My mom's side of the family had a fellow who was paralyzed who then spent his time tracing our family roots back to the early 1800's. Mennonites were persecuted because they did not believe in war and thus emigrated to North America via Russia. They settled in the prairie provinces of Canada, and also Mexico and South America. The tree was done to 1959. My number in this book is "666," I am so delighted about that!
My mom's cousin wrote and published a softcover text in 2003 called "Faspa." (originally a snack/teatime between lunch and dinner, but that has evolved to serve to company on Sunday afternoons.) This book has little vignettes of what is was like for the first generation settlers - through the eyes of those that experienced them.
I am so fortunate that I have these treasures.
My dad's side of the family is much more mysterious and sad. My sister is working at finding a bit more about his side of the family.
"You can't get what you want till you know what you want." Joe Jackson
2006 Cannondale Feminine/Ultegra/Jett
2012 Trek Speed Concept 9.5/Ultegra/saddle TBD