As a genealogist I am a gatherer of information. I gather birthdates and anniversaries; military service details; addresses and cemeteries. I have scraps of paper, spiral notebooks, folders and books. I have photographs, Bibles and year books. My laptop is filled with files.
Genealogy is more than just gathering. I believe it is also about sharing. I share the bits of data I collect in my blog posts and on my website. However, to know the full story, the people and the times they lived in, I believe a book is required. A book gives me the room and the flexibility to paint a picture of our family over the centuries.
I have written “The Mark Family Story: The Story of the Mark and Other Related Families: Brown, Dick, Gruissy, Heffelfinger, Keck Ritter & Wolf” which is the story of my paternal grandmother’s family. (2011) I have written “Remembrances: The Story of Brady, Coyle, Gardner, Mullane & Other Related Families” which is about my mother’s family roots. (2016) Both were printed through Troy Book Makers in Troy, NY.
Now I am writing
OUR BROWN ROOTS
THE STORY OF OUR BROWN FAMILY TREE
& ITS BRANCHES:
ALFORD,
ASHLEY,
BRUMFIELD,
DILLON,
FORTENBERRY,
HOLLIS,
KELLY,
KENNINGTON,
LAWRENCE,
OTT
SMITH,
& SPURLOCK
This has been a work in progress for several years and it is approaching completion. My daughter, Alyssa, is editing my format, tables & charts & maps. My first cousin, Nancy, is editing each page, each word and punctuation mark. It is amazing that they can find time to help with this enormous venture.
As the end appears in sight, I am reluctant to take time away from its completion, but I will attempt to document that final process here. Please be sure to leave comments. I welcome suggestions and encouragement to help me reach my goal.
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This is awesome. How do you find time to do it?
ReplyDeleteVery interested in following along as you complete this Brown family history! Please post occasional snippets showing each element (what the format looks like, what a chart looks like, how you created your maps, etc.). You are so lucky to be able to involve members of the family in this wonderful project.
ReplyDeleteThis is great… I’m still in the Gathering part.. wrote a few pieces for the blog I only have the name/site for.. and getting myself ready for the big step of starting the blog. Congrats on your accomplishments!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on getting to the point of publishing your book. The dream becoming reality. I’ll be excited to read your posts and book when I have time. I share many of your surnames!
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