ID 78946638 © Sitriel | Dreamstime.com

Beautiful autumn Slovakia landscape in Litmanova. Autumn landscape photo taken in Slovakia - beautiful meadow in Litmanova

Our Growing Family Tree

Adding family, one branch at a time.

Beautiful autumn landscape in Litmanova, Slovakia. ID 78946638 © Sitriel | Dreamstime.com

  • Migration Stories: The Svensson-Sten Family’s Journey from Kristianstad, Sweden to America

    Migration Stories: The Svensson-Sten Family’s Journey from Kristianstad, Sweden to America

    A #52Ancestors project exploration of chain migration through one Swedish family’s experience When three siblings from Kristianstad län, Sweden set sail for America in the 1920s, they became part of the final wave of the Great Swedish Migration. Their journeys—separated by years but connected by family ties—perfectly illustrate the concept…

  • The Power of Letters in Genealogy

    The Power of Letters in Genealogy

    “My baby, just a wrote me a letter…”[1] #52Ancestors – Letters and Diaries Letters are a goldmine for genealogical research. Unlike dry official records, letters capture the raw emotions, everyday experiences, and personal connections that defined our ancestors’ lives. And if you happen to have a collection of wartime love…

  • The Mysterious Mr. Max

    The Mysterious Mr. Max

    #52Ancestors – Surprises They always say, “Start with what you know,” right? Seems easy enough… but what if you don’t know much at all? What if what you thought you knew turns out to be full of surprises? As I’ve written before, I started my genealogy journey at a young…

  • Chasing My Swedish Roots

    Chasing My Swedish Roots

    This week’s #52Ancestors prompt is “Challenge.” And let me tell you—I’ve had my fair share of research challenges. But my biggest one? The one that keeps me up at night? Tracking down my great-great-grandfather in Sweden. I’ve always been fascinated by my Swedish heritage. Ever since I learned that my…

  • The Mystery of Julia Dubinsky: Why Was She Overlooked?

    The Mystery of Julia Dubinsky: Why Was She Overlooked?

    Family history is often like a puzzle—some pieces fit perfectly, while others seem to be missing altogether. For years, Julia Dubinsky was one of those missing pieces. No one knew exactly when she had died, and even her own son couldn’t recall the details. So why was Julia overlooked for…

  • Nicknames – Moms & Pops

    Nicknames – Moms & Pops

    This week’s #52ancestors theme is nicknames, and while we really don’t have too many nicknames in our family, my first thought was to write about my maternal grandparents, Moms and Pops. That’s them, above, in a photo I took in September 1976. Their nicknames weren’t just affectionate terms within the…

  • My Favorite Photo

    My Favorite Photo

    Sometimes, a single photograph can hold an entire world of memories, emotions, and history. For me, that world is captured in a snapshot taken when I was just three days old in 1969. This photo is my favorite for reasons that go far beyond the people it depicts. It’s a…

  • My Genealogical Adventure Begins

    My Genealogical Adventure Begins

    Starting this blog feels like opening a time capsule, full of stories waiting to be uncovered. Here, I’ll share my research, discoveries, and maybe some tips for those interested in genealogy. I hope these stories spark your curiosity and inspire you to explore your own roots. And if you discover…