Giving Thanks
Connie Sychowski
Editor Genealogy Corner
Isn’t that what this season is all about? Yes, some would say, its all about the FOOD. I am truly sorry for anyone who feels this way as they are really missing out on the many blessings of life.
What can you recall from this past year that you can be thankful for? Maybe someone went out of their way to drop off a card because they heard you weren’t well. Something simple like a husband putting a load of wash in for his wife seeing she had a trying day with the children or just someone who took the time to listen to you when you needed to talk. These are the treasures, gifts from the heart that we receive everyday. Yet many times the good deeds go unnoticed and unappreciated. Take time during this holiday season to be thankful for those around you. Thankful we live in a country where we are protected more than most. What if, like others, we faced suicide bombers almost daily? Thankfully we have men and women who are willing to put their lives on the line everyday for our protection and to keep our country free. I personally am thankful for the wonderful family I was given, a loving husband and six incredible children, two beautiful grandchildren, my spunky 80 year old mother, great in-laws, and for each and every volunteer here at U S Legacies that helps to keep this magazine going each month! Thank you to the U S Legacies Founder; for without your vision we would not enjoy the blessing we receive each month in the mail. A huge Thank You to all of our subscribers for your continued support and participation, you help to make us a success!
Why not take this time to consider giving a gift to a family member or friend as a way of thanking them for the little things they do. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving Day, may each of you enjoy and cherish this time with family and friends, make memories that will last a life time and don’t forget the turkey and pumpkin pie!
Connie Sychowski
Genealogy How To Set Goals
I bet that many of you are surprised with this suggestion. Just hang with me and see where I am going with this. Your research strategies will differ greatly depending on what you are looking to accomplish:
To identify and trace all of your genealogy back as early as possible.
To trace back to the original immigrant and identify their country of origin.
To identify all of the descendants of a particular ancestor.
Use this list as a starting point to jump-start your mind into gear, plan an outline of how you would go about accomplishing this mission. Generally in genealogy the assumed goal is to extend the pedigree back in time. Depending on your ultimate goal, you can now decide on an immediate goal.
Example: The goal to find the immigrants town of origin in the parent country.
1. Basic - Single strategy using most basic sources
2. Medium - Check every source available if necessary trying to prove or disprove various theories and to identify new clues: land records, tax lists, voter registration, county histories, state census, and court records, probate records, oaths of allegiance, land registration books, etc.
3. Expert - Reevaluate findings, study sources on different level, and expand research to include entire community. Check for compiled research on this line, it is possible you may come across data that has already been documented. Then look for the deeper patterns in sources already identified. Chaos theory seems to work well in genealogy (if you find the right level of analysis what looks like chaos will fall out into distinct patterns).
As you extend your pedigree back generation after generation, each time there is more of a chance others have previously worked on the same lines. With each generation, the number of descendants expands dramatically. At each new generation, it is good to again see if compiled research has already been done on these families.
Inscriptions from the Bryant Ridge Cemetery
Burlington, Maine Bowers, Turner, Wakefield
BOWERS, Benjamin F. Sept 16 1825 - Aug 16 1906.
Wife Marrion died March 28 1867 age 33 yrs.
Wife Arvilla died June 28 1888 age 47 yrs.
BOWERS, Harry G. 1868 – 1945
BOWERS, John died May 5 1867 age 67 yrs 4 mo.
Phebe died Mar 24 1890 age 81 yrs 11 mo.
Their children:
Rebecca died Sept 4 1855 age 19 yrs 5 mo.
John W. died Nov 12 1858 age 14 yrs 6 mo.
TURNER, Marcellus F. Co G, 9th Me. Vols. May 13 1841 - June 6 19??
Kate P. April 9 1847 - July 3 1924
TURNER, Ralph L. 1882 – 1959
Wife Georgia E. died April 12 1910 age 24 yrs
Wife Lulu M 1888 – 1971
WAKEFIELD, Ralph J. 1869 – 1959
Angie T. 1871 – 1964
Published in U S Legacies Magazine November 2004
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