Wow who knew when the month of November rolled around I would
find myself so busy that I would neglect posting on my blog. I’m sure that has
never happen to anyone else. (Insert a smile with a few giggles.) Well let me catch you up on all of the fun
that has taken place in my world of family, genealogy, history and research. We
celebrated another successful Halloween making memories. My parents joined us
in the trick-or-treat festivities and a day trip into Philadelphia. If you ever have the chance to walk around
parts of Philadelphia prepare yourself for the amount of history you will see,
hear and feel. Wonderful!
I presented “Searching Newspapers” at the Downstate Delaware
Genealogical Society, on the 10th of October, I believe I already blogged on
that experience. I then had the opportunity
to present “Getting Started” at the Appoquinimink Community Library and had a
fun time with a great turn out and some wonderful questions. I will be
presenting there again on the 13th of January “Researching from Your
Couch,” sharing some sites you can view from the comfort of your home while
research your ancestors.
Before the night of witches, ghost and goblins I had the opportunity
to be interviewed and appear in a local documentary on Middletown, “Middletown
USA.” Nadine Owens Burton is the spirit behind this project and she continues to
pour her love for Middletown our history and growth into this film. It was
interesting to learn through this filming that there are actually 22 towns
called Middletown within the United States. You’re invited to view her page,
http://www.middletownusathemovie.com/ and
see what she has accomplished so far.
During the month of November I found myself working on research
for a few clients and was able to reveal my work to one client. She was so
delighted to learn more about her family and had a better understanding as to
why her grandmother was so tough. Sometimes we hear stories about how one of
our ancestors seemed to always be grumpy or wouldn’t spend a dime. Maybe they were
always wrapped in a blanket while sitting in their home. She couldn’t
understand why in the world her grandmother wouldn’t turn on the heat and insisted
that a blanket and fire was all that was needed to keep her home warm. After
reading some of the stories she had better understanding and found a new
respect for that “grumpy grandma.”
I also had the opportunity to be one of the 12 presenters during
a career fair at one of the local middle schools. I know that I’ve posted
before on the fun I have presenting to our youth and their desire to learn
more. Some of the questions I got were what you might expect, “how much money can you make,” “do you
have a college degree,” “what it the hardest thing to find while researching.”
Some of the unusual questions that made me laugh were “do you have to dig up the bodies of the ancestors,” and “is the paper
they would write stuff on still alive.” There were some really questions about DNA,
difference between a record and a vital record and what information can be
found in a cemetery. I had a few hands on items for them to view which always
helps with the history connection.
Whew…now onto this wonderful month of December. Finished
closing another wonderful client and shared in the joy of her discovery. I was
lucky enough to have some of her family’s history available to share with her
from our local Middletown Historical Society. I’ve said it before and will say
it again; your local historical society might have that key to unlocking some
of your family’s history.
