I have researched my family (Murphy, Rush, Kaczmarek, Meyer, Rackl, Schrott) and my wife's family (Lunney, Haskell, Halpine, Looney, Tessmer), for my children, family and future generations, since 1977.

I became interested in genealogy because of the story "Roots" by Alex Haley. He inspired me to learn and pass along historical information of where our direct and extended family came from and our ancestral line which, can help us understand who we are, and where we came from.

In 1980, on a site visit, I reported to my father Thomas, the stone conditions. Thomas J. & Donna Murphy paid to replace two "sandstone" family markers. That of Thomas' Great-Great grandfather Isaac and his Great grandfather William Murphy (Isaac's son), because the markers were crumbling and would have been lost forever due to the weather and materiel used. Returning to the sites in 2005 the "new markers" are all that remain. The exact spot may have been lost forever if we did not act.

My family never talked much about previous generations. Unfortunately I didn't ask enough questions when I had the chance. Over the years I did find information and shared it with family members.

I want to make sure others behind me, including children and grandchildren also understand and appreciate who they are. I also understand not everyone is excited to learn, but we must give them this opportunity to know.

Since technology is always improving I am adding one constant, that is GPS, Latitude & Longitude, to pinpoint exactly where the markers are located.These coordinates will assist in finding the spot.

If you are interested in keeping the family memorials intact, in descent viewing shape for future generations, bring an edger, brush, stone cleaner, water and a towel with you. Be careful some stones may be fragile.

If their is an office / caretaker ask them to raise the stone if it sinks, we found some with no cement footers, just an inscribed stone in the dirt. My great grandfathers marker in Buffalo, NY, (pictured in my profile), was completely below the grass and dirt, only 5" of the stone was visible, from just 90 years ago. Now his marker is raised to equal that of my great grandmother.

I also thank Mr. Mike Ring the catalyst behind Murphy Nation, which celebrates the Murphy family beginning in Morgan Co., OH. His efforts are keeping History of the family for present and future generations alive.

I have researched my family (Murphy, Rush, Kaczmarek, Meyer, Rackl, Schrott) and my wife's family (Lunney, Haskell, Halpine, Looney, Tessmer), for my children, family and future generations, since 1977.

I became interested in genealogy because of the story "Roots" by Alex Haley. He inspired me to learn and pass along historical information of where our direct and extended family came from and our ancestral line which, can help us understand who we are, and where we came from.

In 1980, on a site visit, I reported to my father Thomas, the stone conditions. Thomas J. & Donna Murphy paid to replace two "sandstone" family markers. That of Thomas' Great-Great grandfather Isaac and his Great grandfather William Murphy (Isaac's son), because the markers were crumbling and would have been lost forever due to the weather and materiel used. Returning to the sites in 2005 the "new markers" are all that remain. The exact spot may have been lost forever if we did not act.

My family never talked much about previous generations. Unfortunately I didn't ask enough questions when I had the chance. Over the years I did find information and shared it with family members.

I want to make sure others behind me, including children and grandchildren also understand and appreciate who they are. I also understand not everyone is excited to learn, but we must give them this opportunity to know.

Since technology is always improving I am adding one constant, that is GPS, Latitude & Longitude, to pinpoint exactly where the markers are located.These coordinates will assist in finding the spot.

If you are interested in keeping the family memorials intact, in descent viewing shape for future generations, bring an edger, brush, stone cleaner, water and a towel with you. Be careful some stones may be fragile.

If their is an office / caretaker ask them to raise the stone if it sinks, we found some with no cement footers, just an inscribed stone in the dirt. My great grandfathers marker in Buffalo, NY, (pictured in my profile), was completely below the grass and dirt, only 5" of the stone was visible, from just 90 years ago. Now his marker is raised to equal that of my great grandmother.

I also thank Mr. Mike Ring the catalyst behind Murphy Nation, which celebrates the Murphy family beginning in Morgan Co., OH. His efforts are keeping History of the family for present and future generations alive.