I live in Illinois. I have always been interested in our family history and I began my family research in 1999 on a request from my Grandpa (maternal), he wanted me to find his cousins that he had not seen or heard from for over 50 years. It was a fun quest & I loved sharing with him what I had found. My grandma(paternal) had always been a family researcher & I was able to gather information & share with her things she did not have. The more I looked, the more I found & the more addicted I got. I had to do both sides maternal & paternal, I found all kinds of "new cousins". Then I started on my husband's side of the family. I think it is important to remember those who came before us.
I am adding memorials of my family both sides if I can, people I love & who were a great part of my life. Family who came before my lifetime are an important part of our lives too, we would not be here without them. I would like to personalize these memorials if at all possible. Loss of a loved one is so personal and above all else that should be respected. In most cases there are still loved ones left behind who are still grieving that should be respected.
Sometimes that final resting place is the only record that they were here & walked this earth as we do now.
This site can be a great for genealogists which may be why Find A Grave joined with Ancestry. It can be a way to connect with "new cousins". I know I have.... family is grand & you can never have to many friends.

Thank you to the many contributors for being kind enough to contribute memorials.

Matthew 5:4
Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.

My family lines are: WELLS, Martin, Gilbert, Zittle/Zittel,Elder/ELDERT,PAYNE,Orr,Strode,Paul,Reid & Spradlin.

I live in Illinois. I have always been interested in our family history and I began my family research in 1999 on a request from my Grandpa (maternal), he wanted me to find his cousins that he had not seen or heard from for over 50 years. It was a fun quest & I loved sharing with him what I had found. My grandma(paternal) had always been a family researcher & I was able to gather information & share with her things she did not have. The more I looked, the more I found & the more addicted I got. I had to do both sides maternal & paternal, I found all kinds of "new cousins". Then I started on my husband's side of the family. I think it is important to remember those who came before us.
I am adding memorials of my family both sides if I can, people I love & who were a great part of my life. Family who came before my lifetime are an important part of our lives too, we would not be here without them. I would like to personalize these memorials if at all possible. Loss of a loved one is so personal and above all else that should be respected. In most cases there are still loved ones left behind who are still grieving that should be respected.
Sometimes that final resting place is the only record that they were here & walked this earth as we do now.
This site can be a great for genealogists which may be why Find A Grave joined with Ancestry. It can be a way to connect with "new cousins". I know I have.... family is grand & you can never have to many friends.

Thank you to the many contributors for being kind enough to contribute memorials.

Matthew 5:4
Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.

My family lines are: WELLS, Martin, Gilbert, Zittle/Zittel,Elder/ELDERT,PAYNE,Orr,Strode,Paul,Reid & Spradlin.