When I first got involved in my Family History, I loved any information I could find on my ancestors. Their lives were so interesting to me, and I found a new meaning and feeling to who I was and where I came from. Just beginning my research, I became inundated due to the fact that I was finding information on every branch of my (6 generation) family tree and that I had not really started organizing anything. After about a week, and with papers/documents stacking up overwhelmingly, I decided it was time to begin putting everything in binders to make my research easier to present. Also, I figured it would make it a whole lot easier to fill in any missing information if I could have lists or charts of the information I had found to that point. Previously I had found several Genealogy Charts on various websites that I thought I could eventually use. The next question I could not answer is, "Well, where do I start first?". I had filled out a five generation family tree chart, and had to print others for extended generations. I then had the epiphany. I realized that when I got to my Great Great Ancestors on the sheet, and found their parents I had to start writing back on another chart. You just put the numbers each name corresponds with, so that it easier to understand when looking at them all. I decided that I would keep all the information for my first five generations in one binder, and have separate binders for each set of five generations beyond that. I had my doubts on that idea, but really had no other clue of how I should approach this.
The week before I started the organizing process, I had been at my grandmothers looking through a box of pictures. I had learned about one of my great great grandmothers by the name of Lena Berdella Elkins. I had found her photograph, and after hearing stories from my grandmother of who she was; I became fascinated with her story. She seemed like such an interesting person, and had a very lovable personality. While going through the box, I came across the photo of her mother and father as well. They were Edward Selwyn Owens and Dora Maude Shamp (formally known as Maude). My grandmother Carolyn even told me stories about Maude (mainly), and completely altered my interest in Family History forever. Maude had such a fascinating story, and started to become completely interested in her. The tales of her life that my grandmother told me made me feel so nostalgic, so that I started to feel an emotional tie to this great ancestor of mine. I had never met the woman (considering she died decades ago), but felt connected to her. Seems like I was supposed to know her story, and that finding all the details about her life was part of my destiny.
As I sat at home trying to decide where I should start my documentation, I remembered everything I said above; and then decided that I would start with the family of Lena Berdella Owens Elkins. This was the very first section of my family history that I ever documented. I had some things written down for my grandparents and their parents, but I just was so interested with this section of my family tree. Ironically (other family historians will understand this humor) although it was the first area of focus, research, and documentation; I have had the most luck and findings with this part of my family. Perhaps the fact that most of this family was in East Liverpool (Ohio) for many generations allowed me to find so many obituaries, and other records. Never-the-less it was (and still is) my favorite volume in my documented Family History.
About a week after starting my quest with the Owens/Shamp section of my family tree, I found a census record on a research website that was the spark to something incredible. From a name in that record, I found probably the most exciting and emotionally uplifting information to date. That story is of brother and sister, Herman & Merle (Myrl) Ownes.
(To be Continued...)
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