I have been fascinated by genealogy since I was a child. I attended the 300th family reunion for my maternal Quaker ancestors. On my father's side, I am descended from six Mayflower passengers, over twenty Revolutionary War patriots, and the first European child born in New York. I have helped many friends trace their trees, and I have researched the memorial pages under my care in an effort to "pay it forward" in thanks to all who have helped me.

Many hours were spent addIng genealogy data to help people find their family members. Although I'm not a good photographer, I also spent countless hours taking and uploading tombstone photos. Therefore, I appreciate it when you document your sources by giving me credit . I try very hard to do this, too. However, I won't complain if you forget. The photos were taken for you.

Many thanks to all the FAG contributors who have accepted my edits and updated links. I work on updating the memorials I manage and on updating the far branches of my family tree. I am always willing to send confirmation when asked, but please know that I don't send an edit until I have read a document such as a birth, baptismal, marriage, or death certificate, etc. I try to send these with requests. I am only trying to help people who are working on their trees, I am always happy to get those emails saying that you accepted my edits. Together, I believe we are helping others. It can be discouraging to spend hours researching and requesting links, only to have these links ignored.

I have had the pleasure of working with many wonderful FAG contributors, who outnumber the grouches. A note to the grouches: Why wouldn't you add a nickname if a space is provided for it? Why wouldn't you add a documented biography in the space provided? Why would you publish personal family photos on the internet and not expect others to share them (giving you credit)? I'm always amazed by those who add their own personal rules and regulations over and above those set by FAG.

Most of all, I thank those of you have walked the cemeteries and taken tombstone photos. These are invaluable to those who are unable to travel.

I've started adding sources to my memorials because I can't believe how many people attach undocumented family members and data. This only makes it more difficult for those who are researching their trees.

Find a Grave has removed the ability to request gender edits.
1. Memorial managers agree to update memorials. It's your responsibility as the manager. Why is hitting the 'accept' tab difficult for you? In fact, had you done your job correctly, the gender would already be designated. If it is that annoying, just don't respond, and edits will eventually be accepted.
2. The website not only enables people to leave a beautiful tribute to your loved ones, it does exactly as the site's name implies—it helps genealogists find the graves of their ancestors, especially when they are linked to other family members.
3. The subscription ancestry websites saw the value of this tool, and teamed up with Find a Grave in order to allow its subscribers to add all family member information directly to their trees.
4. Having the gender already marked saves genealogists time. Otherwise, they must go back and edit each person's gender in their tree. Some families are large, so it becomes a chore.
5. When adding new people to family trees, it's difficult to know the gender of children named Taylor, Jordan, Courtney, Morgan, and Casey. When these are already known and designated by someone, it sure helps. The same is true for foreign names.
6. For the very small minority of people who think they are gender neutral, the 'gender unknown' tab can be used with an additional note explaining the situation.

Memorial Day Poem

Two short months have gone, dear Dad, since you have passed away
Yet, most of what you gave to me is still alive today.
Your faith, your love, your strength abide just like a strong oak tree
Because I know, forevermore, you live inside of me.

Dear Mother, ten short years ago, you left this earthly home
Yet, all you said and taught to me still shields me like a dome.
Your care, your smiles, your lessons reign just like a master key
Because I know, forevermore, you live inside of me.

Twenty years have flown, dear Gramps, since I have seen your face.
Yet, all the love you gave to me surrounds me like a brace.
Your caring, thoughtful tenderness dwells like the deep, blue sea
Because I know, forevermore, you live inside of me.

Dear Ancestors, the centuries passed since you walked on this earth
Yet, all your values and your love have found a new rebirth.
Your culture will sustain through time with each new family,
Because I know, forevermore, you live inside of me.
I wrote this on 29 May 2011

I have been fascinated by genealogy since I was a child. I attended the 300th family reunion for my maternal Quaker ancestors. On my father's side, I am descended from six Mayflower passengers, over twenty Revolutionary War patriots, and the first European child born in New York. I have helped many friends trace their trees, and I have researched the memorial pages under my care in an effort to "pay it forward" in thanks to all who have helped me.

Many hours were spent addIng genealogy data to help people find their family members. Although I'm not a good photographer, I also spent countless hours taking and uploading tombstone photos. Therefore, I appreciate it when you document your sources by giving me credit . I try very hard to do this, too. However, I won't complain if you forget. The photos were taken for you.

Many thanks to all the FAG contributors who have accepted my edits and updated links. I work on updating the memorials I manage and on updating the far branches of my family tree. I am always willing to send confirmation when asked, but please know that I don't send an edit until I have read a document such as a birth, baptismal, marriage, or death certificate, etc. I try to send these with requests. I am only trying to help people who are working on their trees, I am always happy to get those emails saying that you accepted my edits. Together, I believe we are helping others. It can be discouraging to spend hours researching and requesting links, only to have these links ignored.

I have had the pleasure of working with many wonderful FAG contributors, who outnumber the grouches. A note to the grouches: Why wouldn't you add a nickname if a space is provided for it? Why wouldn't you add a documented biography in the space provided? Why would you publish personal family photos on the internet and not expect others to share them (giving you credit)? I'm always amazed by those who add their own personal rules and regulations over and above those set by FAG.

Most of all, I thank those of you have walked the cemeteries and taken tombstone photos. These are invaluable to those who are unable to travel.

I've started adding sources to my memorials because I can't believe how many people attach undocumented family members and data. This only makes it more difficult for those who are researching their trees.

Find a Grave has removed the ability to request gender edits.
1. Memorial managers agree to update memorials. It's your responsibility as the manager. Why is hitting the 'accept' tab difficult for you? In fact, had you done your job correctly, the gender would already be designated. If it is that annoying, just don't respond, and edits will eventually be accepted.
2. The website not only enables people to leave a beautiful tribute to your loved ones, it does exactly as the site's name implies—it helps genealogists find the graves of their ancestors, especially when they are linked to other family members.
3. The subscription ancestry websites saw the value of this tool, and teamed up with Find a Grave in order to allow its subscribers to add all family member information directly to their trees.
4. Having the gender already marked saves genealogists time. Otherwise, they must go back and edit each person's gender in their tree. Some families are large, so it becomes a chore.
5. When adding new people to family trees, it's difficult to know the gender of children named Taylor, Jordan, Courtney, Morgan, and Casey. When these are already known and designated by someone, it sure helps. The same is true for foreign names.
6. For the very small minority of people who think they are gender neutral, the 'gender unknown' tab can be used with an additional note explaining the situation.

Memorial Day Poem

Two short months have gone, dear Dad, since you have passed away
Yet, most of what you gave to me is still alive today.
Your faith, your love, your strength abide just like a strong oak tree
Because I know, forevermore, you live inside of me.

Dear Mother, ten short years ago, you left this earthly home
Yet, all you said and taught to me still shields me like a dome.
Your care, your smiles, your lessons reign just like a master key
Because I know, forevermore, you live inside of me.

Twenty years have flown, dear Gramps, since I have seen your face.
Yet, all the love you gave to me surrounds me like a brace.
Your caring, thoughtful tenderness dwells like the deep, blue sea
Because I know, forevermore, you live inside of me.

Dear Ancestors, the centuries passed since you walked on this earth
Yet, all your values and your love have found a new rebirth.
Your culture will sustain through time with each new family,
Because I know, forevermore, you live inside of me.
I wrote this on 29 May 2011