A word from Arlene–As you know, this blog and my other blogs–Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, New York, Scots-Irish, and The Kingdom (Britain before 1750 and 1650) are not written regularly. When I have something to say, or someone requests information which all of my readers need in order to improve their success rate in tracing their genealogy, I do a post.
A lot of newsletters are filled with ephemera whose interest is fleeting and often insignificant. News is only news until it becomes history; and, not all news is history worthy. What I try to share is information that I have found helpful in the genealogy research I do every day of the week.
When I first began to write for sharing with any interested genealogist, I decided that when I learned something really helpful, I would share it. Most of my paid clients, and all of my “charity” research clients have agreed that I can share research paid for by them with others who might be more successful because they were willing to share. Indeed, the majority of what I do, I do because I am paid to do it. This includes background study and map work so I can search with intelligence as well as with skill.
If all I did was tell you about my own family, you may or may not benefit. My ancestors came to America between 1846 and 1880. They came from the British Isles–Wales and Northern England. I suspect that some originated in Scotland; I hope some originated in Ireland because I love the Irish. And I relate to their struggle for life. I just don’t know if I have Irish blood in me, yet.
My husband’s ancestry is more varied–German from Central Germany and German from Schleswig-Holstein, Scots-Irish first from Ireland and then from Scotland, Danish from Denmark. He had Mayflower ancestry who came to New England and crossed America in stages. He had English and Huguenot ancestors who came early on to Virginia, then went West and North from there. Migration with a purpose and focus makes ancestors who provide fewer learning experiences.
My professional research focus is still somewhat limited–by choice to areas where it is harder to prove and follow a lineage : Kentucky, Tennessee, early New York, and Virginia. Feeding into these areas and time periods are Pennsylvania, Maryland, Vermont, New Jersey, and Ohio. There you have it!
Your loyal genealogist, Arlene Eakle http://arleneeakle.com
PS You will find answers and recommendations in my blogs of the things that have helped me most to trace difficult-to-find ancestors. Read on, gentle reader. And ask if you have questions or I can help you with your research challenges.