Our Growing Family Tree

The Mysterious Mr. Max

February 7, 2025

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Kirsten M. Max-Douglas

#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…
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Chasing My Swedish Roots

February 1, 2025

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Kirsten M. Max-Douglas

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 paternal great-great-grandfather in Sweden. I’ve always been fascinated by my Swedish heritage. Ever since I learned that…
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The Mystery of Julia Dubinsky: Why Was She Overlooked?

January 21, 2025

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Kirsten M. Max-Douglas

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…
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Nicknames – Moms & Pops

January 17, 2025

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Kirsten M. Max-Douglas

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…
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My Favorite Photo

January 12, 2025

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Kirsten M. Max-Douglas

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…
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My Genealogical Adventure Begins

January 2, 2025

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Kirsten M. Max-Douglas

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…
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From the Roots to the Leaves

January 1, 2025

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Kirsten M. Max-Douglas

Every family tree has its roots in the past, and branches that reach into the present. Welcome to my blog, where I explore the roots of my family history and the stories that have grown from them. This is more than a hobby—it’s a labor of love. Through this blog,…
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