My maternal ancestry began in the US, as many other NY natives did, in Massachusetts and Connecticut. Most seemed to have migrated west to the rural area of New York, particularly Cortland, Tompkins, Broome, and Tioga counties around 1800, some having received land grants from their service during the revolutionary war. Attributed to my many NY ancestors were the rigors of clearing the land, building homes, and establishing farms. Some became professionals, one a well-traveled naturalist, who was laid to rest in South America. But, most were hardy farmers.

I am the daughter of Rosemary Orton Brown, whose mother was Bertha Mildred Gleason (daughter of Mary Victoria Barnes and Albert Ezra Gleason) and whose father was Hiram Brown (son of John Brown and Amanda Orton).

Among the Brown, Gleason, Orton, Barnes surnames in my family tree, I can add Shevalier, Faulkner, Weygant, Burghardt, Wood, Abbey, Johnson, etc.

In 2024 I had the privilege of traveling with my husband to many of my ancestral graves in western Mass. and Connecticut, visiting places they were laid to rest and places they helped establish. I am forever grateful for their contributions and seek to remember every single one. And so, my quest continues!