Absolutely genealogy is one of my great passions in life. Give me some names and I'll do the research!

My ancestry and my children's ancestry descends from England, Germany, Scotland and Scandinavia with some families migrating to the US in the 1700's eventually becoming pioneers of many towns in Iowa and Kansas. My paternal ancestors came to the US from Denmark to Iowa and South Dakota in the late 1800's to early 1900's for some reason I've never understood.

I have only one really notable ancestor- my 12th Great Grandfather Anders Sorensen Vedel ... 1542-1616 of Denmark, Priest-Historian and Poet. MOST of my ancestors....note: NOT ALL, (which makes for some interesting stories) .....were just good plain folk and are as fascinating and interesting to me as anyone! They just don't have statues and portraits and fancy titles.

I became interested in Find-A-Grave a few years ago as I was impressed that this website was supported by volunteers and available to anyone without a subscription. Also, through the years, I believe it has become a wonderful depository to not only view a grave stone or cemetery, but for descendants to see that ancestor as more than a birth and death date. A photo or a story about that person showing us a personality and a life.

One thing I know, for sure, is that for me genealogy research is never truly finished as long as I can see and think somewhat clearly. One might sew a little here, clean a little there, however, research is always beckoning. Always some mystery to obsess over, some story or photo or new in-law or child to add to the tree. Unless, of course, horror of horrors, there is NO INTERNET CONNECTION!

Happy Researching and Best Regards to All

Hello!

So, to start this little bio, I want to first tell you a bit about my quest as an amateur genealogist and family archivist. I started collecting information and anything I could get my hands on beginning in 1973 when I married my x-husband, and especially after the births of my children. I was determined to find not only his ancestry, but the research of my maternal great aunt's along with my paternal Danish heritage. Curiosity drove me to interview as many living relatives as possible through the years (although never enough when is all said and done) until the 1990s when Rootsweb and Ancestry became available on the internet. With that information, through postings & sometimes tedious research I found so many cousins from many families reaching out with their research .

Fast forward 40+ years later with DNA added to the mix, I have found more than I could have possibly imagined. I have solved many, many mysteries, debunked a few family stories (which still exist in some family members minds no matter the DNA), and also found some rather horrific ones in the process. Absolutely genealogy is one of my great passions in life. Give me some names and I'll do the research!

My ancestry and my children's ancestry descends from England, Germany, Scotland and Scandinavia with some families migrating to the US in the 1700's eventually becoming pioneers of many towns in Iowa and Kansas. My paternal ancestors came to the US from Denmark to Iowa and South Dakota in the late 1800's to early 1900's for some reason I've never understood.

I have only one really notable ancestor- my 12th Great Grandfather Anders Sorensen Vedel ... 1542-1616 of Denmark, Priest-Historian and Poet. MOST of my ancestors....note: NOT ALL, (which makes for some interesting stories) .....were just good plain folk and are as fascinating and interesting to me as anyone! They just don't have statues and portraits and fancy titles.

I became interested in Find-A-Grave a few years ago as I was impressed that this website was supported by volunteers and available to anyone without a subscription. Also, through the years, I believe it has become a wonderful depository to not only view a grave stone or cemetery, but for descendants to see that ancestor as more than a birth and death date. A photo or a story about that person showing us a personality and a life.

One thing I know, for sure, is that for me genealogy research is never truly finished as long as I can see and think somewhat clearly. One might sew a little here, clean a little there, however, research is always beckoning. Always some mystery to obsess over, some story or photo or new in-law or child to add to the tree. Unless, of course, horror of horrors, there is NO INTERNET CONNECTION!

Happy Researching and Best Regards to All