I have been a family history hobbyist for nearly 50 years, since college days. Interest in, and respect for my ancestors and their accomplishments are what inspire my research. I believe those of us privileged to inherit a good name, and a family legacy of achievement in face of adversity, have an obligation to pass that legacy -- and its positive example -- on to our own descendants. And I believe we do our descendants a personal favor in preserving the names, information, and faces of those who have gone before, so they may have an appreciation of their sturdy roots and become inspired by it.Family names I research include: Downen, Valentin, Klope, Gilbert, Reeder, Moses White, Crocker, Keller (Southern IL);Branstetter, Gilbert, Crider (Southern MO); and Hargrove, Dilley, Gale.

I have been a family history hobbyist for nearly 50 years, since college days. Interest in, and respect for my ancestors and their accomplishments are what inspire my research. I believe those of us privileged to inherit a good name, and a family legacy of achievement in face of adversity, have an obligation to pass that legacy -- and its positive example -- on to our own descendants. And I believe we do our descendants a personal favor in preserving the names, information, and faces of those who have gone before, so they may have an appreciation of their sturdy roots and become inspired by it.Family names I research include: Downen, Valentin, Klope, Gilbert, Reeder, Moses White, Crocker, Keller (Southern IL);Branstetter, Gilbert, Crider (Southern MO); and Hargrove, Dilley, Gale.