Return of "Who Do You Think You Are?"

If you have followed this blog for awhile you know that I am a huge fan of the NBC show Who Do You Think You Are?. That means that I have been sitting on pins and needles waiting for the new season to premiere and now it is finally here.

First up is Vanessa Williams most famous for being the first African-American Miss America as well as being on Ugly Betty. As an African-American myself I think that this will be an

interesting history to look into to. I know that they have had other African-Americans on season one but this is the first person of a bi-racial heritage. That isn't to say that I don't think that each and everyone of us has a mixed heritage but not everyone's is so close to their present family. The point is that I am extremely curious about if she will run into as many complications that I have or others that are investigating primarily an African-American lineage.

As far as the season goes I do think that they have a good line up of stars and there sounds as if there will be some interesting stories to be found. I also can't wait to see what I have affectionately termed "The Dream Team of WDYTYA" or just "Dream Team" for short will come up with. They might be my favorite part and the most annoying part of the show. I love them because the stars show up and these people just seem to have their whole family history laid out for them to review which ironically is also what bugs me about them and the show in general. I simply wish that they showed more of the research without the specialist. However, those specialist did inspire me to look into becoming a certified genealogist so like I said, I love them too.

I also love the fact that even if they don't show all the research, ups and downs, and brick walls that we mere mortals run into everyday they do open the conversation for genealogy. They spark interest and with all the commercials for Ancestry.com then there has to be a few additional people that decide to look and that is a great thing. More people looking means more interest, more funding and more information shared. All of these things sound amazing to me.

So if you don't have plans and watch tonight. Also if you would like to chat I will be Tweeting during the show. You can follow me @AlwaysMe74. Hope to talk to soon.

Genealogy Open House

The Saint Louis Genealogy Society had a great open house yesterday for all those interested in genealogy in the local area. I was surprised at all the different specific groups that they had available. Every group from Irish to Jewish to Italian (who I personally had a blast talking too). It really opened my eyes to the fact that genealogy people are so much fun to hang out with.

For example, I was talking with one gentleman and I was telling him about my find that my great, great, great, maybe another great grandfather owned land in the south in 1870. You would have thought that it was his family that I was talking about because he was just as excited as I was. The same was true when I told him of my problems with finding Henry, the constant thorn in my side. He understood my frustration and tried his best to help.

There is just a connection that exist between those of us that are dedicated to finding out our past and tracing our family roots. We understand because we have all had our triumphs and our disappointments (did I mention Henry) and we are interested in the history of all of it. Not just the dates or places but the lives that were lived. We hold the past in reverence for the lessons we can learn and we cherish each and every bit of information that we can find. That is part of what makes genealogy research and those involved fun.

I realized yesterday what a community we are. Almost a family in our own rights because we share in not just each others lives but each others heritage. We want everyone to find as much as they can and to be able to understand where we came from. That is a beautiful thing and it makes me proud to be a member.

Finding A Grove

Alright so I wanted to get back to my research and yet I am finding that it his hard to get back in the grove. It's like I have stopped for so long that I don't know where to start again. I have some leads but all of them seem really far away.

I have a few phone numbers to call but again it seems like so long since I got them that it would be weird calling now. I also know that I need to find the death certificates for my great, great grandparents but I'm not sure of a date to go looking and I can't for the life of me figure out how to narrow it down.

My father is planning a trip to Utah next month probably to learn more about genealogy since Salt Lake City is kinda the hub of genealogy so maybe I can get him to hit up some research for me or at least ask a few of the questions that have been on my mind.

There is also a genealogy group that is having an open house this Sunday and although at first I wasn't interested in going I am now having second thoughts. I think I might go and see if they could answer some of my questions also or at least get me back on track.

Looking Forward in 2011

Boy did I let the ball slide in 2010. I was so sure that I would have done so much more with my family tree last year than I did.

In truth after my visit to Mississippi I barely touched the thing but that is going to change in 2011. I am looking forward to a great year. A year where genealogy doors will be opened and I will have a change to really get into the Driver side of my family as well as put to rest who was Sol Sproles father. Those would be my two biggest goals for the year.

Having said that I would also like to find Henry Ellis. That man has been a challenge to say the least but I have faith that I will be able to find his parents and continue through that line as well.

That is really all I wanted to add here for today but look for lots more updates as the year progresses.