Comments on: Tracing through history

By: Lauren T.

Lauren T. — Sat, 02 Jun 2007 17:57:00 +0000

I do not usually comment- but I had to on this post. I am a genealogy buff too, and I believe I am the only one in my family. I have gotten back to 800AD with the kings of Scotland-grandfathers-and I am related to the British Royal family (19th cousin to princes). I am also related to Jonathan Edwards, Aaron Burr-the guy who shot Alexander Hamilton in a duel. On a different side of the family I am a descendent of the Mayflower too.

I took over my aunts work, and she had not done very much research. The best way to start is to get names from grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc…. Then, you can use rootsweb.com or familysearch.org to look them up and look at other peoples family trees. Ancestry.com is really good, but it is too expensive for me. Luckily, one of my friend’s grandma has it and has let me use it. They usually have several free days a year, and as someone said the Military records are free right now. I have worked for 2 years now, and do it in my spare time.

By: Lara

Lara — Sat, 02 Jun 2007 16:40:00 +0000

Natalie–
I was at Gettysburg with my students last week, and our guide was from Minnesota–as was my dad (who has been with the Lord now for 2 years). Imagine my surprise when our guide took us to the Minnesota monument and graveyard, in which he took such pride, and we stood in front of a grave with my last name on it! I’d love to ask my dad if he knows anything about it, but I guess I’ll have to do the research now on my own….your post has inspired me and made me think it’s possible! I’ll work on pulling his military record this summer to see if there is a connection!

Hope the wedding plans are going well–I have some fun news to share. Will be in touch soon! (Last week of school!–eeek!)

Be well!

By: anika_q

anika_q — Sat, 02 Jun 2007 05:29:00 +0000

You got that far back! Amazing...
You know, I'm not all that sure that I believe you. Forgive my skepticism. If you did, please give us some more hints!

I would love to do something like that for my family tree. It has already been traced back to the 1800s..and I know I'm Irish in heritage, but not much more.

By: rebekah

rebekah — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 19:01:00 +0000

I’ve been a reader here for awhile, but not a frequent commenter… when I saw this entry, I just had to say something! I, too, like to look up my family history! I’d love to know more about my ancestors and what they were like!

I don’t think I’ve gotten as far back as you have, though… now I’m inspired to do more searching! How did you ever find that much info from so far back in history?

By: Trina

Trina — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 13:05:00 +0000

I like to learn more of my ancestry, too, especially fascinating stuff like – my great grandmother being the seamstress for the ladies in waiting of the Queen of England! I have a love of sewing – and it’s no wonder – it’s in my blood! The ladies used to say their clothes were so well made and finished that they bragged they could wear them inside out! This has inspired me to excellence in my own sewing.
You have inspired me to go further back into my history, Natalie – ours is only traced into the 1700′s so far. But how do you research something when it’s in, say, dutch? all my ancestors are originally from Holland.