Although my ‘snooping' days began in the 1970s, I am not an expert and am not always successful. Mostly I listen to a gnawing inside and then follow my nose. The most challenging mystery is my Great-Grandpa John. His life before his marriage to Elizabeth Boyer is unknown.

In past years, many afternoons were spent in the library writing down all the Barnharts in 1870, 1880, 1900 and 1910 Darke County, Ohio Census records — in the hopes that someday, I may be able to say, "Hey, that's part of my family." Cool spring days found me roaming around cemeteries writing down names.

Small older cemeteries are indeed quiet and peaceful places. I am always reminded of Thomas Gray's Elegy Written in a Country Church Yard. Those who have come and gone before us are more than names and dates on a stone.

Even though FindaGrave is not a genealogical site, it has helped me in that way. Especially with the ‘Herdman' branch. My thanks for that.

Besides Barnhart, some of my paternal surnames include: Boyer, Martin, Pence, Bartholomew and Herdman. Maternal names include: Schulz, Hoblit, Conning, Miller, Buckle and Zimmerlin.

Although my ‘snooping' days began in the 1970s, I am not an expert and am not always successful. Mostly I listen to a gnawing inside and then follow my nose. The most challenging mystery is my Great-Grandpa John. His life before his marriage to Elizabeth Boyer is unknown.

In past years, many afternoons were spent in the library writing down all the Barnharts in 1870, 1880, 1900 and 1910 Darke County, Ohio Census records — in the hopes that someday, I may be able to say, "Hey, that's part of my family." Cool spring days found me roaming around cemeteries writing down names.

Small older cemeteries are indeed quiet and peaceful places. I am always reminded of Thomas Gray's Elegy Written in a Country Church Yard. Those who have come and gone before us are more than names and dates on a stone.

Even though FindaGrave is not a genealogical site, it has helped me in that way. Especially with the ‘Herdman' branch. My thanks for that.

Besides Barnhart, some of my paternal surnames include: Boyer, Martin, Pence, Bartholomew and Herdman. Maternal names include: Schulz, Hoblit, Conning, Miller, Buckle and Zimmerlin.