Hey all! I know it's been a while since I've blogged. But to quote Shane from Stardew Valley (a game I've been obsessed with recently) Buh... life. After a rough few years, I've felt somewhat lost. Not sure how I want to continue my journey through genealogy. I've lost so many people (and not just from death) that it's been hard to focus and enjoy the things I once did. Especially genealogy. Don't get me wrong, I still love doing the research, discovering new ancestors, and learning their stories. I was hired at the end of last year to research a friend's family and I've enjoyed every minute of it. But my daily focus has been off.
So I've decided to take a step back to spend time with God and figure out how I want to continue this journey. It's definitely not been an easy journey, but it has been very fulfilling and healing. I've had to face some past experiences that left negative imprints on my life. I never expected genealogy research to make such a positive impact on my mental health and help with emotional healing, but it has. Sometimes we have to re-open a wound (or many) to allow antiseptic in for proper healing. And that's what family history research has done for me, and others in my family.
What I want to accomplish over the next year:
- Blog more about family, tips, research information, and more
- Take already filmed content and finish some of the video series that I started
- Research my Fuchs line a little more deeply to connect to the family church
- and, as the title hinted, I want to write a new story
Actually, the new story will be a collection of stories. I had the idea when I was talking to friend and fellow genealogist Jenne from Pioneer Flunkies. I toyed with a story idea that when later thought about it, decided yeah that's a great idea!
The Strong Women in My Family
I want to write short stories about my mom's family line from her mom going back to my 3rd great-grandma Maggie Helfrich. I know you recognize that name from the many blog posts I've written about her. Who knows, maybe Maggie Helfrich will one day have her own book. But for now, she will be included in this new book with the others in her line: Grandma Ruth Wheeler, great-grandma Margaret "Honey" Ilg, great-grandaunt Ruth Helen Kelley, and 2nd great-grandma Oma Mae Caldwell. I've written about all these women in some form over the past 12 years.
I was able to put Pauline Ilg's book together in a short time while I laid up in 2022. But I am going to take longer with this one. Cause I'm not just working on one life here. I'm working on five lives. There will be a lot of information to pour over and compile into short stories. But I'm excited to start this project. I'm shooting to be done next year around this time. And that's everything from writing, proofing, arranging, and publishing. I might do the same thing I use Shutterfly like I did for Pauline's book. The quality is just so amazing. I was so happy with the final outcome of Pauline's book. But that decision will be made later. Another reason I want to take my time working on this book is I want to be able to enjoy other things while working on this project. Other research, maybe some cemetery visits, other trips around the area, etc. No rush on anything.
So yeah, that's it! that's what's been going on and what is to (hopefully) come! I appreciate everyone who does take the time to read my blog and I do hope you all have been helped, encouraged, or even just entertained by my posts. Can't wait to see what this year brings and I can't wait to share it with you.
We'll see you soon!
