Dinosaur Day Preservation

I started my own journey many years ago with simple tools that were available in those far off, archaic days of film cameras and scrapbooks and photo albums. Our written stories were recorded in diaries and journals or personal hand-written letters. Mementos were stored away in “treasure boxes” like old metal lunch boxes and cardboard storage boxes. The most special of items (of a small nature) were shut away in safety deposit boxes, never to see the light of day.

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6 Reasons Why You Should Digitize Your Photos and Documents

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Where is it??? Where did I save it????

When was the last time you needed a picture or document and couldn’t find it? Did you buy or download a digital book or map and can’t remember where you saved it? Maybe it was a file you saved years ago or maybe it was something you found just last week.

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Meeting Grampa … Again

Wilbur Franklin Stump

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks 2019 – I’d Like to Meet

The 52 Ancestors challenge for Week 4 (since i’m trying to play catch up) is “I’d Like to Meet”. As a genealogist who has been researching for many years, this list is long, full, and “colorful”. There are dozens of individuals on my list who are direct ancestors, not to mention all those who are cousins, uncles, aunts, in-laws, and such.

Wilbur Franklin Stump
Wilbur Franklin Stump

This is my first official “52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks” challenge and the person who came to mind first is actually someone I have met … my grandfather, Wilbur Franklin Stump. So my challenge title is “I’d Like to Meet … Again”.

My grandfather (“Grampa” as my grandmother used to say when she would sign cards and letters) died when I was 13 years old. He passed away on my older brother’s birthday and was buried on my younger brother’s birthday. It was just after Thanksgiving. I remember the night well. My parents received the call after we had gone to bed, but I can clearly remember the emotions as I lay in my bed listening to my mom’s side of the conversation. They didn’t tell us until the next morning, but I already knew what was coming.

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52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge

I did it!

I finally took the plunge! This challenge has been around for a few years. I’m not typically the person who jumps on the band wagon the first time I hear about it. I tend to be a lurker and watch what is being done and how people respond to things before I jump in. The same is true about this one. This year is certainly going to be a year of new things for me to do.

Family Photo
My grandmother’s siblings

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My Genealogy Do-Over

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1992 … The beginning of my search into my family history.

My early years of research were filled with many poor research habits. I first started using paper and pencil with the many varieties of forms common in genealogy. I loved computers and was quick to look into the early genealogy databases that were available back in the day. My first choice was a program called Brother’s Keeper. It was one of the few available at the time and I loved the data entry process and the ability of the computer to keep track of the data without the need to rewrite it over and over. I also loved the neat forms and reports that could be printed and shared.

From there my appreciation of computer data programs for genealogy was set in stone.

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Beginning My Ancestral Journey

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Twenty-six years ago, I began my journey into genealogy. My mom had been interested for a number of years and I had an aunt who had been looking into one side for a while. My daughters were just 2 and 3 at the time. Mom and I had been talking about family stories and we just decided one day to jump into the “gene” pool and see where it took us.

We started in the most obvious place… Write down what we “know” and then… “Let’s talk to our older family members…….” Continue reading “Beginning My Ancestral Journey”

Future Past Memories

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The following is something I wrote several years ago, but has been in my thoughts lately. Take the time not only to Preserve Your Journey but also to create the memories that WRITE Your Journey.

 

Today I spent the day visiting my past… college days from some 30-ought years ago. Took my daughter (21) for our third venture to my college Homecoming. It was a beautiful day but strong winds and cool/cold temperatures.

We arrived early with the hopes of connecting with some college friends, but timed things poorly. The day’s events were pushed back later in the day then I had expected so we roamed the campus (although a small campus indeed) for several hours visiting a few of the campus buildings and taking a few pictures and remembering a few stories. Continue reading “Future Past Memories”