where2look4ancestors

Carlson Family History, Genealogy, Mangels Family History, Tolf Family History, Walton Family History

A Week of Ancestors 4/28

Published by

Laura Aanenson

on

April 28, 2024

April 28 to May 4 BIRTHS: I first “met” Amanda Sofia Karlsdotter Tolf years ago in a softly lit Family History Center. According to the 1880 census I viewed on the FHC’s microfilm, Amanda and her older sister Frida were working as housemaids in the Geneva Illinois home of a…
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Genealogy, Organizing, Peterson Family History, Thompson Family History

Serendipity and Systems

Published by

Laura Aanenson

on

April 27, 2024

On the day I was to sort through a three-ring binder labeled “Ancestors and descendants of Julia Christine Thompson (1888-1964)”, I received an edit request on Find A Grave for Ludwig Charles Ogren, Julia’s brother-in-law. Julia’s older sister Esther Maria Thompson married Ludwig, who was a Swedish immigrant, on the…
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Genetic genealogy

National DNA Day

Published by

Laura Aanenson

on

April 25, 2024

This day commemorates the successful completion of the Human Genome Project in 2003 and the discovery of DNA’s double helix in 1953. If like me, you are new to the gene pool party, DNA stands for deoxyribonucleic acid which is the molecule that carries genetic information for the development and…
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Genealogy

Pursue, Preserve and Present

Published by

Laura Aanenson

on

April 24, 2024

In the March 31 issue of Genealogy Gems, Curt Witcher wrote, “With the recent arrival of spring, may we all feel inspired to intentionally engage in activities that give us opportunities to pursue, preserve and present our families’ stories.” I’ve had the pleasure of attending a number of Curt’s presentations…
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Family History in Tånnö, Genealogy, Mangels Family History, Peterson Family History, Schmitt Family History

A Week of Ancestors

Published by

Laura Aanenson

on

April 21, 2024

April 21-27 Seeing the places where my ancestors lived their lives was an amazing part of last year’s trip to Scandinavia. BIRTHS: It was an emotional experience being in the spot where “our” cottage stood 154 years ago. Elis Peterssdotter, who I wrote about here, was born at a farm…
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Organizing

Tweaking the System

Published by

Laura Aanenson

on

April 20, 2024

I talked about my genealogy binder re-do here thinking I had all my ducks in a row. For the first couple binders, everything was quacking about nicely. Then I hit a few snags. So I made some corrections: Previously I thought this was fine: Then those pesky patronymic names came…
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Family History in Sokndal, Norwegian Genealogy, Tønnesson Family History

The House that Tønnes Built

Published by

Laura Aanenson

on

April 18, 2024

One of many treasured memories from last year’s trip to Scandinavia was an overnight visit to Sogndalstrand. A Norwegian newspaper article from 1987 told of a house built there by my 3rd great-grandfather Tønnes Christiansen. It is still standing. Across the street from Tønnes’ house is the lovely Sogndalstrand Kulturhotell…
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Family History in Cincinnati, Find A Grave, Schmitt Family History, Tombstone Tourist

Monumental Perspective

Published by

Laura Aanenson

on

April 16, 2024

My 2nd great-grandmother Elisabeth Schmitt had 13 known siblings. One of her younger brothers, Emile, married the daughter of a beer baron in Cincinnati and played an instrumental role in the John Kauffman Brewing Company in the late 19th century. Although I am not related to John Kauffman, I have…
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Genealogy, Peterson Family History

Unsolved Family History Mystery

Published by

Laura Aanenson

on

April 15, 2024

The Chicago Genealogical Society recently coordinated a visit to the Oak Park River Forest Museum. This was a wonderful opportunity for me to finally meet other CGS members with whom I’d been virtually chatting for many months over Zoom. And the OPRFM has a plethora of materials one might use…
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Genealogy, Landstrom Family History, Mangels Family History, Schmitt Family History, Tønnesson Family History, Thompson Family History, Tolf Family History

A Week of Ancestors

Published by

Laura Aanenson

on

April 14, 2024

April 14-20 BIRTHS: 200 years ago this week, my 3rd great grandfather Johan Peter Landström was born in Göteryd parish in Kronoberg, Sweden. He was the sixth-born child of a master blacksmith (mäster smed) and as a young man became a blacksmith himself. Johan raised six sons, most of whom…
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Hello,

I’m Laura

and I’m interested in all things genealogy. Join me as I continue my decades-long quest to learn more about my family history and the lives of my ancestors.

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