In the past 35 years I have been doing genealogy research.  I’ve also used many programs and read a few books to help guide me along the way. I started with my dad’s side of the family. I really wish that I had asked him some more questions about his side of the family before he passed away.  The only information I had at that time of his life were his five siblings names with there spouses and his parents. Whom I only met my grandfather when I was very young. I have also learned more about my grandparent’s because I located their cemetery stones close to my father and brother. The information found at the cemetery record department was who had signed and paid for their stones as well as the parents names. I then found more information about them on the local census records where they lived. What was also helpful at the local library was there local directories they had their names and addresses of where they grew up and what they did for a living as well as their parents names and dates of the directories. Finding where they lived in every yearly directory showed addresses of where they moved too. It was wonderful cross checking some of the information that I already had as well as any new information. You almost feel like a detective! As you continue to research family names you find dates of birth and deaths to compare because sometimes you need to cross check because mistakes are made by people. The best thing that I do is order birth and marriage records online you can just go to the state site and order there but it does cost money. Go to the social security site and you’ll fine more information such as Ssi number spouse name, and home address. Don’t forget to check for military records they also have great information, that’s how I found out that my dad was a sharpshooter in world war 2.

I have done genealogy for many years. I have accumulated so much data that I have over thirty three 3 ring 3 inch binders full of information about each person that I have on record in my family I also have 226,000 names of family members on my computer about my family tree.

My love for genealogy shows with all my research that I have accumulated throughout the many years. It will pass down through generations to come, and that is my wish.