Week #9 – Cemeteries

Grave of Mary Olivia Everitt Bingham, my great grandmother | Find A Grave

Genealogists understand the full value of cemeteries and appreciate them in ways most others can’t see. Share a cemetery or cemetery experience for which you are most thankful. What makes this place special? What does it mean to you and your family history?

This challenge runs from Sunday, February 26, 2012 through Saturday, March 3, 2012.

As a Brownie Scout, I recall tiptoeing through a cemetery toting paper and crayon. Nowadays, I’m told that’s not so good for the headstones. . . Yet, I happily discovered the Find A Grave site a few years ago. At the time, I was preparing for a presentation on Juliette Gordon Low and found her memorial on this website.

After that, I perused and located a number of ancestral graves as well as late relatives. I’ve even had a few opportunities to take pictures of my family members’ headstones. Of course, I’m grateful for all of the hard work and dedication these volunteers offer.

I’ve posted a photo of my great grandmother’s gravestone. While I’ve never set foot in this cemetery, Find A Grave has given me a glimpse of her grave and countless others.

Week 8 – Genealogy Libraries

Clayton House | Houston Public Library

Genealogy libraries (and dedicated departments in regular libraries) are true treasures in the family history community.  Tell us about your favorite genealogy library. What or who makes it special?

This challenge runs from Sunday, February 19, 2012 through Saturday, February 25, 2012.

I am fortunate enough to live in Houston which has the Clayton Genealogical Library. Here, I’ve been able to trace numerous lines on both sides of my family tree.

Also, I’d like to give a shout out to the Victoria Public Library of Victoria, Texas. Not only did this place offer free WiFi and friendly, helpful staff, they also had local history and genealogical resources. I even saw a picture of a late relative.

Week 7 – Historical Documents

Which historical document in your possession are you happy to have? How did you acquire this item? What does it reveal about your ancestors?

This challenge runs from Sunday, February 12, 2012 through Saturday, February 18, 2012.

In recent years, I have discovered that a number of my ancestors fought in the American Revolution. A distant cousin of mine documented this with the DAR. While I must connect a few dots, the DAR allows piggybacking on another daughter’s research. I happily downloaded this item after paying a few bucks. This granted me access to these records for a week.

After downloading, I took a giant leap forward in my linking myself to my ancestor.

Week #6 – Family Heirlooms

 For which family heirloom are you most thankful? How did you acquire this treasure and what does it mean to you and your family?

This challenge runs from Sunday, February 5, 2012 through Saturday, February 11, 2012.

While I’ve inherited many items from various branches of my family tree, I’m most thankful for the pictures. These photographs help me put faces with names. Also, I can digitize them easily by scanning them. This allows me to share pictures with my cousins!

Week #5 – Life Experiences

Sometimes the challenges in life provide the best learning experiences. Can you find an example of this in your own family tree? Which brick wall ancestor are you most thankful for, and how did that person shape your family history experience?This challenge runs from Sunday, January 29, 2012 through Saturday, February 3, 2012.

I feel I’ve had several blessing along my climb up my family tree. While several branches have yielded much documentation, others have remained rather laconic. Case in point, my paternal grandfather’s own grandmother didn’t seem to bear a maiden name. After 5 years of hitting walls, one of my friends found out her maiden name. That was fantastic because I was able to trace this 2nd great grandma’s family line back to The Netherlands.