Tag Archives: ancestors

a NEW Freemason heirloom photo collage

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gparing

The subject of my photo shoot session today was my Grandfather’s Freemason ring.  I never knew my Grandfather, but I’m thrilled to have in my possession something that I know he must have treasured.  I also never knew much about Freemasonry – but the movie National Treasure sure made them sound mysterious, right!?!  Apparently George Washington was Master of his Masonic Lodge:

georgewashington

I have a few other heirlooms I need to photograph…as well as write up some narratives about who they originally belonged to, so future generations will have a physical link to the past.  I also have a goal to make something that will be worthy of being an heirloom someday.  This article: Grandpa’s Cane and Other Heirlooms inspired me to get busy!  Wish me continued motivation! :o)

Have a great day!  Do or learn something NEW with OLD stuff!

 

 

 

 

 

my NEW genealogical excitement

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wills{source}

As a family historian, I love, loVE, LOVE living in this day and age of computers, scanners, optical character recognition readers etc!  Isn’t it sooo great?!?  Are you wondering what’s in the box?  Well…let me tell you!  They are bunches of old will documents that have been stored away in Maryland for over ONE HUNDRED YEARS….maybe not even opened for that long…who knows!   But now, these records are being scanned and available  for use/research.  Click the ‘source’ link next to the picture to read the article.  It really is an EXCITING time for genealogical research!  If you missed my post about the War of  1812 Project, be sure to check it out too!

I’ve been busy lately with plenty of family history research…mainly USA research.  However I do have English ancestors and I {eventually} would like to get going on researching those lines!

I recently went to a short workshop on how to use FindMyPast at a nearby Family History Center.  Since I’m busy with other research, I don’t really want to pay the money to have access to this database at home (Ancestry.com’s subscription alone about breaks the bank!), so I’m sooooo glad I can go somewhere to use it without signing up and paying yet.  Maybe when I’m REALLY seriously studying those English lines I will, but not now :o)

Just so you know, there is no cost to visit a FamilySearch Center, and they are open to anyone with an interest in genealogical research. There are more than 4,600 Family History Centers in 134 countries – so find one near you!!! Family History Centers provide free access to quite a few subscription genealogy websites.  It’s soooo GREAT!

a NEW class for the NEW year

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church

Well, it’s a NEW year and I’m taking a NEW class!  I’m excited!  The class is on how to do family history.  I LOVE doing family history (as my previous post mentioned) and I’ve already taken a LOT of classes on the subject, so I’m hoping to learn something NEW!

{I can’t wait for the day when teachers can scan your brain cells to see what you already know, and then go ahead and teach you what you don’t know!  Ha!  Someone please get busy on that invention, RIGHT AWAY OK?!?!!! :o)}

Everyone MUST should visit The Thinking Closet and check out the journaling she did about her ancestors!  SO FUN!

awards

Also, I thought I’d share a list of ways to start working on your family history. Family History DOES NOT just mean names on a pedigree chart!

1 Think about your ancestors

2 Celebrate important dates in the lives of your ancestors.

3 Make a family calendar of these important dates

4 Make plans now for how to pass on family heirlooms and documents

5 Copy documents of your family for each child as they leave home

6 Gather and label old photographs

7 Visit cemeteries where ancestors are buried, record headstone information

8 Start a timeline for each of your children

9 Write about a typical day in the life of you, your spouse, or your child

10 Keep trip journals when on family vacations

11 Record family stories and legends

12 Write a paragraph about every living relative you personally know

13 Frame and display photos of family members and ancestors in  your home

14 Index your journals.  List important events and where they can be found (page numbers, or dates)

15 Create a map and pinpoint locations of your ancestors and their migration

Is there something on this list you could start with?  Have a terrific day and learn or do something NEW!