This DNA stuff is driving me up the wall. What I'm saying here is that it's mind boggling. Well my mind can't quite grasp it. I've had the mtdna and the Family Finder tests done. So alright, the person I'm looking for has not has their DNA done, I get that. But with more and more that have had theirs done I'm not coming up with a close enough match to me to say I belong to that line.
Let me back up here. My mother had an affair when she was married. This was during WWII when our servicemen were gone for long periods of time. When you think about it not much has changed down through the ages. And people are people, things happen. Anyway, she had a child from this affair but I carry the surname of the man she was married to.
Now you are asking me how do I know this. No one said a word, it was carried to their graves. When I got my mother's divorce papers (I was three when they divorced) it was stated by her husband that she had the affair and a child was born from that affair. The birthday that was listed was mine. Need I say more.
Every time I asked my mother about my father she gave me vague answers like oh he was nice or I guess he still lives in Minnesota. Not the answers I wanted. I wrote to him once and he was nice enough when he answered my letter. He touched on surface subjects like I'm married, nice job, I have a son, things like that.
So back to DNA. I wanted to know if this man named in the divorce papers was really my father. So far I'm getting 3rd, 4th, and 5th cousins. And I'm not matching any names they have listed that they are researching. It's so frustrating!
Maybe I'm not reading it right. But with persistence I will find out, somehow. If you are having the same problem or one like it keep working.
Until then....................
Friday, August 12, 2011
Monday, August 1, 2011
ANOTHER HOT DAY IN TEXAS
You would think with all this hot weather I'd be at the computer just working my little fingers to the nub. Well like most everyone else the day goes by and I can't remember what I really accomplished. The pool becons me..........and I've left poor Katie wandering the wilds of Illinois looking for her parents after the battle. And then there is Nathaniel still google eyed over Sarah. Still bumbling when he see her.
I've been putting together all the material for the Genealogy of Nathaniel Green so it will be ready for the first time family reunion next year. That in it's self is a feat. Trying to get everything into the computer, which I might add, I'm not that smart working on the computer! I'm still learning.
Well I do have a date to look at early days of the big city of Cibolo and get those in order for the new Cibolo history book that is in stage ONE. We've been compiling information, speaking to the older generation, and mapping out the city.
Too many projects at the same time. I heard a phrase long ago, simply said, yard by yard is hard, inch by inch is a cinch. You bet.
Unitil then....................
I've been putting together all the material for the Genealogy of Nathaniel Green so it will be ready for the first time family reunion next year. That in it's self is a feat. Trying to get everything into the computer, which I might add, I'm not that smart working on the computer! I'm still learning.
Well I do have a date to look at early days of the big city of Cibolo and get those in order for the new Cibolo history book that is in stage ONE. We've been compiling information, speaking to the older generation, and mapping out the city.
Too many projects at the same time. I heard a phrase long ago, simply said, yard by yard is hard, inch by inch is a cinch. You bet.
Unitil then....................
Friday, July 15, 2011
MORE WORK THAN I CAN HANDLE
I didn't realize I haven't kept my blog up to date. I've been so busy. Sure just like everyone else the week goes by and you ask yourself what did I accomplish this week? Wow......not sure at this point.
I've been asked to help with the history of the town I live in. I had been looking into it long before I was even asked. I like to know about the place I'm living. Who was here before me? What kind of activities did they do beside work the fields from sun up to sun down? What did it look like before all the subdivisions took over? So many questions. Where are the answers?
Then besides trying to keep up my two blogs, yes I do have two. I don't do things one at a time. It seems I like to be busy, pushed to the limit. I am putting together a big family reunion next year and hope to have the book finished on that one side of the family. That's a big feat in it's self. And poor Katie, I'm trying to put that novel together. Slow but sure. Sometimes I feel like I'm leaving Katie wandering, but no wait, she finally find the Jordan family.
Now this week I'm off to the Pacific Northwest in search of where some of my ancestors lived and died. I've found quite a few of them so I would like to get their death certificates and then find their graves. Got to get pictures of the head stones, that is if they have one. I would just like to find where my great, great, grandfather is buried. Just to put him to rest in the novel anyway.
It's been a wonderful journey following their lives from child to adult. Then watching their children go off in all different directions. Can't wait to get my hands on the 1940 Federal Census next year. Me and about a thousand other people researching their ancestors!
So until then...................
I've been asked to help with the history of the town I live in. I had been looking into it long before I was even asked. I like to know about the place I'm living. Who was here before me? What kind of activities did they do beside work the fields from sun up to sun down? What did it look like before all the subdivisions took over? So many questions. Where are the answers?
Then besides trying to keep up my two blogs, yes I do have two. I don't do things one at a time. It seems I like to be busy, pushed to the limit. I am putting together a big family reunion next year and hope to have the book finished on that one side of the family. That's a big feat in it's self. And poor Katie, I'm trying to put that novel together. Slow but sure. Sometimes I feel like I'm leaving Katie wandering, but no wait, she finally find the Jordan family.
Now this week I'm off to the Pacific Northwest in search of where some of my ancestors lived and died. I've found quite a few of them so I would like to get their death certificates and then find their graves. Got to get pictures of the head stones, that is if they have one. I would just like to find where my great, great, grandfather is buried. Just to put him to rest in the novel anyway.
It's been a wonderful journey following their lives from child to adult. Then watching their children go off in all different directions. Can't wait to get my hands on the 1940 Federal Census next year. Me and about a thousand other people researching their ancestors!
So until then...................
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
KATIE
I know I've asked you to wander with me as I trace Katie's footsteps. I've found more information about Indian Kate. Thanks to my cousin in Wisconson (without her I would not have found out who I am). OOPS that's another story. I'll talk about that later.
Anyway, back to Katie. Such a small little girl left to wander alone in search of her family. The Black Hawk War took place in 1832. It left Katie an orphan until the Thomas Jordan family took her in.
Whoa....there I go again jumping way ahead of myself. I do have a habit of doing that.
The Asakiwaki (Sauk) and Meshkwahkihaki (Mesquakie/Fox) are Algonquin-speaking people originally from the northeastern United States. Asakiwaki means "people of the yellow earth" and Meshkwahkihawi means "people of the red earth".
Oral history says the tribe originated hear the Saint Lawrence Seaway in Canada and moved west towards Michigan and Wisconson.
Everything was peaceful for the Sauk Indian clan in 1831 and early 1832. Lead by Chief Black Hawk they lived along the Mississippi River across from Dubuque, Iowa. Near Saukenuk at the mouth of the Rock River where it empties into the Mississippi. They came back from their hunting trip west of the Mississippi to find the white man living in their lodges.
Like any child Katie watched over her little brother while watching her mother cook meals and make their blankets. Katie had at least three older sisters and a couple of brothers. There may have been more but records are a bit fuzzy about that.
History lesson done, so for the rest of the story, until then................
Anyway, back to Katie. Such a small little girl left to wander alone in search of her family. The Black Hawk War took place in 1832. It left Katie an orphan until the Thomas Jordan family took her in.
Whoa....there I go again jumping way ahead of myself. I do have a habit of doing that.
The Asakiwaki (Sauk) and Meshkwahkihaki (Mesquakie/Fox) are Algonquin-speaking people originally from the northeastern United States. Asakiwaki means "people of the yellow earth" and Meshkwahkihawi means "people of the red earth".
Oral history says the tribe originated hear the Saint Lawrence Seaway in Canada and moved west towards Michigan and Wisconson.
Everything was peaceful for the Sauk Indian clan in 1831 and early 1832. Lead by Chief Black Hawk they lived along the Mississippi River across from Dubuque, Iowa. Near Saukenuk at the mouth of the Rock River where it empties into the Mississippi. They came back from their hunting trip west of the Mississippi to find the white man living in their lodges.
Like any child Katie watched over her little brother while watching her mother cook meals and make their blankets. Katie had at least three older sisters and a couple of brothers. There may have been more but records are a bit fuzzy about that.
History lesson done, so for the rest of the story, until then................
TIME RUNNING OUT
Sometimes I do feel like time is running out. I get another day older, so much to do each day, and not enough time to sit at the computer and look. Yes, look for more information.
It seems like you get one piece of evidence and after you pursue that you find another, then another. You can't give up then. You have to keep going. It's like a worm being dangled in front of a fish then pulled back each time the fish approaches it. Keep going, keep seeking, keep digging.
So much has been added to the web sites now it seems endless. Ancestry keeps adding more each day, Cyndi's list has been going strong for at least ten years and she keeps adding more information every day too. If you have ancestors that migrated from New England the American Ancestors is a good web site to look through too. Ancestry.com and American Ancestors does have a fee but Cyndi's list does not.
Now that I've told you those avenues there is that old standby way. Word of mouth. Phone calls to relatives. Jog their brains. Ask them "Do you remember Aunt Jane, etc."
Give them food for thought. They might not remember at the time you ask the question but it will get them to thinking and you might be surprised when they call you back and give you that worm. You never know until you try it.
Another wonderful avenue if you are in the town you are researching go to the library. The library is your best friend. Most of them have a small genealogy section, or even someone that wrote something about the town you are looking into. In fact I'm off to the local library this morning to look for information.
So until then..........................
It seems like you get one piece of evidence and after you pursue that you find another, then another. You can't give up then. You have to keep going. It's like a worm being dangled in front of a fish then pulled back each time the fish approaches it. Keep going, keep seeking, keep digging.
So much has been added to the web sites now it seems endless. Ancestry keeps adding more each day, Cyndi's list has been going strong for at least ten years and she keeps adding more information every day too. If you have ancestors that migrated from New England the American Ancestors is a good web site to look through too. Ancestry.com and American Ancestors does have a fee but Cyndi's list does not.
Now that I've told you those avenues there is that old standby way. Word of mouth. Phone calls to relatives. Jog their brains. Ask them "Do you remember Aunt Jane, etc."
Give them food for thought. They might not remember at the time you ask the question but it will get them to thinking and you might be surprised when they call you back and give you that worm. You never know until you try it.
Another wonderful avenue if you are in the town you are researching go to the library. The library is your best friend. Most of them have a small genealogy section, or even someone that wrote something about the town you are looking into. In fact I'm off to the local library this morning to look for information.
So until then..........................
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
WANDERING MIND
I'm slow at writing my pages. You ask why??? Well I have this problem. I can't help myself. I start working on a page then my mind wanders and I stop what I'm doing and start looking again for more information about my ancestors.
Something will trigger my thinking and then I have to look at another avenue to try to find answers. My brother has said I would make a good detective. Well I want to know the answers. Sometimes it consumes me........and I want to know more. I want to get into the head of my ancestor. Why did he move on? Why did he go that way instead of the other way? Just like a small child always asking mommy why.
I never would have thought I would have this drive to want to know more. Maybe it's because it's about my family. Where ever the drive comes from, I have it....... bad.
Thus far there have been times where the information fell into my lap. Laptop that is, while I was searching for something else. Then when I followed up on the information, I found it to be true. What a wonderful surprise. You ask why do I have to follow up. Well let me tell you. When I first started out looking into my ancestors past I was told by a genealogist always follow up with the paper work. Don't take someones word for it. Put that piece of paper in your hand that tells you yes, you are correct.
A good bit of advice I've followed and I will continue. So it's off to look in another direction.
Until then.................
Something will trigger my thinking and then I have to look at another avenue to try to find answers. My brother has said I would make a good detective. Well I want to know the answers. Sometimes it consumes me........and I want to know more. I want to get into the head of my ancestor. Why did he move on? Why did he go that way instead of the other way? Just like a small child always asking mommy why.
I never would have thought I would have this drive to want to know more. Maybe it's because it's about my family. Where ever the drive comes from, I have it....... bad.
Thus far there have been times where the information fell into my lap. Laptop that is, while I was searching for something else. Then when I followed up on the information, I found it to be true. What a wonderful surprise. You ask why do I have to follow up. Well let me tell you. When I first started out looking into my ancestors past I was told by a genealogist always follow up with the paper work. Don't take someones word for it. Put that piece of paper in your hand that tells you yes, you are correct.
A good bit of advice I've followed and I will continue. So it's off to look in another direction.
Until then.................
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
DIGGING DEEPER
Well here we are again. Still digging. I push away from the computer, done with a project and on to another, like fixing dinner, throwing a load of wash in the dryer, and so on. But my mind is still thinking, thinking about the ancestor I was just looking for.
There is so much on the computer now, Ancestry puts something new on their web site each day, and so does Cyndi's List. But there is still that brick wall. I've been looking in cemeteries for the graves of my ancestors. Their final resting place. Most don't have head stones because they were too poor to afford one. Their children went about their lives always thinking and wanting to put a stone there for their parent but, life happens. It doesn't get done.
Then there are the genealogists that walk the cemeteries, take notes, make sure they have the grave listed in the right row, right lot, then put it on the web for all to see, and maybe find their ancestor. But if your ancestor is buried in that cemetery and doesn't have a stone, well, you see where I'm going here.
That's when you engage the help of a genealogist in that state, county, and cemetery to look it up in the library for you. Most libraries have a genealogy department. Some small, like the one my husband and I found in Madison, NH. It wasn't any larger than a six hundred square foot house but we found where my husband's great, great, grandmother was buried. You would be surprised at that one person who lived in the area that wrote a small book on the history of the town. There you have it. Sometimes you have to go visit the area you are researching but what better way to take a vacation. See the sights, walk the same fields your ancestors walked.
Until then.......................
There is so much on the computer now, Ancestry puts something new on their web site each day, and so does Cyndi's List. But there is still that brick wall. I've been looking in cemeteries for the graves of my ancestors. Their final resting place. Most don't have head stones because they were too poor to afford one. Their children went about their lives always thinking and wanting to put a stone there for their parent but, life happens. It doesn't get done.
Then there are the genealogists that walk the cemeteries, take notes, make sure they have the grave listed in the right row, right lot, then put it on the web for all to see, and maybe find their ancestor. But if your ancestor is buried in that cemetery and doesn't have a stone, well, you see where I'm going here.
That's when you engage the help of a genealogist in that state, county, and cemetery to look it up in the library for you. Most libraries have a genealogy department. Some small, like the one my husband and I found in Madison, NH. It wasn't any larger than a six hundred square foot house but we found where my husband's great, great, grandmother was buried. You would be surprised at that one person who lived in the area that wrote a small book on the history of the town. There you have it. Sometimes you have to go visit the area you are researching but what better way to take a vacation. See the sights, walk the same fields your ancestors walked.
Until then.......................
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