Genealogy

I have enjoyed genealogy for over 40 years and this website reflects most of my work. I try to keep it updated, but my Ancestry.com tree is much more extensive and accurate. I hope you will feel free to contact me with questions. If I know of other sites that have additional information on a family—or I know someone in that line that is more knowledgeable—I make every effort to provide that information. Please let me know if you see any errors and provide proof of your requested change. It is also helpful if you tell me which page you are referring to.

Genealogy is fascinating in so many ways. I think the biggest driver of researching your family is wanting to know where you came from and why you are who you are. The blending with history of bygone times, learning what kind of people your ancestors were and how they lived and died add to the mystery. It’s especially fascinating when it comes to learning about why and where your family inherited certain traits or mannerisms. Then there is the moment you realize how many people it took to make you. For instance, in just 10 generations it took 1,024 ancestors to create you. It’s mind boggling to think that if just one of those ancestors could not have children–you wouldn’t be here! And there are so many reasons why an ancestor might not have been able to have children. What if they were infertile? What if they never married, died young or their partner died young? What if they had a different sexual preference? We are lucky to be here at all!

I think too that genealogy poses so many brick walls due to females not being historically documented to the extent men were. Or leaving one’s home territory for another country, perhaps changing or altering their surname along the way. Feeling the need to hide their identity to cover their tracks, perhaps they were a criminal? Sons left their family homes sometimes because only the eldest son inherited the property. Children were born illegitimately sometimes with and sometimes without the mother’s consent. And of course, the worst culprit–family oral history. Choosing to create their own origins story or passing along the story to be incorrectly told through later generations. For instance, “our original ancestor was descended from the King of England”… But the true story is that your ancestor was imprisoned for burglary and ran away to America to escape repercussions. Interestingly, that naughty ancestor may have become quite successful in America! In any case, I’ll leave you pondering all of these possibilities and I hope this website helps you find your ancestors.

Below I have broken the surnames into my major family groups. But if you use the search engine, you will find many, many more. On each page you may see a banner with the family name on it (see grey box below). If you click on the box it will expand and show you more information about that family. Give it a try. If you don’t see names that are familiar, I suggest you use the search box below.

I am not perfect (who is?) and I appreciate any corrections. You may use any of my information for your own personal use. You do not need to credit me unless you use my information verbatim.

Last Updated on December 18, 2024 by rootie