It's a Genealogy Birthday

Saturday my father will be 86 years old!
That is quite an accomplishment.

My father has supplied me with a ton of material for my family history research.

I thought it would be fitting to do something with the data I have been gathering for him on his birthday.

I'm no where near being able to publish my family history book, but I do have quite a bit of data on our direct lines, so that' where I focused.

I chose my father's direct paternal line, which included 4 generations, starting with his parents and ending with his 2nd great grandfather.

Since my father does not use a computer, I printed out the family trees, census reports and all other sources I found and put them in a book.


I made a cute little graphic for the front of the book resembling a family crest.




Today I visited my parents and gave my Father his present. He took to the book like it was the best thing ever. He sat there and went through all 160+ pages in one sitting! Of course he said that this was his first overview, he will go back and look at everything closely later.




Unfortunately the census sheets are almost impossible to read when they are printed on 8 1/2 x 11, but that is all I have, and he won't read them on the computer screen.




I included a few photos and family tree charts and even found some newspaper articles with a few of the ancestors in it.


Now I need to do the same thing with his maternal line and repeat the process on my mother's family lines. It's a great joy to see him enjoy my research.


Happy Birthday Dad!

In The Beginning....

In the Beginning there was family, and after that many generations of family.

Somewhere the individuals get lost and fade with time.

Our lives are like meandering lace, entwined, twisted together, yet turning and wandering down different paths.

Some attempt to find those who have faded with time, and reconstruct the family that was and is for generations to come.

I am one of those people who have been exploring my family history. 

I have fallen in love with the family and enjoy the hunt. 

I hope that those who visit my blog also enjoy what I have to share.

 To some this is a disaster, 

to me it is a treasure.

Hidden gems and clues to our past.

And here is the beginning of organization.

Endless scanning of photos and placing into archival boxes.

Then sleeves? do I need to put them in sleeves?

How many?  

And names....almost no names written on the back of the photos.

Almost 600 photos are scanned, yet the mountain of boxes remain.

I get to spend time with my parents, identifying and writing down stories for many of the photos.

What a privilege and blessing this whole process is.

Today I am thankful that my father was somewhat of a packrat, a casual family historian.

I am new to family history and genealogy. I learn more every day. I have made 3 family connections through Ancestry.com that I didn't know existed.

I have made contact to a couple family members through my parents. Everyone has been so wonderful and helpful.

Thank you all for your help, I hope you enjoy the journey with me.

Sincerely, 

Kathy, the current generation Hall family historian.