Category: Ancestor Stories
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The #52Ancestors Challenge: Bringing Your Family History to Life
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Hello fellow family history enthusiasts! I wanted to take a moment to chat about something that’s absolutely transformed my genealogy journey – the #52Ancestors in 52 Weeks challenge created by genealogist Amy Johnson Crow. Think of it as your personal invitation to dust off those family stories hiding in your…
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Language – Decoding My Swedish Ancestry
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For Week 14 of #52Ancestors There’s something uniquely challenging and rewarding about researching ancestors who spoke a language different from your own. As someone who has spent countless hours poring over Swedish church records, I’ve developed a love-hate relationship with the beautiful, flowing handwriting of 19th-century Swedish parish priests—and the…
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If These Walls Could Talk: Our Family’s Brooklyn Haven Since 1905
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For Week 13 of #52Ancestors – Theme: Home Sweet Home When we talk about “home,” what really makes a house a home? Is it the physical structure, the people inside it, or the memories created there? For my family, one special house in Brooklyn has been all of these things…
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Historical Events: My Grandfather’s American Journey
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Week 12 of #52Ancestors Challenge: Historical Events When we think of “historical events,” our minds often jump to world wars, presidential elections, or groundbreaking scientific discoveries. But history is also created through the personal journeys of ordinary people making extraordinary choices—choices that ripple through generations. For me, one such pivotal…
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Chasing my Swedish Roots – Part II – Breaking Through the Brick Wall
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Hello again, fellow ancestry detectives! Remember back in February when I shared my quest to uncover my Swedish roots? Well, grab a cup of coffee (or perhaps some Swedish glögg if you’re feeling festive) because I’ve got some exciting updates to share! Welcome to Week 11 of #52Ancestors! As you…
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When Sisters Marry Brothers: A Tale of Two Families Intertwined
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Have you ever wondered what it would be like if your sister married your husband’s brother? Two families joining together not once, but twice? I’ve always been fascinated by this unique connection in my family tree, and today I want to share the story of how the Hurkala sisters married…
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The Secrets We Keep: Myrtle’s Hidden Truth
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This week’s #52Ancestors prompt is “Family Secrets,” and it got me thinking about the stories we choose to tell—and those we don’t. Have you ever wondered what secrets your ancestors kept? What stories they took to their graves, what truths remained unspoken at family gatherings? I certainly have, especially when…
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Migration Stories: The Svensson-Sten Family’s Journey from Kristianstad, Sweden to America
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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…
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The Power of Letters in Genealogy
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“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…
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The Mysterious Mr. Max
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#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…