I am the daughter of Leo and Winifred (Heinsius) Ham and the granddaughter of Jim and Maggie (Zenisek) Ham and Ernest and Annice (Shaffer) Heinsius, all well known families around northern Johnson County, IA. I was born and raised around northern Johnson County, IA; a member of the first freshman class of Prairie High School, Cedar Rapids and graduated in 1960. I am a 1964 graduate of Marycrest College, Davenport, IA and in 1965 from the School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI

I am married to Kenneth West, son of Calvin and Opal (Moore) West, natives of North Carolina. We both were employed at the University of Iowa for 30 years, retiring in 1999. Upon retirement we relocated to Gainesville, FL. We will remain residents of sunny Florida for the rest of our lives.

I believe that in every family there is at least one person who seems to be called to find the ancestors and place them as leaves on the tree. I seem to be that person. It is up to us to put the flesh back on their bones and make them live again. To me genealogy is not just gathering facts, which can get boring, but instead, through stories we are breathing life into all who have gone before us.

My family tree has its roots buried deep in Johnson County, IA and many of the distinguished pioneers of Johnson County show up as leaves on its branches.

The names I am researching are:

Paternal side - Ham, Arthur Zenisek, Smutny

Maternal side - Heinsius, Umbdenstock, Kessler, Shaffer

I came across "Find A Grave" quite by accident about a year ago while doing family research and very quickly realized what a valuable tool it is. I am also an avid fan of IaGenWeb.org and have gained invaluable information from both sites. It is now time for me to contribute back to these sites so that others can gain the help they need to complete a full family tree. Those who have gone before us cry out for us to tell their story. In doing so and finding them, we somehow find ourselves. It is my aim to bring to life as many leaves on my tree as I can and leave a heritage for my grandchildren and all future generations to come.

I am willing to share any info that I have with anyone who cares to contact me.

I am the daughter of Leo and Winifred (Heinsius) Ham and the granddaughter of Jim and Maggie (Zenisek) Ham and Ernest and Annice (Shaffer) Heinsius, all well known families around northern Johnson County, IA. I was born and raised around northern Johnson County, IA; a member of the first freshman class of Prairie High School, Cedar Rapids and graduated in 1960. I am a 1964 graduate of Marycrest College, Davenport, IA and in 1965 from the School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI

I am married to Kenneth West, son of Calvin and Opal (Moore) West, natives of North Carolina. We both were employed at the University of Iowa for 30 years, retiring in 1999. Upon retirement we relocated to Gainesville, FL. We will remain residents of sunny Florida for the rest of our lives.

I believe that in every family there is at least one person who seems to be called to find the ancestors and place them as leaves on the tree. I seem to be that person. It is up to us to put the flesh back on their bones and make them live again. To me genealogy is not just gathering facts, which can get boring, but instead, through stories we are breathing life into all who have gone before us.

My family tree has its roots buried deep in Johnson County, IA and many of the distinguished pioneers of Johnson County show up as leaves on its branches.

The names I am researching are:

Paternal side - Ham, Arthur Zenisek, Smutny

Maternal side - Heinsius, Umbdenstock, Kessler, Shaffer

I came across "Find A Grave" quite by accident about a year ago while doing family research and very quickly realized what a valuable tool it is. I am also an avid fan of IaGenWeb.org and have gained invaluable information from both sites. It is now time for me to contribute back to these sites so that others can gain the help they need to complete a full family tree. Those who have gone before us cry out for us to tell their story. In doing so and finding them, we somehow find ourselves. It is my aim to bring to life as many leaves on my tree as I can and leave a heritage for my grandchildren and all future generations to come.

I am willing to share any info that I have with anyone who cares to contact me.