Sunday, September 2, 2012

"Keep some souvenirs of your past, or how will you ever prove it wasn't all a dream?"

I have been researching my family tree for over 30 years. I've always loved history.  In fact, I have a degree in it. I grew up going to family reunions.  My paternal grandfather, George Cross, was one of 9 children and all his siblings but one were within a 20 mile radius, so those family gatherings were rather large. Family and family stories have been a part of me for as long as I can remember.

But it was the birth of my only child, a daughter, in May of 1981, that was the catalyst to really start me on my journey into the past.

The photo up in the right had corner is one I grew up looking at in my grandfather's photo album every time we would visit. They only lived a little over a mile from us, so we visited a lot, and I looked at that picture a lot.  In the back on the left is his father, my great grandfather, Henry A. Cross. He died 2 years before I was born. Oh how I wish I could have known him.

I have that same longing to know all of my ancestors!  Come along with me as I journey back and let me introduce you to some of the most interesting people I have ever "met."

Here's one of the most important of those interesting people, my father, John Stanley Cross.  This picture was taken a year or so  before I was born.


Daddy was born in 1930.  But wait, we'll save more of his story for another post.

Thank you for coming along for the ride.

Valerie


14 comments:

  1. You are off to a great start! Congrats!

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    1. Carol,

      Thank you so much for stopping by and for the encouragement.

      I appreciate it!

      Valerie

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    2. I just realized I've been responding to the comments incorrectly...

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  2. This is wonderful! I look forward to learning more about my past. Love you!

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    1. Georgi,

      Thank you so much for checking it out. Love you little sister!!!

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  3. Welcome to the world of genealogical blogging! I love the photo of your dad :)

    Michele
    Ask A Genealogist
    http://ancestoring.blogspot.com/

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    1. Hi Michele,

      Thank you for your encouragement. I appreciate it!

      Valerie

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  4. Valerie, your blog looks great! =)

    ~Caroline

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    1. Caroline, I consider that high praise! Thank you so much!!!

      Valerie

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  5. Hi Valerie,

    I found your blog via the Facebook Group "Technology for Genealogy." It looks great! I'm a fairly new genealogy blogger myself (almost 5 months now). Welcome to the genealogy blogging community! Oh, and the photo of your dad is really fun!

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    1. Hi Jana,

      Thank you for checking it out.

      My father and mother still have the tricycle!

      Valerie

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    2. Valerie, In 1976 I wrote your grandpa Cross's story in the Webb Centennial booklet that was put together. I remember listening to his story and being so fascinated by it! I don't know how good of a job I did on it, but it started me on my own family history journey. I've been at it for 40 years. With the advent of internet and ancestry.com it's become much easier, though it still pays to be cautious about information! I have 8 huge notebooks filled with pictures, letters, cards and I am so sad that most of my family is disinterested. I love your idea of a blog though! Maybe I'll copy. There's so much to tell! I'll follow yours with interest since I feel like i know your whole family so well...

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    3. Sue,

      I have treasured that article your wrote! Thank you so much for doing it.

      I had no idea you were tracing your family tree too. I think maybe reading snippets of info presented in a blog is much more interesting to our families. I hope so anyway!

      Thank you so much for taking the time to comment.

      Valerie

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    4. I should proof better before I hit publish. your=you

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