I initially became interested in genealogy when my grandmother, Susan Donohue Bell, passed away in 1999. She became an orphan at ten years of age and we didn’t know that much about her family. So I started searching and I really enjoyed uncovering the information – it was a bit like being a detective! I discovered that I was not descended from “kings” but rather from people who had hard and sometimes tragic lives. I was proud of them and found myself feeling for them and their tribulations. After spending so much time researching their lives, I really felt like I knew them.
Later, a cousin did quite a bit of research on another side of my family. She did a wonderful job documenting the family but there were several mysteries that she wasn’t able to solve. With her blessing, I started researching these dead-ends and I was able to trace the family back a couple more generations! I was also able to track down what happened to several family members who had mysteriously “disappeared”. It was very exciting to uncover new information. Most importantly, starting with my family and later helping others with their family research, I have learned about search techniques and the resources available.
I would be pleased to assist you with your family research. I can save you time and frustration and make it a rewarding experience!
