“Your Great Grandparents Live in You.”

An Unsolicited Letter to the Grandkids

I failed to gather important information about my great grandparents until I was in my 30s. After our family moved from Joliet to Wilmington, Illinois – the birthplace of my parents – I was shamed by the fact that I kept meeting folks who were distant relatives. Until that time, I had heard that we were related, but I didn’t know how. 

Finally, I sat down with my mother who helped me to develop a family tree.

Gradually, I conducted fairly extensive genealogy research that has resulted in considerable documentation from which I can now write stories with some accuracy. But in many cases, I waited too long. Many of my old people resources were difficult to find or had died.

The research process continued through the current time, but the most valuable source of information gathering was a series of face-to-face interviews with cousins and older relatives. Once again, I botched many of these interviews.

Older folks had not only facts, but they also had stories that I now remember only vaguely. My note taking was insufficient and a tape recorder would have helped immensely. And guess what? Having been relegated to the unimportant status of old age, older folks were genuinely pleased to talk about my relatives and “how things were” when they were younger.

So, why is this important?

What makes us what we are? Inside of each one of us are elements of our ancestors, our parents and grandparents, education, food, culture, and community. In particular, your grandparents live inside of you. The traumas that they endured may unknowingly exist in your DNA.

I am asking you to talk with your parents as soon as possible about their grandparents. Each of you has four great grandparents and eight great, great grandparents. 

1. Who are your great grandparents? 
2. If you can find a picture, scan it. 
3. What did they do for a living?
4. What significant world/national events happened during their lives? 
5. How many kids did they have? Names?
6. Who were the United States presidents while your great grandparents were alive?

Once you have compiled this information, please send it to me and I will compile it in one document to be shared by our extended family. But this will be only a beginning for you to continue your research. Next, you will want to find your great, great grandparents and begin the search for answers to the questions above.

I will be providing you with a head start with the Kennedy and Ginter ancestors. Grandma is also listing her Senffner and Sterle/Anzelc ancestors. 

I think that it would be worthwhile to you to make an electronic ancestor file for yourself. All of you have the expertise to accomplish this.

With all of the love in the world,

Grandpa K/Poppy