WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?

Well, I have certainly enjoyed watching that TV show "Who Do You Think You Are?" but after all these years I still haven't quite figured out who I really am. Perhaps I am destined to saddle up & ride the the "Owlhoot Trail" in search of the "Over the Hill Gang" so I can join up.

However, after over 30 years of genealogical searching & research, I have a pretty good idea who my paternal & maternal ancestors were.

Occasionally, I felt compelled to write and/or publish articles concerning my ancestral kinfolk who endured the hardships and turmoil of many years ago. I don't pretend to be a creative writer who garnishes his material with flowery fiction. I am not a poet, philosopher or an intellectual who creates inspirational material promoting spiritual growth to help find one's "Inner Self". I will leave that to the many talented individuals who are so gifted. I am also not a spinner of mythical "Tall Tales" or mystical fantasy land "Fairy Tales"--I merely chronicle the lives of my ancestors based on legitimate facts & traditions relating to them. I also enjoy locating & visiting ancestral home sites & cemeteries throughout various areas of our country.

I think everyone should try to "get to know" their ancestors. Even though they may have long since passed away, they can still be very inspirational. Most of of them were good, decent people but perhaps far from perfect. Hopefully we can learn from them & try to appreciate their sacrifices & struggles which can help us all gain a better understanding of our own virtues & shortcomings as we do our part to help improve society for the future. Not caring about our heritage is like not caring about ourselves.