I was curious about the amount of time spent documenting an obituary and the extended family. Details are listed on the chalkboard.

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…I spent time searching for a needle in a haystack.

 
 
 
 
 
 
Lorraine walked away from the computer and spent a brief time in the yard.

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Here I am, five hours later, and I’m launching time and energy into the documentation of another family member. The earlier… was completed at noon. I just can’t stay away from Ancestry.com. Trimming the Crepe Myrtle left me exhausted but apparently not “too tired” to research.

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The past few days have been beautiful–and warm. I failed to appreciate the lovely weather because I was glued to the computer.  I think I already see a hint of green on neighborhood trees. It was important to finish trimming the Crepe Myrtle tree.

After I checked that last “leaf hint” I was able to “walk away.” Documenting the obituary, and researching the ancestors, and their families, required two full days. But the obituaries are piling up! A cousin (with subscriptions to funeral homes, and newspapers) sends obituaries every few days. (He knows I document my Old German Baptist Brethren, Church of the Brethren, and Mennonite families.) Question: “Can I take a break now?”  Brunch time.

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Adds to the work of documentation and subtracts from my limited energy.

“Cousin” was receptive to more assistance but didn’t bother to say “thank you.” I think I provide valuable help but rarely receive a “thank you.”

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This is an awesome “climbing the family tree”  day!! Yesterday (last night), I received a request for information. This morning I tackled the project and the individual who inquired is my fifth cousin one-time-removed. I had most of the family documented but I’ve continued to search, and document, because he is looking for the connection to Abraham Lincoln. I’m almost to the Lincoln family but am eager to share my latest project with my readers. Less monumental (?), I passed eighty-seven thousand individuals in my database.

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Postscript at 6:40 PM: All day on this very interesting project. I value source material but I also need to “see” the family structure. Today, I added a lot of “source” information and I’m feeling pride because President Abraham Lincoln is a distant relative.

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Relationships are complicated.I  believe Mary Lincoln is a grand aunt of Abraham Lincoln.