At the beginning I assumed “doing genealogy” would simply involve tracing my Inlow relatives back as far as I could go. It didn’t take long to realize that would barely be scratching the surface.
One grandmother had a DAR pin…did that mean I had a Revolutionary War ancestor?
My son told me there was “Cheney this” and “Cheney that” in the Connecticut town where he lived. Could we have early Connecticut “Cheney connections”?
In searching out the possible Cheney roots I not only discovered early Cheney ancestors, but also ancestors who, quite literally, arrived on the Mayflower.
I love American history. Now it seemed that everywhere I looked I found ancestors who were among the first to arrive and settle in the Colonies…Pilgrims. Who were among those who risked all — in words and deeds — to establish a new nation…Patriots. Who moved out into the unknown, carving out homes and futures in a wilderness…Pioneers.
Everywhere I turned I saw ancestors at crossroads moments in the history that has made our nation what it is: pilgrims, patriots, pioneers. They stood alongside a host of others who were ordinary folks…”salt of the earth,” we sometimes call them. Farmers, shop keepers, Oklahoma sooners. Abolitionists and slave-holders. Sheriffs, blacksmiths and outlaws (including Red, who rode with the James Brothers! and the relative who was shot dead trying to stop a prison break in Wyoming!). Doctors, teachers and preachers. LOTS of preachers! Soldiers and sailors, a Coast Guardsman who rode horse patrol on the Outer Banks during WWII, and at least one real life spy during the American Revolution. Many have filled my mind with wonder and my heart with awe over their accomplishments. Others have humbled me with their simple faithfulness to God, alongside their devotion to family, community and country. I’ve laughed out loud at some of the things I’ve read about them. And more than a few have caused me to scratch my head, while with sadness wondering, “how could they have done such a thing?”
My family…OUR family. Part of America. Pilgrims…Patriots…Pioneers…and much more.
I’m trying to seek them out. Learn their stories. Record them here. I’m no longer “at the beginning”…but I’m still just getting started. I saw a chart recently which said that by my tenth great grandparents I could have as many a 8190 direct ancestors, if I add them all together. And that doesn’t include aunts, uncles, cousins, my wife’s family, or my daughters in law’s families!! I am just getting started…better get back to work!
I hope you enjoy what I’m discovering. I’d love your help as I try to learn more about our ancestors and tell more of their stories.