It’s been about five decades since I began my family connections journey. My curiosity began to blossom during the Summer of 1976. I started asking my parents questions about their ancestors. I started a journal to record that they shared with me.
What Sparked My Family Connections Quest In My Early Years?
One of my siblings gave me some photos that were discovered in our Grandmother, Mary’s home. I read an article about “Slavery Descendants to Have First Reunion”. (On my father’s side) I watched the original mini series “Roots” on television. And by the early 1980’s, I was really into my family history and wanted to know more.
And Through Those Years And Beyond:
I began to seek, search and find other sources. I wrote letters to relatives, court houses, historical societies, The National Archives and etc. I explored old newspapers. I’m so glad that I did. I began to see some things that I didn’t realize. I thank God for the tool of old newspapers, publishers, publications and the reporter who reported the news.. News articles can set a tone that brings more into the lives our ancestors and relatives. New article adds to their journey.
What A Journey This Has Been Becoming!
There were so many “aha moments of surprises.” The joy of finding things that I didn’t even expect to find. It’s a great feeling. What a legacy to leave behind.
I’m amazed by how far I’ve come on my family history discoveries. I believe that it’s the striving to want to know more that drives me to keep searching. This couldn’t have come about without the leading of the Holy Spirit and other searchers who came along to help me. I wouldn’t be where I am now. Glory be to God.
The searching itself is a great challenge. It’s the gathering of what’s heard or read about; to find what looking for. It takes that want to know and to keep on with the search in order to makes the progress. It becomes an adventurous. I still believe that there’s more information out there waiting to be discovered. And I don’t know where to search, either. Still I’ll keep searching.
Milestone:
I posted this i a blog on October 30, 2020 ( 2024 is the 43th years on since that journey.)
I love discovering my family history. The more I come across leads, it encourages me to keep searching. And this gives me a good feeling inside. It leaves me to think that I’m on the right track. Oh, the mystery!
It was 39 years ago, Friday, October 30, 1981, I took a journey to Sioux City Iowa with my sister, Mary and her boyfriend and future husband, Roger. We were heading to Yankton South Dakota on Saturday, October 31 to visit our Great Aunt L. Mary Blakey and some cousins. They were going to share some things about our family history.
Saturday, October 31, 1981 was the day I was told that Isaac Blakey was my Great Grandfather. I thought John Blakey was. Isaac fought in the Civil War. That blew my thinking.
As I reflect back over my 1981 journey, I’m thankful that we went. I’ve come along ways. I have reconnected with some of my Sioux City and South Dakota relatives on facebook and found more long lost relatives.
Then when I started connecting with some DNA relatives, the journey has become more and more interesting. I’ve been contacted by DNA cousins since October 24, 2014. There are many we’re trying to discover how we are related.
I have had some surprising on my journey to discover my family connection. I have a DNA match with my brother in law’s sister, Terri. We stayed at her house in 1981. What a small world we live in. Yes, my brother in law is my distant cousin. We don’t know who our common ancestors are.
My quest continues. I’m so thankful for all that I have stumbled across on my lineage. I’m still digging for my roots. And I’m discovering more lost relatives even to this day.
Thanks for reading.
Since The Beginning Of The Journey: It Has Been Challenging
Thank God for all who have encouraged me along the journey.
#52Ancestors In Week 44
God bless you
S.A.Blakley
Week 44 ~ Amy Johnson Crow’s #52Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge for 2024
The theme for Week 44 is “Challenging.” Some ancestors are easy to research. Others, not so much. Who has been challenging to research? Another way you could approach the prompt is an ancestor who challenged something in their life.
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