Don't Give Up!

Submitted by:
HOST GFS DdH2@aol.com

 

When I first started doing genealogy all I had to go on was a small piece of paper with the names of my Father's siblings, parents, grandparents, and a set of Great Grandparents. The only dates on this piece of paper were the birth dates of my father's siblings. The names of the Great Grandparents was their nicknames, not their given name.

Even though it was not much to go on it was a start. I started looking in the SSDI's at the Family History Center because at the time all but one of my Father's brothers were deceased.

Since most of the information was vague it was difficult to trace them; however, grandma did do me one favor by writing down the names of all the towns her children were born in. That was my starting point. Now what can I do. I was lost and needed more information. I gave in and decided to turn to the Internet, which became my life savor.

Once on the Internet I joined a chat group and immediately found my grandmothers line. Fantastic I thought now I could put that side to rest; however it still left many unanswered questions about my Brown side of the family.

Using the census I was able to pinpoint where they were in 1900, but even that was difficult since I did not know that my grandfathers parents had split 20 years earlier and had both remarried several times. I was persistent in posting messages everywhere I was told to leave a message. The persistence paid off. I finally found someone who was a school teacher who taught school to several Brown children in AR. She tracked down my Grandfather's first born from his first, and very short marriage. Although he had long since passed away his wife was still alive. Finally someone who might be able to help.

I finally gained a chance to talk to this woman, who is my Great Aunt, and she out me in touch with her daughter. Wohoo my first Brown cousin that I did not know. The funny thing, she had no clue about us either. Now her daughter is into genealogy and since 1998 we have found a great many other Brown cousins and now we are at our brick wall in 1790's in NC..

What I am trying to tell you is to be persistent. Track down long lost cousins, distant cousins, any older relatives who may be able to help with places and timeframes. When you hit one brickwall try working on another line for a while then come back and look for more information. Post messages all over the Internet. If you can go to a genealogy chat room such as the one on AOL Keyword: ROOTS, do so you just may find a cousin or two who can help add more to your family history.

DdHober

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