Posted in Lagacy News by: Deanne Hanzl Malloy
I was always interested in the birth and growth of our nation (the United States). As a young person I continually had questions about where I came from, which of my ancestors traveled west in a covered wagon, and which ones were in the wars. As an adult I began researching my family history in earnest. The research was difficult at some points but with the invention of the internet and digitized records I have been able to gather hundreds of documents related to my family history. . .
I was always interested in the birth and growth of our nation (the United States). As a young person I continually had questions about where I came from, which of my ancestors traveled west in a covered wagon, and which ones were in the wars. As an adult I began researching my family history in earnest. The research was difficult at some points but with the invention of the internet and digitized records I have been able to gather hundreds of documents related to my family history. . .
In 2000 our daughter was born. We received her for adoption at 7 weeks old. As she has grown there have been times when she has asked where she came from. This spurred me on to research her birth family history. The first surprising thing I found in her family background was that she was actually related to me through my mother's family, way back in the mid 1700's! I found pictures of her birth ancestors online, and was able to trace their migration to the present location.
As I continued her birth family research I found that one of her ancestors was put on the Orphan Train in NY and sent to an adoptive home in the mid-west (along with a twin brother whom he was separated from during his childhood). Her birth family history was really getting exciting.
The most recent thing I discovered was that one of her ancestors came to America on the Mayflower. Wow, lots of great family history. She hasn't asked recently about her birth family, but I know when she does I will be ready. I will share our history with her, but I'm also making a nice family history notebook that will show her what her birth family roots are. I know she will be excited.
