I started my family history when I was about 8-10 years old when I asked my parents and grandparents (and about their parents, which was my great grandparents) their full names and dates of birth and wrote them on a small shopping list. (How I wish I had asked for places also!) No matter what I discarded throughout my life; I never could throw away that list.
When I was about 26 years old, when I became interested in family history once again, my dad gave me a black tin box with my great grandmother's name engraved with gold ink on the end of it, Nancy E. Long. I knew she was an Eisenhower and because of that I somehow developed a great desire to learn more about her and see if I was related to President Dwight D. Eisenhower. Not that it mattered that he was famous, I just wanted to know. After 12 years and much research this is what I learned: Edna Jane Long Ellis and Dwight David (Ike) Eisenhower U.S. President are 3rd cousins 2 times removed. Their common ancestors are Hans (John) Peter Eisenhauer and Ann or Anna Margaret Dissinger.
And that led me to more ancestors and who were they and where did they come from? I have spent many nights, many times till wee hours of the morning, searching diligently for my family roots. Sometimes it is as if they are right here by my side, guiding me and directing me to their records, their stories; wanting and waiting to be found and recorded. Sometimes I wonder why I do this, but then their voices seem to speak to me from the past and they want to be found and recorded. But more than that I want their records to be accurate. I have always tried to do my very best to read and proofread all I do. Please, if you find any mistakes, please let me know so I can get them corrected. God bless each of you with the spirit of Elijah in your search for your ancestors and may YOU strive to record them with accuracy.

I started my family history when I was about 8-10 years old when I asked my parents and grandparents (and about their parents, which was my great grandparents) their full names and dates of birth and wrote them on a small shopping list. (How I wish I had asked for places also!) No matter what I discarded throughout my life; I never could throw away that list.
When I was about 26 years old, when I became interested in family history once again, my dad gave me a black tin box with my great grandmother's name engraved with gold ink on the end of it, Nancy E. Long. I knew she was an Eisenhower and because of that I somehow developed a great desire to learn more about her and see if I was related to President Dwight D. Eisenhower. Not that it mattered that he was famous, I just wanted to know. After 12 years and much research this is what I learned: Edna Jane Long Ellis and Dwight David (Ike) Eisenhower U.S. President are 3rd cousins 2 times removed. Their common ancestors are Hans (John) Peter Eisenhauer and Ann or Anna Margaret Dissinger.
And that led me to more ancestors and who were they and where did they come from? I have spent many nights, many times till wee hours of the morning, searching diligently for my family roots. Sometimes it is as if they are right here by my side, guiding me and directing me to their records, their stories; wanting and waiting to be found and recorded. Sometimes I wonder why I do this, but then their voices seem to speak to me from the past and they want to be found and recorded. But more than that I want their records to be accurate. I have always tried to do my very best to read and proofread all I do. Please, if you find any mistakes, please let me know so I can get them corrected. God bless each of you with the spirit of Elijah in your search for your ancestors and may YOU strive to record them with accuracy.