I have been working on my family's history for several years. Being retired does have it's benefits. I live in Southern California, but I am from Sigourney, Iowa, and most of my family comes from Keokuk, Van Buren, and Wapello counties. My interest is mostly in Elsensohn, Marshall, Pool, and Salter on my dad's side, and Ruby, Reinier, Brittain, and Larimore on my mom's. I would encourage anyone starting out to talk to those older generations as soon as you can. I am also working on my husband's side of the family, mostly Valgren, Kardash, and Burtness. The amazing thing was I discovered my son was a direct descendant of George Soule who came over on the Mayflower. After a year of work, he is now officially in the Mayflower Society.

I have been working on my family's history for several years. Being retired does have it's benefits. I live in Southern California, but I am from Sigourney, Iowa, and most of my family comes from Keokuk, Van Buren, and Wapello counties. My interest is mostly in Elsensohn, Marshall, Pool, and Salter on my dad's side, and Ruby, Reinier, Brittain, and Larimore on my mom's. I would encourage anyone starting out to talk to those older generations as soon as you can. I am also working on my husband's side of the family, mostly Valgren, Kardash, and Burtness. The amazing thing was I discovered my son was a direct descendant of George Soule who came over on the Mayflower. After a year of work, he is now officially in the Mayflower Society.