Family Dynamics

I went and visited my parents this weekend and was able to find out some new information about my elusive grandparents, well actually my grandmother. According to my father she was from the area surrounding Prague, which is interesting because the information that I had before, placed her near the border of Austria in the same village as my grandfather.

Interviewing family members is a constant avenue to explore. You don't have to have a formal session about family, just general chit chat will reveal information you didn't expect. I now have a new avenue to explore for my grandmother. Hopefully I will get farther this time than I did last time.

You never know when you will receive new information or from whom. It is up to you what you do with it. I could have discounted the information I had received, because I had records stating where she was from. But remember not all records are 100% accurate, it all depended on who was writing down the information when your ancestor came into the country.

So remember to always keep all possibilities open in your mind, because you never know when one of them will pan out for you.

Good luck and happy hunting.

Patti

The Web and Genealogy

Hi, I have been researching my family history for 20 years. I have hit roadblocks and I have make great breakthroughs. One of my favorite accomplishments was when I was able to locate a family history back to the 1500's and it wasn't even a line I was actively researching. I was working on the ladies husband and trying to find some information on his and decided to try and find her information and see if it gave anything new for him, instead I was able to take her family back to Germany and our family didn't even know we were German. I think my most difficult one to research is my father's, the last name is Mynarcik and it is very difficult to find information on them. My grandparents came to the US in the early 1900's and because of the World Wars and communism I haven't been able to find much information. I will keep trying through because that is what makes a person a genealogist. The wanting to persevere even in the light that you might never succeed.
I remember talking to my Uncle about doing research on the Internet. He had started the family history and I am continuing it. He thought that I wouldn't find anything of value by using the Internet, that you needed to go to the courthouses and cemeteries and interview family members. All of this is true, you need to do that, but the resources the Internet offers you now are tremendous. When I started the only thing available to use was RootsWeb and newsgroups, (mind you this was before there was a World Wide Web). But I stuck with it and found some great leads and have been able to link with some fantastic information. Now remember you won't always succeed, you will always have that one line that will drive you crazy. But with perseverance you should be able to find some information and will help pad your history if nothing else.
I plan on using this blog to create a how to on how to use the different websites, which ones work and which ones just want you to spend money. I plan on keeping you up to date on my family information as I hopefully find out more. Until my next post, enjoy hunting!
Patti