Teach Me Genealogy

The Paradox of our Time in History by Bob Moorehead

2015-10-23T07:07:00.000-07:00

"The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but
shorter tempers, wider Freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more,
but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and
smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees
but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more
problems, more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little,
drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too
little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom. We have multiplied our
possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and
hate too often.

We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to
life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but
have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer
space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things.

We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom,
but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but
accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more
computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we
communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small
character, steep profits and shallow relationships.

These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but
broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway
morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything
from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the
showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can
bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share
this insight, or to just hit delete...

Remember, to spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not
going to be around forever. Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks
up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave
your side.

Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the
only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.

Remember, to say, "I love you" to your partner and your loved ones, but most
of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from
deep inside of you.

Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person might not be there again. Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind."
-Bob Moorehead

"We Don't OWN Our Family History..."

2015-10-21T07:07:00.000-07:00

"We don't own our family history. We simply preserve it for the next generation."

-Rosemary Alva

“Let Us Not Only Remember The Past And It’s Required Sacrifice..." -Thomas S. Monson

2015-10-20T20:00:00.001-07:00

“Let us not only remember the past and its required sacrifice, let us also remember that we are responsible to build a legacy for the generations which follow us.” -Thomas S. Monson

When you finally go back to your old home, you find it wasn't the old home you missed but your childhood. Sam Ewing

2015-01-30T07:07:00.000-07:00

"When you finally go back to your old home, you find it wasn't the old home you missed but your childhood." -Sam Ewing

The Old Home Place - By Mary Walker Butler

2015-01-30T01:16:00.001-07:00

The Old Home Place
By: Mary Walker-Butler

I can see the crooked boards
That line the outer walls.
I can smell the age-old scent
I hear the rooster call.

I like the lingering aroma
Of Grandma’s old cook stove,
As she prepares to bake her pies
Using apples from the grove.

I see her wipe her wrinkled hands
Upon the apron which she wore.
Then she stokes the dying coals,
To start the fire once more.

Grandpa, in his chair he sits,
As he whittles on some wood.
He loves to do creative things.
It makes him feel real good.

I hear the clanging of a bell;
Oh, the cows are coming up.
Grandpa folds his pocketknife
And empties his coffee cup.

He gives his tired, old body
A good, long, needed stretch.
To the pasture he slowly walks.
I know the cows he’ll fetch.

The old home-place still looks good.
It gives my heart a lift.
To see and smell the age-old rooms,
Is such a precious gift.

I even feel the spirits
Of the two dear, precious souls,
That together cared for home & hearth
And reached their well-planned goals.

Some Day You'll Be Just a Memory For Some People...

2015-01-30T00:50:00.002-07:00

One day you'll be just a memory for some people. Do your best to be a good one.

Photo Credit: Lessons Learned in Life

I Saw Behind Me Those Who Had Gone...

2015-01-28T00:53:00.000-07:00

"I saw behind me those who had gone, and before me those who are to come. I looked back and saw my father, and his father, and all our fathers, and in front to see my son, and his son, and the sons upon sons beyond. And their eyes were my eyes." -Richard Llewellyn

11 Things You Should Know About Find A Grave

2015-01-25T00:00:00.000-07:00

Find A Grave is one website I use often. In fact, when I first started my genealogy, I used it so much that I decided to become a volunteer which allowed me to photograph headstones and submit them to the website for others to see. When you go to www.findagrave.com, you'll notice that this outdated little website has much more to offer than you can imagine and you'll agree when you get there.

11 Things you should know about Find A Grave, www.findagrave.com

It's Free! That's right it's free for all of us; no strings attached.
This database contains over 115 million (and counting) grave records and gets an average of 8 million online visitors a day.
Your ancestors online memorials could be on find a grave and you probably don't even realize it.
Thousands of volunteers all over the world are the reason why find a grave is a success. Volunteers take photographs of headstones and submit them to the website. You can "request" a photo to be taken of your ancestor(s) and within 14 days, you will recieve an email when someone has photographed and transcribed your ancestors headstone and added it to Find a Grave.
You can become a volunteer at find a grave. Here's how...
Find a Grave has joined up with Ancestry.com and has allowed all their info to be found on ancestry.com's searches.
You can easily "transfer" an online memorial to another person. For example: When you manage online memorials at find a grave, you submit the info and photographs and you add more info or edit your managed memorials at any time. But, sometimes others would like ownership because they are a family member. In that case, I will transfer the online memorial to them because they are family and chances are they will have more information on that ancestor than I do.
You can search famous people and find their final resting places on find a grave.
You can read through the endless amounts of "Success Stories" on find a grave, see here.
On find a grave you will often find important information like: name of deceased, date birth and death dates, the cemetery name and place, the plot location, photographs of headstones, obituaries, biographies, other family members, linked family members, life sketches, maps, etc.
I highly recommend Find A Grave to everyone.

21 Things You Need To Know About Ancestry.com

2015-01-23T22:57:00.000-07:00

21 Things You Need To Know About Ancestry.com:

Ancestry.com is the world's largest online family history resource home to billions of historical records, millions of family trees and much more. It's also the world's leading network of businesses dedicated to helping everyone discover, preserve and share their family history.
You are offered a 14 day FREE trial before signing up. You get to "try it" before you "buy it".
Once you have a membership, Ancestry helps you to grow your family tree by showing little green leaves (hints) on your family tree when there's a match for one of your ancestors. I just recently found out that my great great grandfather served in the Civil War because of one of these green leaves. I clicked on it and it brought me to his original military record. I love this feature!! Read the story here.
You can export your family tree as a gedcom file, so you can load it to any software of your choice. A free tutorial about how to do this is here.
You can connect with living relatives and become acquainted with each other and share your family history.
You can easily find and share photos of your ancestors.
You can compare family trees and work with others to prove and or fix errors.
You can share your family tree with family members. This allows them to see your family tree and the changes you make.
You can easily "gift" a subscription to anyone you choose.
Ancestry.com has created their own Family Tree Maker software that allows you to easily sync your family tree and records from ancestry.com. Family Tree Maker ranges in price from $29 - $69.
You can choose to have your family tree "public" or "private".
Ancestry.com helps you to remember what you've searched for by keeping a log of your "recent activity". This comes in handy when you're researching many different names and families.
You can create a Bio and link all your websites into your profile for others to see.
You can easily print free pedigree charts and custom charts for a reasonable price.
You can publish family history books through Ancestry.com.
Ancestry.com has DNA tests for Ethnicity & Genealogical DNA. The cost is $99.
Ancestry.com has teamed up with many other genealogical websites to give you more records all in one place.
If you stop paying for your membership, you will still have access to your family tree, pictures and documents that you uploaded; just not the historical records offered by Ancestry.com. However, if you own Family Tree Maker Software, you can sync your records from Ancestry.com which gives you a copy of all the historical documents owned by Ancestry.com
Many believe that if you stop paying or cancel your membership, ancestry.com "owns" your genealogy and your family tree. Ancestry.com does not claim ownership of any family tree or genealogy posted from anyone. They only claim ownership of the historical records that have been preserved by their company.
The Cost of an Ancestry membership:

1 Month Membership

$19.99 (US Discovery membership)
$34.99 (World Explorer membership)
$44.99 (World Explorer Plus membership)

6 Month Membership:

$99 (US Discovery membership)
$149 (World Explorer membership)
$199 (World Explorer Plus membership)

Ancestry.com is FREE to use at any LDS Family History Library. You will be assisted by family history volunteers that will help you navigate through Ancestry.com and give you advice on your genealogy. Click here to see a listing of Family History Libraries near you.

The knowledge that we gain through our research turns into our family history which turns into a great treasure for many generations.

Check out www.ancestry.com or call to speak to a customer service representative:

United States

1-800-ANCESTRY (262-3787) (toll free)

Monday - Friday: 9:00 am - 11:00 pm ET

Saturday - Sunday: 9:00 am - 11:00 pm ET

United Kingdom

0800-404-9723 (toll free)

Monday - Friday: 9:00 am - 10:00 pm GMT

Saturday - Sunday: 9:00 am - 8:00 pm GMT

Ireland

1800-303-664 (toll free)

Monday - Friday: 9:00 am - 10:00 pm GMT

Saturday - Sunday: 9:00 am - 8:00 pm GMT

Australia

1-800-251-838 (toll free)

Monday - Friday: 9:00 am - 8:00 pm AEST

Saturday - Sunday: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm AEST

New Zealand

0-800-442-100 (toll free)

Monday - Friday: 11:00 am - 10:00 pm NZST

Saturday - Sunday: 11:00 am - 6:00 pm NZST

Canada

1-800-958-9073 (toll free)

*We do not offer French support on weekends.

Monday - Friday: 9:00 am - 11:00 pm ET

Saturday - Sunday: 9:00 am - 11:00 pm ET

Sweden

020-091 0203 (toll free)

Monday - Friday: 10:00 am - 17:00 CET

Saturday - Sunday: Closed

Other Locations

Country code for the United States +

801-494-8595

Monday - Friday: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm ET

Saturday - Sunday: Closed

Keep connecting the dots! -Sarah

"Remember Me In The Family Tree; My Name, My Days, My Strife..."

2015-01-22T00:30:00.000-07:00

"Remember me in the family tree;

my name, my days, my strife.

Then I'll ride upon the wings of time

and live an endless life."

-Linda Goetsch

About this photo: This is a photograph of my father, Ron (2nd from the left, white shirt, blonde hair), and his 2 cousins, Bobby & Berry Burnes. Grandma told me they had just gotten back from deep sea fishing. The little girl is unknown, but with a little more research, this mystery can be solved. I will remember this girl in our family tree.
Date: 1949
Place: Napa, Napa, California, USA

Keep connecting the dots! -Sarah :)

Every so often your loved ones will open the door from Heaven, and visit you in a Dream...

2015-01-22T00:00:00.001-07:00

"Every so often your loved ones will open the door from Heaven, and visit you in a Dream. Just to say "Hello" and to remind you they are still with you, just in a different way... "

-Matt Fraser

Look closely! Do you see her?

She's my beautiful ancestor; Lillian Burnes Ziegler.

Keep connection the dots! -Sarah :)

A House is Made Of Bricks And Beams. A Home Is Made Of Love And Dreams

2014-12-27T18:06:00.002-07:00

"A house is made of bricks and beams.

A home is made of love and dreams."

-unknown

In this photo:

My great grand uncle; James Jay Burnes Jr. (left)

My great grand aunt; Lena Jane McGowan Burnes (right)

My 1st cousin, twice removed; Florence Elna Burnes (middle, left)

My 1st cousin, twice removed; Benton Byron Burnes (middle, right)

This was their first home. Built around 1910 in Fruitdale, Washington, Alabama.

Keep connecting the dots! -Sarah :)

You Never Said Goodbye: A Poem About Losing a Loved One

2014-10-23T13:26:00.001-07:00

YOU NEVER SAID GOODBYE

Author Unknown

You never said I'm leaving

You never said goodbye.

You were gone before I knew it,

And only God knew why.

A million times I needed you,

A million times I cried.

If love alone could have saved you,

You never would have died.

In life I loved you dearly,

In death I love you still.

In my heart you hold a place,

That no one could ever fill.

It broke my heart to lose you,

But you didn't go alone

For part of me went with you,

The day God took you home.

We Are The Children Of Many Sires

2014-10-23T07:07:00.000-07:00

"We are the children of many sires, and every drop of blood in us in its turn ... betrays its ancestor." -Ralph Waldo Emerson

-Sarah :)

I Wish I Had Realized That Family History is a Perishable Commodity

2014-10-22T22:55:00.002-07:00

"I wish I had realized that family history is a perishable commodity. It disappears with time, as memories fade, and as loved ones pass on. I wish I had known that the most important aspect of family history is preserving a record of the present for the future." -Guy Black

So true! Start preserving YOUR life history... right now!

-Sarah :)

Those Who Forget Their Past Are Destined To Repeat It

2014-10-21T23:05:00.000-07:00

"Those who forget their past are destined to repeat it." -Robert A. Heinlein

Keep connecting the dots! -Sarah :)

We're All Stories In The End. Just Make It A Good One.

2014-10-14T23:21:00.000-07:00

"We're all stories in the end. Just make it a good one." -Unknown

Make your story great! -Sarah :)

If You Would Not Be Forgotten, As Soon As You Are Dead And Rotten

2014-10-07T23:48:00.000-07:00

"If you would not be forgotten, as soon as you are dead and rotten; either write things worthy of reading, or do things worthy of writing." -Benjamin Franklin

Keep connecting the dots! -Sarah :)

If You Want to Understand Today, You Need To Search Yesterday

2014-09-09T23:12:00.000-07:00

"If you want to understand today, you need to search yesterday." -Pearl S. Buck

Keep connecting the dots! -Sarah :)

You Know You're A Genealogist If Your Vacation Bucket List Includes Fort Wayne, Salt Lake City and Washington D.C.

2014-07-17T13:11:00.003-07:00

"You know you’re a genealogist if your vacation bucket list includes Fort Wayne, Salt Lake City, and Washington, D.C. (all in the same year)" -Unknown

Genealogists, am I right?

Keep connecting the dots on your next trip to Salt Lake City.

-Sarah :)

If You Think Your Family Is Normal, Then You Are Probably Not A Genealogist

2014-07-16T13:19:00.000-07:00

"If you think your family is normal, then you are probably not a genealogist." -unknown

Keep connecting the dots! -Sarah :)

99% Of A Child's Awesomeness Comes From Their Grandma :)

2014-07-15T13:32:00.000-07:00

99% of a child's awesomeness comes from their grandma... just saying.

"What I Like About Photographs is That They Capture a Moment That's Gone Forever, Impossible to Reproduce."

2014-07-14T22:51:00.002-07:00

"What I like about photographs is that they capture a moment that's gone forever, impossible to reproduce." -Karl Lagerfeld

About this photo: This beautiful couple (in the background) are my grand aunt Jessie Christy and grand uncle Harry Christy and their sweet baby.

Date: 1944

Place: Jefferson County, Iowa

The Old Scrapbook - Poem By C. Nathalie Ellen Milliken

2014-07-09T13:29:00.003-07:00

"The Old Scrapbook"

By C. Nathalie Ellen Milliken

It speaks of times now long ago

In a voice so soft and low,

Come, my friend, see what you can see,

Come and take a look at me.

My bright colors are faded and dim,

But my spirit is bright within,

Pictures of people in days gone by,

Laughing and crying, we know not why,

Cards and pamphlets, and programs old,

What are the stories they have told?

Wrapping paper, an old gift tag,

Pieces of this, and bits of that,

Little treasures that people have saved,

Celebrations of special days,

So many mem’ries my pages fill,

They’re waiting now to give you a thrill,

So come, my friend, come take a look,

I am a very special old book,

My binding is cracked, but my heart is whole,

Looking at me is like finding gold.

We Don't Remember Days; We Remember Moments

2014-07-08T17:11:00.003-07:00

"We don't remember days' we remember moments." -Cesare Pavese

About this photo: This is my father (and his dog) and grandfather in Napa, California. 1952.