where2look4ancestors

Category: Genealogy

  • Raymond Carl Johan Tolf 1891-1973

    I started climbing my family tree in 1986 after reading an article in the Chicago Tribune. Raymond C. Tolf’s name was in the article. Everyone in my family referred to Raymond as Unkie. He was my maternal grandmother’s paternal uncle, the brother of Harry Tolf. Unkie and his sister outlived Harry…

  • Carl Tolf 1768-1827

    My 5th great-grandfather Carl Tolf was born on this date in 1768 (246 years ago!) in Svenarum, Jönköping, Sweden. Here’s  a brief pedigree for the cousins following this line: Carl TOLF (1768-1827) married Helena Jonasdotter WIDERBERG and they had a son named Carl Jonas; Carl Jonas TOLF (1795-1833) married Maja Lisa…

  • Tying Up Loose Ends

    Using the calendars in Family Tree Maker as a tickler file is helping tie up loose ends in my family history research. On this date in 1900, Clara Antoinette Joehnk was born in Cincinnati, Hamilton, Ohio. Her parents were John and Clara nee Biedinger. Clara Biedinger’s parents were Nicholas and…

  • A Second Look at December

    Organizing one’s family history research is practically a full time job, isn’t it? I already have a full time job, so I have to get (and stay!) organized to make the most of the tiny windows of time I have available to actually do research. December first I began scanning records…

  • Merry Christmas 1951

  • Why We Should Ask for Help

    Michael John Neil’s suggestion to get an outside opinion could not have been more timely. The day after I read it, I had a wonderful opportunity to follow his advice. (Thank you Michael!) While preparing for an upcoming event sponsored by the local German Genealogy Society, I mentioned one of…

  • 1903 Obituaries – December 5

    From the December 5, 1903 issue of the Chicago Daily News, page 14; “BACKMAN-ELMER, In memory of beloved nephew of Capt. and Mrs. M. S. Smith, who died one year ago to-day, Dec. 5, 1902. G.B.N.T.” “BOEHM-ELIZABETH, wife of Joseph Boehm, mother of George, Carl, Val, Louisa and Christ Boehm,…

  • A Second Look at November

    Feeling overwhelmed by the number of tasks on your genealogy to-do list? Oh my gosh, me too! Last month I decided to let my ancestors guide me through what should be done next to tell their stories. I started by printing a monthly calendar from Family Tree Maker. Each day lists an event…

  • My Favorite Four-Letter Word

    You may have a different favorite four-letter word. And mine may surprise you, but here goes. My favorite four-letter word is … D-O-N-E. I love that word! I love the BOOM of it – DONE! As in “that project is”, c’mon, say it with me – DONE! In genealogy, it’s…

  • My Family History Month 2013 To-Do List

    Here’s a rainy day project idea. Peruse the surnames of your direct line ancestors and jot down a question or two you’d like answered for each name on your list. My list is below: Françoise ADAM (my French 6th great-grandmother): when/where was she born? when/where did she marry Jean Schmitt? Magnus…