I've never done this tracking who I come from thing in any real depth, so I don't know much about what I am doing. It's not a passion of mine, but I'd really like to know. For the sake of my kids, and the sake of their eventual children, I need to know where I came from.
My paternal genetic donor once told me that he had traced my lineage back to where I could be a member of "The Daughters of the Americal Revolution", but he never gave me the info.
I've searched on the internet a bit, but can't find much of anything. What I DO know is my father's full name (Ralph Michael Wright), and his mother's name (Josephina Wright). Josephina's husband died of a heart attack over 13 years ago, and they all live(d) in Florida as of the last time I knew their locations. Ralph is not an only child, but I do not know his siblings' names. As you can see, I am at a complete loss for my father's side of the family.
I've checked the free lineage tracking sites with no luck, but I'm not willing to pay a bunch of cash for subscriptions to sites that might not even have the information that I need, just get the family tree. I don't know what the names and such mean as far as fraternal orginizations or how to find out any of that either. I am so new to all this.
Any advice/help would be greatly appreciated.
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Comments: 17
It is fun how ever to do some basic searching on your own. One site that is a good place to start and is free is http://www.usgenweb.org/ .
The best site once you have an idea what is important to you is http://www.cyndislist.com/
I have been doing it research off and on for years. I was able to join the DAR, but only because my grandmother had done most of it for me already. Actually, we were on the Mayflower too.
It is a fun way for kids to feel like a part of history, so look into it:)
You can post your information and whom you're looking for.
If anyone who fits the description also logs in, you'll get an e-mail.
I've had two "hits" from that site already.
http://www.familysearch.org/
I've done quite a little bit of work on my genealogy. I haven't had time since my son was born but I used to have the expensive subscription to Ancestry.com. I imagine I'll have it again one day when I have more time to devote to the topic. When I renew I'll be happy to look up your names for you.
You mean we could be DARs together?
kewl! My dad's moms family go back to the Mayflower, I've got a copy of it but nothing on my mom's fam and nothing for B's fam.
I'd like to know more too.
What I'm wondering is how in the heck, in the days before constant individual surveilance, did they get record of who was supporting independence? I mean, do we as their decendants have to find letters they wrote all that time ago or something?
That would be the easiest thing, or any extended family on his side?
I know that is awkward.
hmmmm.
I don't think they necessarily have records of who supported independence but records of on what side the men fought in the war, etc.
I think it would be a rare thing to have proof dating from then from personal correspondence. It sure would be neat to find it though!
So, when are we going to a DAR meeting?
LOL
I have the copy of the family tree but I don't have the copies of the research my uncle did that were his 'proof'.
Let's just say that I am not even prout to carry his genes, and I am glad I married because now I do not give honor to his name either.
I'd think you would be able to get copies, or at least do research on the folks who were alive in your tree at the time of the revolution. There has to be "proof" somewhere, right? :D Best of luck with that!
I think I am going to write and ask his daughters if they have the research he did. He did it all before computers were everywhere. They traveled a lot and he even went to Salt Lake City to go thru records for himself. There were a lot of false leads before he finally figured it all out!