Anna
- Member for
- 3 years 9 months 26 days
- Find a Grave ID
Bio
People around me always said I was born under a cabbage leaf. Sure I had a Mother and a father but with the exception of one very beloved cousin that was about it for my family. I did have a rather large "Northern Family" but I was not close with them. I knew I had a "Southern Family" but other than a few Aunts & Uncles met here and there when I was young again that was about it.
After both of my parents died I took a DNA test and decided to learn about my family after all no one truly comes from under a cabbage leaf. I have learned that my "Northern Family" comes from a hardy stock of people. They came to America and settled in Minnesota before it was even a state. My Great Grandfather, who was a farmer, helped to build roads, raise barns and keep the law for his neighbors. I also learned that my Great Grandparents were the first marriage preformed in the county they lived in.
My Grand Father grew up in Philadelphia. His mother died when he was young of the flu & he and his siblings were split up amongst family members. I remember Grandpa Frank talking about wanting to find all his siblings when he was an adult. Family was very important to him and I guess I never understood the gravity of what happen to him until I started searching for his family. Good news is both Grandpa Frank and I found his family. Grandpa was able to take a trip back to Philadelphia to have a reunion with his siblings, that must have been one of his top ten days.
As for my "Southern Family", this family really surprised me! They are from the Colony of Virginia, Jamestown to be exact. What a rich family legacy they have left me. I have had a Grandfather fight in every war - Revolutionary, 1812, Civil (Confederate side of course) WWI & WWII. I've also had Uncles in the Korean War & my Father in the Vietnam War.
They came over from England as "Planters," they were farmers of tobacco and kept slaves. It has taken me a long time to come to some sort of acceptance about my family owning slaves. I think it's wrong and I apologize for my ancestors.
After the Civil war they lost their plantations when the Northern Army came through and burned everything to the ground. My family had to start over as poor people farming without the slave labor they once had.
Through learning about my fathers family I have been able to connect with many cousins and I finally can say I have a family. It's been such a joy and a blessing getting to know them and their families.
So there is my story, I hope your story is as richly blessed as mine has been. If I have a one of your family members let me know I will transfer them to you. I'm also not afraid to make any corrections because I know that I am often wrong. Keep searching and most of all be kind - Anna
People around me always said I was born under a cabbage leaf. Sure I had a Mother and a father but with the exception of one very beloved cousin that was about it for my family. I did have a rather large "Northern Family" but I was not close with them. I knew I had a "Southern Family" but other than a few Aunts & Uncles met here and there when I was young again that was about it.
After both of my parents died I took a DNA test and decided to learn about my family after all no one truly comes from under a cabbage leaf. I have learned that my "Northern Family" comes from a hardy stock of people. They came to America and settled in Minnesota before it was even a state. My Great Grandfather, who was a farmer, helped to build roads, raise barns and keep the law for his neighbors. I also learned that my Great Grandparents were the first marriage preformed in the county they lived in.
My Grand Father grew up in Philadelphia. His mother died when he was young of the flu & he and his siblings were split up amongst family members. I remember Grandpa Frank talking about wanting to find all his siblings when he was an adult. Family was very important to him and I guess I never understood the gravity of what happen to him until I started searching for his family. Good news is both Grandpa Frank and I found his family. Grandpa was able to take a trip back to Philadelphia to have a reunion with his siblings, that must have been one of his top ten days.
As for my "Southern Family", this family really surprised me! They are from the Colony of Virginia, Jamestown to be exact. What a rich family legacy they have left me. I have had a Grandfather fight in every war - Revolutionary, 1812, Civil (Confederate side of course) WWI & WWII. I've also had Uncles in the Korean War & my Father in the Vietnam War.
They came over from England as "Planters," they were farmers of tobacco and kept slaves. It has taken me a long time to come to some sort of acceptance about my family owning slaves. I think it's wrong and I apologize for my ancestors.
After the Civil war they lost their plantations when the Northern Army came through and burned everything to the ground. My family had to start over as poor people farming without the slave labor they once had.
Through learning about my fathers family I have been able to connect with many cousins and I finally can say I have a family. It's been such a joy and a blessing getting to know them and their families.
So there is my story, I hope your story is as richly blessed as mine has been. If I have a one of your family members let me know I will transfer them to you. I'm also not afraid to make any corrections because I know that I am often wrong. Keep searching and most of all be kind - Anna
