My mother has gathered bits and pieces of information by asking her parents and grandparents. She started a notebook and a few years ago my sister gave us all a copy for Christmas. It had been in a box up until 2007 when I discovered ancestry.com. In the Fall of 2006 I stopped working to be a "stay at home mom", so I figured researching my family history would be a nice hobby....Little did I know it would become an addiction.
The information gathered by my mother was accurate, so with the help of the internet I began adding dates, places, missing names, life events, etc...And the rest is history. If it wasn't for my Mama I probably wouldn't have been interested, but as it turns out I really do enjoy my research. Not only does it keep my mind sharp, it's like adding a new chapter to a novel every time I find something or make a connection with a new found member of my family. Finding someone that is connected to my family and then being able to contact them is a great feeling. But, having my Mama still around to share it with is the greatest...
I've added information to sites to help anyone that might being looking for the same people as I am. I am more than happy to help out in any way I can.
My family surnames are: Sparkman, Malone, Long, Harlon (Harlan), Smith, Blake, Johnson, Campbell, Matthews, Rhodes, Jenkins, Wallace, Boyce (Boice), Frisby, Howard, Gregg, Mallady (Malady), Adair, Vaughn, Ferrington, McGahee, Hay, Mathis, Page, Rowell and Green....To only name a few..