You never know when family history "treats" will arrive.

Recently I had the pleasure of visiting with a cousin that I've not seen for some time.  The last time I saw him, he was fleeing the predicted onslaught of Hurricaine Katrina, and stayed he with me until it was afe to return.

Anyway...he now tells me that he has a box of old photos that he has been saving "for the family".  You can imagine the thrill I felt in hearing this information.  I hope they are still where he has "stored" them.  I contacted the holder about having them shipped to me.  I really hope they are there.

In addition to all this,  he is able to tell me all kinds of history about his Dad's side of the family.  I'm sure he will be able to give me additional tales about my side of the family.  I am trully excited.

I guess you never know when valuable family info will show up on your doorstep.....

Family Tree Magazine ULTIMATE Family History giveaway

I was excited to see this while I was looking around blogs today.  I thought I would share it just in case you missed it.  You can sign-up at the Family Tree magazine site and I've included the link too.  The rules state that you can enter once a day through October 31, 2010. 

Link to enter is:  http://win.familytreemagazine.com/

I can't wait to win this contest !!! 


The winner will receive a prize package including:

• A week-long Salt Lake City research trip! Free registration in a Family History Library Research Retreat from Family History Expos ($399 value) plus a free six-night stay at the neighboring Salt Lake Plaza hotel ($510 value)
• Annual subscription to FindMyPast.co.uk ($239 value)
• 2-year PremiumPlus membership to MyHeritage.com ($238 value)
• RootsMagic 4 software, Getting the Most from RootsMagic book, RootsMagic tote bag, 4GB RootsMagic flash drive, Personal Historian software, Family Atlas software ($122 value)
• 1-year Research Membership in the New England Historic Genealogical Society, including access to AmericanAncestors.org, plus a 1 hour consultation with a professional NEHGS genealogist ($125 value)
• 3 gift certificates for any spiral-bound or paperback book from Arphax Publishing's Family Maps or Texas Land Survey Maps series ($90 value)
• Annual subscription to GenealogyBank ($89.95 value)
• Google Earth for Genealogy DVD and Genealogy Gems Podcast Premium annual membership ($42 value)
• 10 Years of Family Tree Magazine DVD, The Family Tree Sourcebook and a 1-year Family Tree VIP membership ($185 value)

Lawrence Woodhead Nuttall...Maddness Monday

Meet Lawrence.  He is my GGGF.  He is originally from England.  He is not listed on any manifest that I have read, so far.  He came to this country in 1832 at the age of 14 ( b. 1817).  I would love to find your family from England, dear Lawrence, but alas this escapes me at present.  I have not given up yet.  Send me clues as to your siblings, parents, etc.  That would be greatly appreciated!  Your GGGD...gg

Tombstone Tuesday....

WOW!  It feels funny for this Tuesday to be  Monday, so to speak.  Anyway, I'm back to blogging on this soon to be stormy and wet Tuesday in North Louisiana.

Today I offer my Aunt Eva as the tombstone of interest.  She was the cutest thing.  She was my GM Ella's sister and they were so cute together.  Aunt Eva was a stitch.  She wore glasses that would easily resemble coke bottle bottoms.  One day we cleaned her glasses for her, she put them back on and looked around like she was seeing for the first time.  All she could say was Oh my.  I guess she hadn't cleaned the lenses in a while.  We all laughed and just had a fun time with Eva and Ella..............miss you both so much!

The foot marker says "Beloved Sister" and that she truly was.  She is buried next to my Mamaw Ella.

what is it about 14 year olds in the 1800's.....

that make us current Americans seem like a joke??  I mean these "kids" came to this country (some alone) and just "put on their big girl panties(or big boy panties) " and stormed the beaches, so to speak.

I mean that is what my GGGF did.  He was 14 when he arrived in the US ( 1832) and after that just ruled his destiny.  I know the average life expectancy was shorter back then, but WOW he took the bull by the horns and just dug in.

Anyone else out there with shockingly "mature" young immigrants in your tree too.  I 'd love to hear the stories.  Let 'em fly.............

But I digress....Family Tree Maker 2011

Ok, OK.  Yes, I'm using FTM 2008.  AND I just loaded it on my laptop.  ME???? you ask!!!!  YOU--Gadget Girl....McGIRLver to the masses.  Yep......admitting is it the first step toward.........oops wrong group.

I am coming clean and showing my weaknesses right now.  BUT...and I say but, I have ordered the new FTM 2011.  I thought I might come into the modern era of genealogy this year.  Not sure what all it'll "buy" me, but I am willing to learn.

I took the second "step" of signing up for the Ancestry.com web class that'll tutor me about the new software.  Now sure if this is a good thing, or just another tangent to follow in my life of ADHD........but I digress.   Doesn't matter I usually need a challenge (periodically) to keep me on my toes.  So "Wish me luck" .

If anyone has any really wiz bang ( nifty, peachy-keen, groovy man) things that they do specifically with their FTM software; be sure to pass those little gems along to me here.  I like the abridged version of most things...but I digress.

Tombstone Tues----

Today I enclose a photo of my favorite cemetary plot(s).  Part of my family rests there.  It is a really pretty place with a beautiful cedar shade tree that my grandfather planted there.  He sure did love his cedar trees.  I remember playing underneath them as a child, on the farm.  I pretended they were indian teepees and I was a great indian scout.  They sheltered me rom the rain and the hot summer sun.

So I give you Henry Carl--PETE--Skinner, Sr. (my papaw) and his cedar shaded resting place.  I still miss him!

The rocks that are used around the lot are local rocks that are mortared together for a border.

It is a really nice, old, and peaceful place.