The Lives Behind the Names

Nearly 25 years ago my genealogy journey began with my great-grandfather, a quiet man born in 1874 who died when I was ten. I remembered him well, but when I asked my mother about his family, she knew almost nothing—even though she had grown up with him.

That simple question started a search that uncovered his parents, brothers, sisters, and an entire family we never knew existed. My mother was amazed, and I was hooked.

Since then, genealogy has led me through generations of remarkable family stories and connections, including cousins Abraham Lincoln, President James A. Garfield, Emily Dickinson, the Wright Brothers, Goodyear co-founder F. A. Seiberling, owner and resident of Stan Hywet Hall, and several Revolutionary War patriots. My research into those patriot ancestors also led me to become a member of The Daughters of the American Revolution. And the farmers of the family, so many lived their lives working their farms and they were just as important as anyone.

What began with one unanswered family question became a lifelong passion for discovering the lives and stories behind the names.