Julian was not quite two when he visited Captain John Linton’s grave the first time – his seventh great-grandfather. Washington County, Kentucky.
Today, eight years ago, my first genealogy blog was written and published on WordPress. Little did I know I would still be writing! I have enjoyed every moment of research and writing, in addition to the many comments and emails I receive from you. At first my blogs were about my family lines, but then I realized how many more families have lived here, and starting researching others. To cover the state and its people, I would have to visit the state, and expand my research. This started our journey of going to every county in Kentucky, visiting a few cemeteries, going to courthouses for old records and visiting genealogy societies. How remarkable to meet so many friendly, interesting people. Ritchey and I have visited 91 of the 120 counties. I can now tell you in which area of the state counties are located, and know most of the county seats. We always drive the back roads to see the beautiful countryside and stop at small restaurants along the way. How many new families I have researched and now count as my own. And my knowledge of the history of Kentucky has grown by leaps and bounds.
Even though my children do not research their family, they are always willing to visit cemeteries when possible, and listen as I ramble on about their great-greats. Linton takes me to bookstores to find old treasures about early Kentucky and the counties. I have more hope my grandchildren will love genealogy as much as I do. Julian has been introduced to many cemeteries and stood by the gravestones of many great-greats. He is now four. Percy has yet to visit a cemetery, but we will rectify that shortly – she is only ten months.
A big thank you to all of you who read my daily blogs. I am amazed at the number who receive my emails every morning. We will continue this journey as long as possible. Genealogy is a never-ending hobby and one that I dearly love!
Categories: Genealogy Ramblings
We who are Children of the South, and most specifically, Children of Kentucky, appreciate your many efforts; especially those of us who moved to another state 50 years ago.
In fact, the name of my tree is “Child of the South.” Lest I forget…….All of my ancestors through gg grandparents were born and died in Kentucky; except one born in Tennessee, and one born in NC.
I am so appreciative of the research you have done. I just became interested in my genealogy a few years ago. Your resources have made my own research so much more fruitful. I am waiting to be approved for membership in the Daughters of the American Revolution based on my Revolutionary ancestpr William Crow in Danville Kentucky. I’ll continie to work on my ancestry using the many wonderful tools you provide.
Love reading your blog.
We are,probably cousins through the Cameron’s.
Joella Hutchins Martin
San Diego, CA
Love reading your blog.
We are,probably cousins through the Cambron’s.
Joella Hutchins Martin
San Diego, CA
Happy Birthday!
Phyllis,HAPPY 8 YEARS!!!As I read your comments about your kids and their non-interest, I thought you should hear my story. That very well may be a temporary stage of life for them.My “Dear Aunt” Leona Friesenborg, who is my mother’s only sibling, now a healthy 92 and living in SE Mo, almost a mother to me has more than once told me how one day a long time ago when my mother was putting together a set of family genealogy books, told her “Ron will never look at this, but I’m going to do it anyway!”. WRONG!Well, that was true while I was working. Then I retired 20 years ago, and after a couple of years, I looked at those books, and I became acquainted – and became friends with – my 2nd cousin, John Kirpatrick who lives in SE MO. Little did my mother know. I cannot tell you how many miles and weeks of travel Jody and I have logged since then…. several great trips to Wisconsin, where we met and became friends with Klein cousins who we still keep in touch with, a couple of trips to the pacific NW where we met a group of Klein cousins who descend from my Gr-Grandfather Georges brother. Then the several trips to New England, the Carolinas and places in between. We’ve made trips to visit places Jody’s family lived beginning in the 1640s. We’ve visited homes of her cousins – George Washington, John Adams, John Quincy Adams, and Pres Calvin Coolidge. We’ve been by a home in MA where the first Waldo who arrived in America in the 1640s owned when it was built in the 1660s. We’ve been to all sorts of places where her family lived and died. And, they all left their print on our nation. Mine did too, beginning with the Jamestown Colony 400 years ago. I now have 4 “certified” ancestors there. In July there is a celebration of the first “democratic assembly” in July/August 1619 where my Grandfather, Rev. Samuel Maycock, participated as one of 28 men who drafted the basis for our Government that established the legal framework for our nation when that occurred in the 1700s! Another Grandfather, Richard Pace, is described as the man who “saved the Colony” from the massacre of 1622. His wife, and the daughter of Rev Maycock are the other 2 that are part of my membership there. Rev Maycock died on his plantation in that massacre, when his daughter was an infant under the care of a family friend in Jamestown. She later married George Pace, the Son of Richard and Isabella Pace.Then, there are my patriot ancestors who fought – and died – during the Revolution. Another grandfather was a spy for Washington. Some descended from the Paces and Maycock. Others were Scots-Irish from my Kirkpatrick ancestral family. Who could NOT wait to go fight the British who they obviously did not like!So, all in all, I now understand why I probably made my choices to be a civilian engineer in the defense business most of my working life… it was simply in my blood. It really has allowed me to understand more about myself and my own choices.So, someday your own kids may decide to pursue what Jody and I have. It just has to be at the right time of life! And, in our case, neither of us had a reason to expect all we have learned. And, it has given us an additional common interest that has brought us even closer together after more than 50 years of marriage.I suspect this kind of story is not uncommon…. so…. someday your kids may very well experience the same thing… and all your good work will simply help them pursue it all!Ron
Eight years?! Congratulations!
Amen! Happy Easter, Phyllis!
Happy 8th Anniversary, Kentucky Kindred Genealogy. I’m delighted when you write about one of my counties – and especially one of my ancestors – but I enjoy them all so very much. Congratulations on a labor of love that’s most appreciated by this Californian, who doesn’t get to Kentucky in person nearly as frequently as I’d like. But that’s o.k. because you bring it to us!
Mary E Hall
Santa Barbara, CA
Thank you for your dedication and blog. Every morning when i visit Facebook you are there waiting with great information to enlighten me. I began research on my family in 2009 and have occupied around 10,000 hours of my life trying to complete my tree. I found that my grandparents of the past were neighbors to Thomas Jefferson family, whiskey makers with Andrew Jackson, grandparents of Abraham Lincoln, grandparents to the lead investigator for the Kennedy assassination and the midwife for Jefferson Davis. I now realize how connected our world can be and how little we know about our families. I thought I was the first world traveler in the family but found that when I went to Oran Algeria for my first outing from Kentucky that my uncle was there in World War II and another uncle died in Brazil. I loved visiting Barbados but my grandparents beat me there in the 1600’s. Even my DNA says I have South Asian family connections probably from the British empire days probably helping to explain why I felt so comfortable living in Southeast Asia. Even this week with the uproar over the Ancestry ad, I have found 2 similar situations in my family but they just settled in the neighborhood and lived their lives. Yes family genealogy is eye opening.
Congratulations, Phyllis. I so enjoy opening my email to find you there!
I believe that someone will be contacting you with a formal invitation to the Dutch Cousins of Mercer Co KY Gathering. This year it is scheduled for Sept 12 – 16 at KSU in Frankfort. That Sunday the Gathering closes with worship at Old Mud in Harrodsburg. Would like to meet you in person, I too feel like we are family.
Have a blessed Easter celebrating our dear Lord, Jesus. charlotte
On Sat, Apr 20, 2019 at 11:26 AM Kentucky Kindred Genealogy wrote:
> Kentucky Kindred Genealogical Research posted: “Julian was not quite two > when he visited Captain John Linton’s grave the first time – his seventh > great-grandfather. Washington County, Kentucky. Today, eight years ago, my > first genealogy blog was written and published on WordPress. Little did I > know ” >
I inherited my love for genealogy from my mother. I really appreciate and look foreword to your blog. Thank you for sharing !
Good morning Phyllis,
You are inspiring and absolutely amazing. I am a bit envious of all the fun you are having and the joy you bring to so many people by putting them in touch with the pasts of their loved ancestors.
Thank you a million times for all you have done for me and for all those lucky enough to read your blog each day.
Best to you always.
JB
JB Hamilton Queen