When I was in the 8th grade, we had to do a project that involved finding out something about our family. I don’t remember the exact details; however, when I asked my grandmother the question she said we were related to Daniel Boon. That was the beginning.
It wasn’t until years later at a family reunion that I became more interested and decided to trace my family. I started with my maternal side and looking for my Boon ancestors. I’ve done a lot of work, but still have not determined for sure who my 4th great-grandfather’s parents were.
Genealogy has become my passion, or addiction if you will. I enjoy the hunt and finding ancestors, whether they are mine or yours, and adding to the family tree. Finding those little bits and pieces that make that ancestor come alive are a part of the challenge also.
I grew up on a farm in Wayne County, Ohio, just outside Fredericksburg. My mother’s parents lived just across the way from us with fields and a railroad dividing the farms. Today I still live on the farm, but where my dad and his father operated a coal mine before WW II. Even though the mines have not been in operation since the early 40s, we still pick-up chunks of coal from our yard. And we also find bricks from the brick factory that was on the property in the late 1800s.
I have been working as a professional researcher since 1996. I attend national conferences as I can and have attended the annual state conference since 1992. I will treat your family as my own when researching.