From These Roots

I write this blog to leave a family history for my children, their children, and on down the line. They are the leaves on my tree.

I include stories about family, tell about different family members, and sometimes I simply put down my own thoughts.

There is an old Irish saying that says, "Every branch blossoms according to the root from which it is sprung". It simply means you are who you come from.

I want my offspring to know who they are and who they came from. It helps them get an idea of where they may be going. Besides it is fun to look back at the laughter, tears, and scallywags that belong to our family.

Over the years I have worked off and on to make a family tree. It is such hard work. Trying to find records is difficult. I know quite a bit until we get past grandparents and great-grandparents.

I did not know my paternal grandfather. He died before I was born. I do not remember even seeing a picture of him.

My paternal grandmother talked about being the first child born in the United States after her family arrived from Denmark. She had one sister that I knew a tiny bit. She had brothers who lived in the same town but I did not know them.

My maternal grandfather had several brothers and sisters but I only knew one brother. Others had died or lived out of state.

My maternal grandmother had a sister who lived near to all of us. She was married but did not have children.

Grandma's father was still alive though. He was one of my favorite characters. I thought for years that he was a leprechaun. He's not even Irish!

My son recently discovered yet another family research site. It begins with him. Then he puts in information about his parents. Then information about his grandparents. It took off from there.

Some branches end early. I believe it is because the families did not keep records and did not do family trees. Great-grandpa was orphaned as a baby and came to this country to raised by an uncle. He had older brothers. The family lost track of them over time.

Some branches go back to as far as 600 BC. Can you imagine? They are the ones who did extensive family trees.

We have discovered rascals and royalty. Most are common folk like we are. So now we are trying to find more connections to the shorter branches. It is fun but oh my is it tiring.