I wasn't late to the genealogy world by most standards. But later than I should have been.
I grew up thinking and believing that family history was something that you did when you retired and had time for it. No one else needed to. Despite constant pressures, talks, promptings, I never felt the need.
In the Winter of 2014, our Stake Presidency gave a challenge to all the youth in the Stake to prepare a name to take to the temple for the Stake Temple Day. I thought this was a great idea and fully endorsed it, thinking I wasn't a youth, I was a youth leader and exempt. Then I learnt that the challenge included youth leaders as well.
I jumped in with both feet. I created my account at www.familysearch.org and was searching all I could. I knew a lot had been done in my family by my grandpa, but thought I could find one. Instead, I found nothing for over a month. No matter what I did, where I looked, I was stumped. But I did learn the ins and outs of Family Search.
I was told I should sit down with Grandpa and ask for an area to start. I did, and he told me he couldn't find a distant grandfather on the Chown (His mother's) line. I went home, did a Google search and within minutes found him and hundreds of other names.
Thus began an obsession according to my wife, a hobby if you ask me and a worthwhile way to spend time.
Its been only 4 years. I've spent countless hours doing research. I've been able to help others as well.
I am by no means an expert, but I sure have fun doing it.
This blog was started as part of the #52Ancestor challenge by Amy Johnson Crow.
If you haven't yet signed up for it, I highly suggest you do.
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