My interest in family history began in my grandmother's kitchen in Iowa. Sitting with my grandparents around their kitchen table, sipping coffee and nibbling cookies, I heard the stories of the people who came before me. My first efforts were in restoration of old photos to preserve them for generations to come. When my Uncle Dan died, I took up the mantle of family historian, and began to collect information. I interviewed elderly family members for their memories, and wrote down the stories. My paper collection is large, and once the internet and laptop computers became available, I started an online tree, several actually. I appreciate so much the efforts of past family members who worked for many hours collecting information; unfortuanately, I feel our work is underappreciated by many in my generation. Now my grandparents are gone, and my beloved husband as well, and I honor them with my work on Ancestry and Find a grave.com. -Kathryn

My interest in family history began in my grandmother's kitchen in Iowa. Sitting with my grandparents around their kitchen table, sipping coffee and nibbling cookies, I heard the stories of the people who came before me. My first efforts were in restoration of old photos to preserve them for generations to come. When my Uncle Dan died, I took up the mantle of family historian, and began to collect information. I interviewed elderly family members for their memories, and wrote down the stories. My paper collection is large, and once the internet and laptop computers became available, I started an online tree, several actually. I appreciate so much the efforts of past family members who worked for many hours collecting information; unfortuanately, I feel our work is underappreciated by many in my generation. Now my grandparents are gone, and my beloved husband as well, and I honor them with my work on Ancestry and Find a grave.com. -Kathryn