My interest is limited to my direct-line ancestors (those whose existence ultimately led to mine), and a few friends, I want to insure they are remembered through this excellent online resource. My goals are to make certain that their actual graves are found, and that their Find-A-Grave memorials are complete with the most accurate and appropriate information and with fitting personal photos. I also want to get the information I have gathered over many years out in the public domain.

Though new as a contributor to Find A Grave, I have been doing personal genealogical research for over 30 years, with considerable success - - especially in unraveling mysteries that have long stumped others. While working in Washington, D.C. I was a registered Visiting Researcher at the National Archives and regularly used the resources of the Library of Congress, Daughters of the American Revolution and many other facilities. I have traveled about the country visiting (and sometimes repairing) grave sites of direct ancestors, researching in local and state facilities and connecting with distant relatives.

A great many of my ancestral lines have been in this land since Colonial times. The main lines I'm working on are:

Paternal: Smith, Hill, Kemper, Wooding, Harrell, Cunningham

Maternal: Stewart, Weaver, Allman, Wood/Wold, Kvamme, McFarland

For recreation and fitness I compete year round in open ocean outrigger canoe racing off of the coast of southern California.