Ancestor Approved Award

I’m flattered and humbled to recieve the Ancestor Approved Award from Jo at Images Past.  I thank you, Jo!  Leslie Ann of Ancestors Live Here started the Award to show appreciation for the genealogy bloggers whose posts we enjoy.  The instructions are to specify ten things that I’ve learned about my ancestors that have surprised, humbled, or enlightened me, and then I should pass the award along to ten other Genealogy Bloggers that I feel are also deserving of it!
Let's get started.

Ten things that have surprised, humbled or enlightened me about my ancestors:

1. The Fredricksburg Land Records held a surprise for me. Barbara Kemp was living but the land was divided amongst the children without mention of her. If this had been the first record I had seen on this family, I could have thought she was dead.

2. This last year I was humbled to find I was able to remember so many Hero stories. 

3.  There isn't a category for delighted, but I was delighted to find that one of my Revolutionary War ancestors was dubbed "The Rambo of The American Revolution"

4.  I was surprised when I reviewed my dates and censuses to find my grandparents had a "Land Lottery" Romance.

5.  I was surprised to find my grgrand father Langley was a member of the secret organization "Anti Horse Thief Association". It was enlightening to discover more about the culture of the time.

6.  It was humbling to me to discover that the Hero's grgrandmother lost the majority of her family in 4 years all flu and TB related.  She was a strong person to lose her son, husband and brothers and father within 3 years.

7.  It is also humbling to me that you can think you have covered all there is to know about a person and still discover more.

8.  This last year in an of itself has been a time of enlightenment for me as I have attended ProGen discussions and read ProGenealogy. I have discovered my sourcing has been okay, but that is not good enough.

9.  I was surprised to find a new researcher on the Hero's grgrandparents.  Excited too.

10.  I have been humbled by the appearance of death certificates and birth certificates that have revealed cause of deaths and mother's maiden names.   I have to insert here that I am humbled by the many life hours that have been given to make these documents available on FamilySearch.org this year.


Now to pass it on to ten other bloggers.
Jen at Climbing My Family Tree
Debbie at DebsDelvings
Taneya at Taneya’s Genealogy Blog
Lulu  at Bits 'n Pieces
Genealogy Pisces at Blogging from the Branches 
Brandt at Brandt's Rants
Cynthia at ChicagoGenealogy 
Jenna  at Desperately Seeking Surnames
Every Man A Quotation
Foot Steps Past

Ancestor Approved Award

I have procrastinated all day thinking on this award.  I do thank Joan at Roots 'n' Leaves   ,  Carol from Reflections From the Fence , Lindalee at Flipside  , and Karen at Ancestor Soup  for this award.  I don't know why I would deserve it, but I will honor their gift. Now I am trying to hurry (sure, it just took me a day to get this done) so I can go visit the other blogs they awarded it too.



As a recipient of this award, I am to list 10 things I have learned about my ancestors that have surprised, humbled or enlightened me and then pass the award on to 10 other genealogy bloggers who I feel are doing their ancestors proud.
I can not imagine doing this quickly.  I include my husband's genealogy with mine.  As we became one when wed, our families became one in my mind.

1. I was surprised to find a son of John G Porter that had never been known before.  Extensive research had   been done on this family, but they apparently had never read the actual probate records.
2.  I am frequently humbled by the story of my grandmother Matilda Roberts Whitson who persevered  raising 6 of 13 children and 2 grandchildren after her husband died of cancer and the creditors took everything.  It helps me keep things in perspective.
3.  Enlightened by my study of the Mason's Apron which belonged to Thomas Thorn and the amount of interest of others that was generated by the story.
4. Surprised by a newpaper article I found at Genealogybank.com that points to a possible change in the history of my great grandfather and who his father was.  I am still exploring this.
5. Humbled by the history of the times my ancestors live through.  As my own children have moved many states away from our home, I have developed empathy with the mothers that must have sobbed at night knowing they probably would never see their children again that had gone west.
6. Surprised when I found the true story of my grandfather Charles Gildon moving west from Georgia.  My father had some of the truth, but it was steeped in lore that was not true.
7.  Enlightened when I read the book "Of Plymouth Plantation" by my ancestor Governor William Bradford.
It was wonderful to hear the story of the pilgrims in the words of one who had lived it.
8.  Surprised and elated when after 3 years of searching for the Hero's great grandfather, I looked on the opposite side of the index page and found him out of alphabetical order.  Silly me.
9. Enlightened by new methods of research.  DNA nailed an ancestor James Alexander Vance that many were sure about, but much had been circumstantial.
10. Enlightened, when I discovered in Old Wyoming Newspapers the true nature of my great grandfather Richard Whitson's death.  Family had always said he died in a gunfight...Highly romantic, he died of pneumonia.

Hmm looking at my list I would say not much has surprised me, but I have been greatly enlightened by study and certainly new facts can surprise one.  LOL

Now the 10 bloggers to pass the award on to and then the fun part of going to their blog and letting them know.  They are not in any particular order and you can visit them by clicking on their Title.

1. Lisa at The Faces of My Family
2. Travis at TJLGenes:Preserving Our Family History
3. Robin at Where I Come From
4. Jo at Those Who Went Before
5. Terri at The Next Chapter-Page 2010
6. Heather at Nutfield Genealogy
7. Barbara at Life From the Roots
8. Laura at It's All Relative
9. Kathy at I Will Remember
10. Donlynn at Homestead Origins