Believe it or not, I'm smiling in that photo! Until a few months ago, I knew next to nothing about my ancestry and had very little go to on. My father was estranged from his family since childhood, and my mother was adopted under the table. Fortunately Dad gave me the name of his mother before he died, and Mom found her biological brother in her 50s when she had her adoption legalized in the courts. One whispered name and a poorly documented photograph was all it took to go beyond my parents in the tree. Never underestimate the value of a clue, even if it appears unimportant at the time! I try to authenticate everything that goes in my tree, but I also trust the work of others. Please let me know if you find any inaccuracies - I'm responsive to all contact. 18 Mar 2010, Florence, Oregon.

Believe it or not, I'm smiling in that photo! Until a few months ago, I knew next to nothing about my ancestry and had very little go to on. My father was estranged from his family since childhood, and my mother was adopted under the table. Fortunately Dad gave me the name of his mother before he died, and Mom found her biological brother in her 50s when she had her adoption legalized in the courts. One whispered name and a poorly documented photograph was all it took to go beyond my parents in the tree. Never underestimate the value of a clue, even if it appears unimportant at the time! I try to authenticate everything that goes in my tree, but I also trust the work of others. Please let me know if you find any inaccuracies - I'm responsive to all contact. 18 Mar 2010, Florence, Oregon.