I was born and raised in Oregon, a descendant of thirteen Oregon-California Trail pioneers who came west from 1845-1857. My husband and I belong to the Oregon-California Trails Association and attend their yearly conventions, where we can follow the trails for a few days each summer and learn about our ancestors' journeys west.

Genealogy became my interest in 1993, the 150th anniversary of the Oregon Trail, when I wanted to obtain a pioneer certificate for our grandson. They asked me to prove it. Easy, I thought. Not so easy, I discovered. With the help of a wonderful cousin I met online in 1995, I was able to find the proof. I got hooked on genealogy in the process.

So much has changed in genealogy research in the last twenty-seven years. Findagrave is a wonderful resource. Thanks to all the great volunteers here. You are amazing.

I was born and raised in Oregon, a descendant of thirteen Oregon-California Trail pioneers who came west from 1845-1857. My husband and I belong to the Oregon-California Trails Association and attend their yearly conventions, where we can follow the trails for a few days each summer and learn about our ancestors' journeys west.

Genealogy became my interest in 1993, the 150th anniversary of the Oregon Trail, when I wanted to obtain a pioneer certificate for our grandson. They asked me to prove it. Easy, I thought. Not so easy, I discovered. With the help of a wonderful cousin I met online in 1995, I was able to find the proof. I got hooked on genealogy in the process.

So much has changed in genealogy research in the last twenty-seven years. Findagrave is a wonderful resource. Thanks to all the great volunteers here. You are amazing.