Twenty-Nine Years and Counting
I began working on my family tree over 25 years ago. At the time, I knew hardly anything about my family. What I did know came from the stories that were told when the relatives came to visit. I have always loved history. It was only natural I that I would want to know more about my ancestors.
Now I have a family tree with many, many branches. My database currently holds information on over 150,000 individuals, both living and deceased. When I started working on my tree I had no idea that I would become addicted.
It's been a very rewarding journey that I have taken. I've met cousins that I never even knew I had. I got to meet a grandmother who died before I was born. I learned about the successes and failures of my ancestors. The research, at time, has been a challenge...but I have always enjoyed it!
It All Started With A Teacher
When people ask how I got started I tell them. When I was in 9th grade I was given an assignment by Mrs. Dupree. She was my Child Development teacher. The assignment was this:
"Class, today when you go home, I want you to ask your parents about their parents. After you have learned everything they know about their parents, I want you to ask your grandparents about their parents."
The assignment seemed easy enough. One problem, I have been working on that assignment for close to 30 years and I still haven't finished it. Yes, I turned in my paper to Mrs. Dupree, but I am still working on my assignment all these years later.
It's been a wonderful journey. I haven't finished yet, and anyone who has ever done genealogy will tell you that you never really finish. You may stop for awhile, but you will always pick it back up!
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