About this Site
The idea of better communications and connections among family members
probably goes back to a time before computers
and emails. I remember birthday parties, summer trips to Nebraska,
Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter gatherings with uncles, aunts and cousins
and much more.
There were Round Robin Letters, birthday cards and phone calls to keep up to date on family members. Our family was large and that meant lots of cousins with whom I could have fun. There were photo albums and exchanges so we could appreciate how we looked and aged.
More recently, the computer has made communicating faster and easier. First,
we invited family members to write notes share happenings in their lives
and families. The letters were connected and a newsletter evolved. As
sending photos became easier, they were included and the newsletter became
more visual.
Next, the computer simplified the organization of family members into a geneaology collection. Some in the family had begun collecting this information in family Bibles and lists. Thanks to Eileen English, Loraine Seim, Pat Meyer and others for sharing their early records. Computerizing the records made sharing them easier. The collection grew as families extended out. The Rhode family was added thanks to Virgil Hein and his historical collection. Lenora Kasworm shared her records of the Giesenhagen family. Descendants of D. C. Meyer in Kansas were added with thanks to members of the Ohlde family. Originally, I chose these families because they were my in-laws and out-laws. Later, I used Ancestry and Family Search to discover the extended families of my cousins and other relatives.
The entire collection now numbers over 4000 people. In some cases, the family members go back to the 1600's in Germany. There is a growing collection of photos, histories, and other media accessible to family members. Those who wish to help with adding more information are invited to register as users. The collection will continue to grow as the extended family grows.
My personal goal was to be able to help my children have a place they could look to learn more of their heritage. I hope others might see it as a similar resource for their family.
Enjoy!
November, 2019