BlueMorel Loc: Southwest Michigan

Does anyone combine genealogy and road trips? I have been doing genealogy for years, my interest sparked by one of my mother's cousins who did extensive genealogy in the pre-Family Treemaker software days. As soon as it came out, I bought Family Treemaker, then Rootsweb online, then Ancestry. It's one of those hobbies that can consume you every once in awhile, and I have taken several trips in America to research, and many online hours documenting. There are almost 27,000 people in my family tree files, more added every time I go to Ancestry or FamilySearch. I've met a few third cousins in person who are also doing genealogy, and many more online.

My recent trip to Cincinnati was to research my husband's grandmother, who was an orphan placed in the Children's Home there along with some siblings. The orphanage records are not yet online, but the Cincinnati Historical Society has their holdings and I was able to find out who they were placed with. Except for my husband's grandmother, whose placement was noted but no name given. I could have spent days or weeks at their library, but, alas, had only a few days.

Trips I'd like to take: the Boston area, since many of my mother's ancestors were among the founders of the Boston-area towns like Newton, Essex, Salem, as well as some Connecticut towns. Also Fort Boone in Kentucky, as I am descended from Daniel Boone's brother Edward. And Middlesex County, Virginia, where a couple of lines of my ancestors from my mother's and father's side held sway. So many places, so little time!

If anyone has questions on doing genealogy research, please pm me.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

It is fascinating.
I do journals vs just names on the tree though.
I have many volumes of writings of ancestors as well as writings about them.
My sister did the tree part many years ago.
It is fascinating and going to where they lived as you are doing is a wonderful idea.
I have been to some locations but have not made a conscious effort to do it.
Good idea.

BlueMorel Loc: Southwest Michigan

Jounaling is a great idea. I add notes in the Ancestry tree when I find out something interesting. Visiting the areas where ancestors live make me feel more in touch with them. My husband's family had many working-class people, and while in Cincinnati I could understand their origins better. Many of my people were farmers, which may be why I prefer rural areas though I've lived in cities and towns for 50 years before moving to the country. And many of my husband's people stayed put in the same area while my people were wanderers, never staying put for more than a generation in most cases. I have shirt-tail relatives all over, and my own family is scattered.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Not normally, just to visit relatives.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Mine wandered as well. The most recent immigrants was my father's father from Mexico during the Revoluccion.
Some really fascinating stories and journals from him and his family of the period and gun fights etc.

BlueMorel Loc: Southwest Michigan

Sounds like you have a rich history to draw upon, and you are adding to it!
My ancestors, even the more educated ones, didn't seem to write journals much. There are a few stories handed down, and I've tried to include them in my Ancestry files for others to read afterward. Some family stories turn out to be only apocryphal, like the Scottish great-great- grandfather married three times, who was supposed to have gone back to Scotland to get new wives when his first and second died. However, both of those wives turned out to have been born in the States. Others, like my great-grandma having to sue her brothers for her inheritance, are backed up by official records. Researching these family stories keeps it interesting!

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

A great great ...grandfather wrote a book titled "Forty Years Among The Indians". It is still available and is a great read. He wrote more intelligently and eloquently with an eighth grade education than 99% of those today with doctoral degrees.
I had 2 great uncles who robbed a stage coach and "Doc" Holliday is a relative. Have the genealogy to prove it.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Cool about Doc Holliday!
You're lucky on the book!!!
I have an uncle that privately published a book called "The Brisbins of America". He lived in Abington, PA.
Have NOT found any copy of the book yet.....
I've no idea how many copies may have been made.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Look at library of Congress.

happy sailor Loc: Ontario, Canada

We went to a town in France last year where my wife’s 9th great grandfather had built the circular stone stairs in the church in 1619. This year we visited Great Britain visited many villages, towns and cities that both of our ancestors had been born married lived and or died. We went to addresses to see what was there now. It was very interesting and made for a super vacation.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Thanks, I'll investigate that.

BlueMorel Loc: Southwest Michigan

Sounds like a great trip! I haven't even made it to PEI where my Dad's Scottish ancestors came in the early 1800's. My Dad went there and to Scotland, where he hit a deadend because of so many of the same age and name marrying so many of the same age and name. That's as close as we've gotten to overseas genealogy trips.

dancers Loc: melbourne.victoria, australia

My mum.1903-1994 used to say..." we don't check our past, we are not game" LOL

FrankR Loc: NYC

Not a road trip, a walk in the neighborhood, as my entire family except those in Sicily and one aunt in Queens, lived within seven blocks of each other.

rvharvey Loc: Southern New Jersey

I have been writing my autobiography for the past 25 years and won't be finished until I am dead. One of my grandchildren has read over 500 of the letter-size pages. My question: Can someone else copyright my autobiography and collect royalties if it isn't finished and still in digital form? I don't charge for downloads and would hate for that to happen!