I've always been interested in family stories. As a child, I remember sitting at my grandmother's feet, hearing stories about their hard times in the depression, about her mother and 2 sisters (family name May) who married 3 brothers (family name DeMuth). My other grandmother had photo books that I would pore over whenever we visited.

I've been researching both sides of my genealogy for more than 20 years. I tend to focus more on my maternal line, as I have an uncle on my paternal side who is more expert than I am.

Both sides of the family are centered in southwest Wisconsin and northern Iowa since the mid-1800s. Names: Ginsterblum, DeMuth, Reding, May, Carroll, Hayden, Hoffman, and more.

I do most of my research online, although I don't like to pay for subscriptions. History should be free, so I'm happy to find this unique group whose members share information freely. I look forward to learning and helping others find their histories.

I've recently started looking into my husband's family. They are centered in Iowa. Names Hein, Lanning, McQuown, Evans, and more.