Pay it Forward...

My initial objective when i first started my research was to trace my family tree back to my great grandparents.  Having accomplished that goal, with the help of great online resources, i wanted to help others with their research.   I decided to volunteer my skills to the World Archive Project through Ancestry.com., keying in data from scanned records, so they are indexed on the Ancestry website.

The World Archive project allows people to help others gain access to new records that will help them in their own research.  It also allows the data entry operators know what new records will be coming online, and if it is useful to them.  The greatest benefit to me,personally, is knowing i can provide one more clue to someone solving their family mysteries.

Give back, pay it forward, any way you say it - help others when you can.  It may not seem like much, but your efforts can mean a great deal to the people you've helped.

O' Canada....

This morning started like any other, checking my email and Facebook.  I noticed my niece posted that she had to help her daughter with a family tree assignment.  Having done a little investigating on her mom's tree before, i thought i'd do a quick search to see what else i could come up with for her.  Lo and behold, i found a trail of records, going back three generations.  Her mom's father was from Canada originally.  Amazingly, i was able to find a clear document trail back to his parents and even to his grandparent who came from Scotland.  I wish all my records could be as easy to find.

What a rush!  I still get so exciting uncovering another clue, another step into the past. My sister-in-law just celebrated her birthday, and have i got THE present for her.  I can't wait to share it with her!

A Mass of Information....

A friend recently asked where she should start looking for information to start her family tree.  She was quite surprised when i told her to check through the mass cards, floral / memorial cards and funeral guest registers from her parents.  Granted, it may seem ghoulish, but its a valuable source of information.  Check through the signatures and separate the ones you know from the ones you don't know.  Many times these names may be relatives that came to pay their respects.  Also, make note of the funeral home  and cemetery so you can update your parents internment information.

When you have your list of unidentified folks, search for them online and with other family members who may recognize the names.  Make note of any titles (Dr., Sr., Fr., etc) as these will give you extra occupational clues to search by.

When checking mass cards, make note of where the church is that the mass is being said in.  That will let your know approximately the area where this new contact lived.  If it's in the town your parent grew up in, keep a note that it may be the parish to check with for baptismal and marriage records.

My biggest set of records are all the memorial cards my parents gathered over the years.  Mom had them secreted in the bottoms of drawers, in envelopes with old greeting cards, among old letters and diaries.  It was quite a pile to work on. 

Go through each item carefully and put each type together as a group, so you can refer back to them easily.  Even the littlest items can provide the largest clues.

Family Photos...

Good news!!! I finally figured out a way to add family photos with an album gallery.  I'm not the tech-head I used to be, but it will work.  I still have to make some adjustments to the pic sizes, but it's getting there.  Check out the "Family Photos" tab on the menu bar.   Hope this can work for other folks pages as well.  Enjoy!

Proof Positive...

It's been quite a week for my tree.  We've actually received the information on my  grandfather's sister, the Franciscan nun.  In the archival record we received from the order, she was born Helen Patricia McCann, daughter of James McCann and Mary Peyton. 

I can't tell you how happy i was to see those two names.  I finally have the proof that i have the right family in my tree.  As I never had my grandfather's death certificate, i could never verify 100% that I had his correct parents listed....up until now that is. 

While there are still questions surrounding Sister Marian, my lengthiest mystery has now come to a close. With James and Mary confirmed as their parents, i can breathe easier, secure in the knowledge that my work has been verified.

Evidence in genealogical records can be hard to come by as we all know.  Proving each member of your tree can be a mind-numbing experience.  The reward, however, is well worth the effort.

Picture Perfect.....

It's amazing the effect a picture can have on a person.  I recently received a picture
from my cousin Joanne (who i recently met through Ancestry) of my grandfather with his
brothers and sister-in-law.  I instantly recognized the face, even though i was only a
kid when he passed. I couldn't thank Joanne enough for sending me the photo, as it was
one no one in my family had ever seen.  I am so glad i started this project years back.
It's photos like this and the new family members i've met along the way that keep
inspiring me.

Share your family photos when you can.  You never know the effect they'll have.

And then there was......Nun

Big news!!!  My cousin Bob (who i met through Ancestry) recently came across a mass card for his grandfather's sister - the Sister.  Pardon the bad pun, but this has been such a breakthrough.  According to the card, the mass was for Sister Marian Therese McCann (8/17/1891 - 2/15/1972) who was a member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Third Order of St. Francis.  It lists her burial at Resurrection Cemetery (trying to find out which one yet - getting more info). If the birthdate is correct, it would most likely be my grandfather's sister Eliza, who became Marian Therese when she joined the order.  Eliza (aka Lizzie) lived with my grandparents upon her arrival in the US according to the 1910 census, but I was unable to find any record of her in the next census.  I think i found my reason. 

On another note, i also got introduced to a new cousin, Joanne, who Bob suggested correspond with me regarding her own research project.  It's such a pleasure making new friends and meeting new family.  Family finds family, and we all keep trying to find more of ours.  Happy hunting!!!