To anyone other than a genealogist, getting excited when you learn about a tragedy in your family history is kind of morbid. But I wouldn’t say the word “excited” is exactly the right term. Interested. Fascinated. Connected. In July of 1870, my third great grandfather, Orlando Shrum, was a successful young brickmason in Halbert Township…
I’m no stranger to writing. I write every day in my job. I started this blog to write. I joined Amy Johnson Crowe’s genealogy writing challenge to write more. I even have a degree in Journalism, for heaven’s sake. But for whatever reason I’m stalled when it comes to writing the “big” stories in my…
A few weeks ago, we moved my older sister out of the apartment she and Mom shared for the past 3 years. Mom died this past December. My sister didn’t really need that second bedroom, and the rent was higher than she could really afford. So,we helped her get settled down the road in a…
When you’ve faced life threatening times, you don’t sweat the small stuff. “I always joke with people…you know you’ve truly survived cancer when you get mad in traffic. Because of course, then you are back to sweating the small stuff. ” keynote speaker, Scott Hamilton told us as we interviewed him at RootsTech 2018. When…
A full month has passed since RootsTech 2018, and the experience is still kicking around in my head. I’ve been looking for a way to express my take-away from the conference. It’s my third RootsTech I’ve attended and the first as an Ambassador. I’ll be highlighting my full interviews with the fabulous keynote speakers from RootsTech….
What exactly constitutes an heirloom? I have my grandmother’s beautiful art-deco engagement ring I was entrusted with because I was named for her. I wear it every day. I also have my paternal great-grandmother’s wedding band that was handed down to me. Her fingers were so small and thin I can’t even get it onto…