I have the great pleasure of introducing you to Ramona and her blog, My Channel Island Ancestry, described as, “. . . My family history in the Channel Islands and beyond.”

How Ramona Got Started in Genealogy

Ramona has been doing Genealogy since she was 17 years old.

“Family History was an optional extracurricular subject in my sixth form year. I am delighted I started so young, as I had a chance to speak to relations that are not around today. I have now been researching my family tree for over 20 years which is amazing to think about. I read a lot of historical novels and enjoy learning about lives of the past and how similar or different we are.”

Ramona’s Thoughts on Blogging

“I started My Channel Island Ancestry blog in May 2010. I was a home mum and wanted to learn new skills that I could do in school hours. As I was researching my family tree I noticed a lot of personal genealogy blogs springing up everywhere and I liked the personal touch and community that was building. I could not find any other blogs about family tree connections at the time and so I thought it would be a good idea to start one. I have been amazed at how many new discoveries I have made since starting my blog.”

Ramona’s Favorite Blog Post

“One of my favourites (as there are many) is about the surname Lozuet, of which I have made hardly any progress. Therefore, when a reader wrote to me about his connections and the name itself I was delighted.”

Ramona’s Tip for New Bloggers

“Think carefully about why you want to do it. We are not there to expose skeletons in the cupboard, we are the record keepers for future generations, who will one day ask about their family tree and they will be grateful for all your hard work.”

How Genealogy Has Improved Ramona’s Life

“I have a great sense of where my family line has come from, what we have survived, endured, loved and learnt to get to this very day. My family are small in build but strong, creative, deep thinkers and sociable.”

Ramona’s Favorite Ancestor

“I am intrigued with Maryanne De France. She is my great, great, great, great grandmother. Born about 1783 in St. Peter Port, Guernsey, Channel Islands, she married my 4x great grandfather William Davey/Davis. She had 6 children and lived to the grand age of 76 which in 1858 shows that she was tough cookie with a strong constitution.”

What Ramona Loves Most About Genealogy

“Hearing from readers and making new discoveries!”

Ramona’s Time Capsule Message

“Listen to your grandparents and remember their stories.”

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Please take a moment to head on over to Ramona’s blog. Leave her a comment letting her know you stopped by. Welcome Ramona, it’s great to have you here!

© 2013, copyright Gini Webb

Gini Webb lives in San Diego, California and manages her own blog, Ginisology, while also researching her own German heritage, recently retired, enjoying life with wonderful husband Steve and visiting with her now seven grandchildren!

Are you a genealogy blogger who would like to be interviewed for the “May I Introduce To You . . .” series? If so, contact Gini Webb via e-mail.

I have the great pleasure of introducing you to Heather Roelker and her blog, Leaves for Trees, described as, “. . . A little place where I try to pull together my love of family, writing and research.”

How Heather Got Started in Genealogy

“I have been fascinated by genealogy for as long as I can remember, but I have been ‘serious’ about it for around seven years.

As long as I can remember my family has told me stories about our ancestors. The first story I remember is being told that we were related to William H. Seward, Secretary of State during the Lincoln administration. I was already a big fan of Abraham Lincoln and this clinched the deal. I was fascinated and hooked! Somehow, knowing that I was related to a known historical person seemed to make genealogy interesting to me.”

Heather’s Thoughts on Blogging

“I started my blog in 2008, but I did not start seriously posting until 2011. It started as a sort of journal to share my genealogy finds. Most people get the ‘glazed-eye’ look when I tell them my genealogy stories, but my blog never does. Luckily, by beginning my blog I was connected with a bunch of like-minded folk that like to hear my stories even when they aren’t related!”

Heather’s Favorite Blog Post

“My favorite has to be ‘Cure for Genealogy ADD?’ I have yet to find a cure. ”

Heather’s Tip for New Bloggers

“Don’t feel pressured to post every day. Write when it comes naturally and if you don’t have anything to say just post a photo. It also helps to outline posting goals. For instance, I decided to write a post for each of my 32 3rd-great-grandparents. It is helping to outline my finds and pinpointing holes in my research. Plus, I always have a post topic to fall back on when I can’t think of anything mind-blowing to write.”

How Genealogy Has Improved Heather’s Life

“For me, genealogy is a passion. Genealogy research and blogging allow me a way to do the things I love without deadlines or expectations and I’m only liable to myself.”

Heather’s Favorite Ancestor(s)

“I feel guilty for admitting it, but I do have a favorite (or rather two favorites): Philip and Bertha Kuhn. I think it stems from the fact that I can relate to this civil war military family and because my research efforts on this couple have yielded great results. If only I could find their photographs…”

What Heather Loves Most About Genealogy

“I love the ‘hunt.’ I love the impossible question and the research to find the answer. Breaking brick walls is the most rewarding part of this hobby.”

Heather’s Time Capsule Message

“My message to future generations? ‘You are where you came from.’ And because I’m anal about grammar and spelling: ‘Spell check will only tell you to spell the wrong word right.’”

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Please take a moment to head on over to Heather’s blog. Leave her a comment letting her know you stopped by. Welcome Heather, it’s great to have you here!

© 2013, copyright Gini Webb

Gini Webb lives in San Diego, California and manages her own blog, Ginisology, while also researching her own German heritage, recently retired, enjoying life with wonderful husband Steve and visiting with her now seven grandchildren!

Are you a genealogy blogger who would like to be interviewed for the “May I Introduce To You . . .” series? If so, contact Gini Webb via e-mail.

I have the great pleasure of introducing you to Judy Kellar Fox, CG and her blog, Pinpointing Dennis Buggy’s Irish Origins, described as, “. . . Pinpointing Dennis Buggy’s Irish Origins is an experiment in using a blog as a research report.  It follows a basic principle of Irish research: scour the U. S. records before tackling Irish sources.  Each post represents research in a different type of U. S. record, covering the bases.  I’ve never researched Irish ancestors, so I’m learning the Irish research as I go!  The Genealogical Proof Standard motivates me to acknowledge, discuss, and resolve conflicting information.  That, a wide search, careful analysis of information found, and full source citation assure that when Dennis Buggy’s birthplace is finally located, it will be with confidence!”

A native Californian, “. . . I migrated to Oregon when my children were small, attracted by my husband’s work with Intel.  My home is across the road from a small rural cemetery and from a nature park filled with Douglas firs, wild iris, and coyotes.”

How Judy Got Started in Genealogy

“It’s the detective work that appeals to me, so it probably started in childhood as a Dick Tracy comic book reader!

Collecting names and records for some twenty years gradually gave way to serious study, the NGS Home Study Course, and preparation of my portfolio for certification with the Board for Certification of Genealogists, awarded in 2007.”

Judy’s Thoughts on Blogging

My son the digital marketer nudged me for months to write a blog:

Son, ‘Mom, you have to write a blog.’

Me, ‘Why?  Who would care?  What do I have to say to anyone?’

Son, ‘You’ll be surprised.’

I am surprised, and pleased.”

Judy’s Favorite Blog Post

“It hasn’t been written yet!  It will be the one that discusses where Dennis Buggy was actually born.  Stay tuned.  :-)”

Judy’s Tip for New Bloggers

“Written family history outshines pedigree charts any day, so I encourage you to make your contribution.”

How Genealogy Has Improved Judy’s Life

“Genealogical research and writing helped me through the worst days of chemotherapy and radiation for breast cancer a few years ago.  My daily walk in the woods, ballroom dancing, and previously simple household activities gave way to fatigue, but there was usually enough energy for some online research and writing!  My work during that time gave me a sense of being able to do something worthwhile, despite ‘chemo brain.’”

Judy’s Favorite Ancestor(s)

“I’d rather share an event that convinced me of the value of sharing our ancestors with family.  A young cousin married last year, one hundred years after the marriage of his great-grandparents, whose wedding portrait I inherited.  I framed a copy of it as a gift and asked to speak at the reception.  Six of us attending the wedding had also participated in the great grandparents’ fiftieth wedding anniversary a half-century before.  I talked about the coincidence of the marriage years and my hope that the great grandparents’ marital longevity would inspire the new couple to face challenges equally successfully together.

The bride and groom were thrilled.  Their photographer posed them in the same way as the great grandparents for a centennial remembrance photo.  Sharing a family memento and the story of the people attached to it gives a sense of belonging to something bigger than ourselves, which is so often lost in our mobile, disconnected lives.”

What Judy Loves Most About Genealogy

“The thrill of the hunt, the excitement of solving a problem, and crafting a written description of the problem and its solution.”

Judy’s Time Capsule Message

“Know the past to avoid its pitfalls and enjoy its inspirations.”

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Please take a moment to head on over to Judy’s blog. Leave her a comment letting her know you stopped by. Welcome Judy, it’s great to have you here!

© 2013, copyright Gini Webb

Gini Webb lives in San Diego, California and manages her own blog, Ginisology, while also researching her own German heritage, recently retired, enjoying life with wonderful husband Steve and visiting with her now seven grandchildren!

Are you a genealogy blogger who would like to be interviewed for the “May I Introduce To You . . .” series? If so, contact Gini Webb via e-mail.