My sister and I started doing family research this past summer, as it was the first time in years we had been able to spend some serious time together. We started sifting through family pictures, stories and documents that our mother had collected over the years of her life. She had filled an old steamer trunk with these wonderful mysteries. Some had names, but no relation listed, some had "grandpa" or "grandma", but no names. Some had the portrait studio and town listed.

We discovered that we have a huge heritage in Michigan, where I happen to live. We grew up here, but never realized how many Michigan pioneers there were in our family. Needless to say, we are on a quest, with so many unanswered questions, and mysteries to solve. Every time one question is answered, we are so excited, and then we realize the answer comes with more questions.

We are basically following these families in MI.
John Milton Ball and Sarah Barton Ball (Dansville and Parma)
Rev. David O. Ball and AJ Graham Ball
Albert G. Ball and Fannie Avery Ball (Lowell & Mason)
Homer W. Avery and Emeline Huggins Avery (Lowell).

If anyone has possible information or leads, I would love to hear from you.