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Welcome to the Family

Read to the bottom for How to Use this Blog . I have been exploring genealogy since I was little, listening to all the stories told by Aunts Connie and Helena, Cousins Ann and Howie and Maurietta, Uncles Leonard and Arthur. There were m ore dead people in the stories than live ones, and they were lots more fun. This was way before it was anyone's hobby, when I was the only one who was interested. Sneaking into the Archives underage and running around graveyards. I was lost to the present, either reading books about Pilgrims or building stories in my head. Always asking, asking, asking. "How is he related to us? Who is their mother? What was her name, and her name, and her name? " While Aunt Anna said, "I don't want to find out anyone was arrested for stealing sheep."
Recent posts

I Still Want to be a Mayflower Descendant - Chopping Branches off the Tree - Part 13

 Last year's episode of Anne Searching for Ancestors in Nova Scotia ended with our missing links in the Mayflower Descent still missing.  As you will remember, the descent of Passenger Richard Warren on down to Planter Samuel West is proven.  My documents of my 2xgreat-grandmother Susan West Rushton down to me are solid.  It's how we get from Samuel to Susan that's the problem. 1782 1804 1810 & 11 1853 1854-1875 1861 & 71 1881 1891 1901 1911 19 18 Saml born Samuel marries Samuel has kids                           Levi lives in Roslin w wife and kids Levi lives in Kings Co   w son               Susan marries Susan has ki

How the Spences and Robertsons Weathered the Great Depression

 Do you have a radio?  What is your house built of?  Did you work yesterday?  The 1931 Canadian census just came out, and I was struck by the meager salaries and months of unemployment our family endured.  I thought I would write about how we made it through.   I included a family chart at the bottom to help you keep track of everyone mentioned (go to bottom for family charts; see posts Robertson Family, Spence Family, Rushton Family Pedigree Charts, Descendant Charts) My grandmother Bessie Spence Robertson often spoke about how she managed a household during the Depression.  Every penny was put to use.  She planned with such precision that "at the end of the week, I didn't even have a nickel left over to buy a Coke."  There was swimming at Valley Stream Lake State Park not far away, but it cost 10 cents after 9 in the morning.  The Robertson kids went swimming, but only before 9 when it was free.  Of course it wasn't hot out that early. July 5, 1936 at Bessie &