Roberts Roots & Branches

This is the reason I have difficulty writing about our ancestors.  They are beyond their "records" kept by the state, schools, government, churches and newspapers.  They were living, breathing, feeling people who I never knew.   However, all I have are the records.  The scattered pieces of information here and there.  I gather the records and attempt to piece together who they were.

Recently, I had a very close friend ask me to help him with some genealogy to find his biological family.  He had recently done a DNA test on Ancestry and needed someone to assist with charting relationships.  It is a beautiful story and even now, months later, there are still questions and research to do.   He and his family were able to meet with his biological family and new relationships have developed.   My daughter was interested in a particular family member on my husband's side.  She did as much research as she could and then asked me for help.  I helped as much as I could by conducting computer searches and reading through microfilms and the Family History Library.  Finally, we both had to admit we were at a dead end with the lack of documents available.  Fast forward two years later, and my daughter contacted me about this ancestor again believing she found a DNA match.   Watching these two situations unfold through D...

This is a photograph from WWI and the Spanish Flu pandemic.   Percy Roberts(28) is touching the "T" on the sign.   Percy is the son of Isaac Roberts(10) and Janet Howie(16). Here we are over a hundred years later.   I have had this picture for over twenty years. This picture means something different to me today, than when I received a copy of it.

Because of life events, I was very blessed to be able to spend two school years in Rock Springs, Wyoming.  What a wonderful blessing!  I have had leisurely access to Western Wyoming Community College microfilms, Wyoming's historical books, community events, a creative writing class, local residents and access to community records. I was blessed to freely search unrestricted by the constraints of time and travel.  I have had the blessing of snooping rather than searching from my to-do lists and research logs.  I did not have to worry about check out times, driving home or meals.   I had the time to freely browse the bookshelves at the libraries, bookstores, and thrift stores.  I even found some great historical books at book sales. I have been able to spend two winters in Rock Springs and experience, to an extent the weather; the cold, the snow and the wind.  I have seen the cemetery in the snow, experienced the closing of schools for snow d...

Want to have some genealogy fun with your friends? Try the Relatives Around |Me on FamilySearch Family Tree Quite a few years ago I heard about this concept at the RootsTech innovator competition.  It was fun to watch and hear about the thoughts behind the concept. Today, it is fun to participate and use the program. The first time I used this feature was at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City.  It was fun to see who else at the Library was related.  But then, when we left the Library and went across the street to the mall we saw several of "our relatives" throughout the afternoon. It was interesting to be out in the "world" and see "relatives" that otherwise I would not have known.  It was a "connection" with the rest of the world. I have used it several times with my friends while we were at lunch.  To my surprise twice, with two different friends, I am related through colonial ancestors! I have used it several times ...

Happy Birthday Esther Clough(203) Born April 1876 wife of Hugh Thomas Roberts(12)