I first became interested in my family history in 7th grade but it wasn't until I became an adult that it truly became a passion. I work full-time at a local police department. I also work two part-time jobs as an EMT Instructor. I do what I can when I can. I used to help out on Random Acts of Genealogical Kindness, when the site went down I turned to this site as another means of helping people. Geographically, my family goes from NJ through NY, PA, MO, TN, MA & ME in the USA. Outside of the USA we have found my tree traces heavily in Ireland with some in Scotland, England, Wales, Canada, France & Germany. The last names my research focuses on (going back to my 2nd great grandparents) are:
Foster & Martin
Reiners & Poole
Schneider & Weeks
Jones & Jones
Kirk & Reegan/Reagan/Regan
Dodd & Coleman
Whynot (numerous spellings) & Kinnear
McGonigle & Kane/O'Kane

I have learned some interesting things about my family while doing this research. For example, one of my 8th great grandfathers on my paternal grandfather's side was accused of being a witch during the Salem Witch Trials (Roger Toothaker). The nephew of the husband of my 10th great grandmother on my paternal grandmother's side was Cotton Mather. My great-grandfather on my maternal grandmother's side (Christopher James Kirk, Sr) and his family were from Fall River, MA. My paternal grandfather's brother (my great Uncle Al) married a wonderful & sweet woman (Beverly Arlette Campbell Foster) who I recently discovered is the 7th cousin 3 times removed of Lizzie Borden. My Kirk family was living about a mile away from the Bordens at the time of the double murder and NO ONE ever talked about this. I happened to stumble across it accidentally. My 6th great grandfather was Chief Pathkiller of the Cherokee Nation. Name sounds big & tough! His father… Aganstata Oconostata Groundhog Sausage Stand. GROUNDHOG SAUSAGE!!! Not so big & tough. I have had many interesting discoveries about the military history/service in my family. I have long been fascinated by the Civil War, especially Gettysburg. A couple of years ago I found out my 2nd cousin 5 times removed was taken prisoner of war at Gettysburg.

I strongly encourage everyone to learn about their family history. It is through the love of thousands of people that you are who you are today. While doing this research, you may learn a little something about yourself. I have always loved the ocean. I love deep sea fishing and being out on the water. I don't care if I catch anything or not, just being out there is relaxing to me. Then I found out that a large number of my ancestors were either fishermen, captains, ship carpenters, etc. Maybe there is something genetic, maybe it is a coincidence. I don't know…

I first became interested in my family history in 7th grade but it wasn't until I became an adult that it truly became a passion. I work full-time at a local police department. I also work two part-time jobs as an EMT Instructor. I do what I can when I can. I used to help out on Random Acts of Genealogical Kindness, when the site went down I turned to this site as another means of helping people. Geographically, my family goes from NJ through NY, PA, MO, TN, MA & ME in the USA. Outside of the USA we have found my tree traces heavily in Ireland with some in Scotland, England, Wales, Canada, France & Germany. The last names my research focuses on (going back to my 2nd great grandparents) are:
Foster & Martin
Reiners & Poole
Schneider & Weeks
Jones & Jones
Kirk & Reegan/Reagan/Regan
Dodd & Coleman
Whynot (numerous spellings) & Kinnear
McGonigle & Kane/O'Kane

I have learned some interesting things about my family while doing this research. For example, one of my 8th great grandfathers on my paternal grandfather's side was accused of being a witch during the Salem Witch Trials (Roger Toothaker). The nephew of the husband of my 10th great grandmother on my paternal grandmother's side was Cotton Mather. My great-grandfather on my maternal grandmother's side (Christopher James Kirk, Sr) and his family were from Fall River, MA. My paternal grandfather's brother (my great Uncle Al) married a wonderful & sweet woman (Beverly Arlette Campbell Foster) who I recently discovered is the 7th cousin 3 times removed of Lizzie Borden. My Kirk family was living about a mile away from the Bordens at the time of the double murder and NO ONE ever talked about this. I happened to stumble across it accidentally. My 6th great grandfather was Chief Pathkiller of the Cherokee Nation. Name sounds big & tough! His father… Aganstata Oconostata Groundhog Sausage Stand. GROUNDHOG SAUSAGE!!! Not so big & tough. I have had many interesting discoveries about the military history/service in my family. I have long been fascinated by the Civil War, especially Gettysburg. A couple of years ago I found out my 2nd cousin 5 times removed was taken prisoner of war at Gettysburg.

I strongly encourage everyone to learn about their family history. It is through the love of thousands of people that you are who you are today. While doing this research, you may learn a little something about yourself. I have always loved the ocean. I love deep sea fishing and being out on the water. I don't care if I catch anything or not, just being out there is relaxing to me. Then I found out that a large number of my ancestors were either fishermen, captains, ship carpenters, etc. Maybe there is something genetic, maybe it is a coincidence. I don't know…