Special Thanks
Please understand that there is no way I can remember and call by name
all who have helped me along the way. But here are a few:
I've met lots of folks along the way who have been very generous and helpful in my genealogical endeavor. There is no way I can remember all who have been so gracious to help along the way, nor the value of their gift. But I will mention a few, and send along this special bouquet as a way of thanks.
To my family - to Jeff - who has been a great encouragement, and even took me on a genealogy trip, and sits by himself sometimes while I compute. To Kendra - who helps me look through books and census records. She is the best source at finding tombstones! To Joshua - who has been after me to somehow display my pictures. To Laura -she is always encouraging, and has also gone to the National Archives to look through records. To Jess & Tana - just for being cute little rotten kids and keeping "Grandma's" heart softened.
To Aric - who has helped with computer stuff. He rolls his eyes when I talk genealogy, but knows he has to listen anyway. And of course, mama and daddy have supplied lots of information. I get a wild idea and call daddy and get him busy thinking and looking for stuff.
Aunt Evelyn has been a wealth of information. She gives bits and pieces - and supplies the part that has been missing from the puzzle.
Cousin
Jon told me how to fix my pictures so they'd load quicker.
Aunt Ellen & Cousin Scottie have provided a great foundation on the Brannin & Ward lines. Their years of work have greatly shortened my research time They have been a great inspiration and their love of telling and hearing a family story is infectious.
Brother David has helped me get started with various things. He helped me first get my computer going and got things loaded when I didn't have a clue (which I still don't). He told me to get a domain name - so I did.
Many family members have supplied bits of information that has been most helpful in leads, or in adding to the database.
Anita has been a great inspiration. She helped me get started with the genealogy on the internet. She listens when I find a new mystery, or fit a piece into the puzzle.
Now for folks I've met online:
Fred (Fritz) Knapp - When I first got started a couple of years ago, he was very gracious to share information. He sends along genealogy tips and great sites to check out. So he is still encouraging me to continue on in my search.
I met the Davis guys - Ervin & Ray. They helped fill in part of the Brannin family that we thought was missing and even sent along some pictures.
Don Wilt - a fellow researcher of the Barr, Edwards, Chevalier, etc. families. He's a real trooper and is always uncovering something new.
Mary Brewer - she's been a wealth of information on the Brewer family. I first ran across her posting on the LDS site. Her information led me to search out a connection between Allen Thomas Brewer and Thomas William Brewer. Then it all connected and I had several generations of Brewers come to light.
Ann Basinger - she sent along information from her Brewer father.
John West - provided information on the Dijkhuizen/Dykhuizen families and sent along a diary and some great historical information.
Sharon Moore - she's been a jewel. She's helped fill in information on Brewer, Ethell, Osborn, Kennison, etc. She even looked up information for me at the Archives in Washington.
Donna Dyrdahl - she's been a great encouragement. She's my listening ear - my sounding board. I'll ask her what she thinks about my theories, and she encourages me to pursue them.
Some Knapp connections - Shirley, Eldora, Karen and Panchita have provided support.
Hazel Borgnis was a great help with Brewers and Osborns!
Norma Byrnes submitted a group sheet in Lambton Co., Ontario, that gave me a lead on the Main/Aldridge/Cornell connection. From there I've been in contact with Ginny
& Laryssa who gave me the information I needed to connect the Main family to the Aldridge family in Ontario.
Al Davis provided the connection I needed to link Cyrenius McNeil with his family.
Brenda Willging sent information on the Schipma family.
Then of course, there are those who volunteer their time to post obituaries and other information that has been vital to my research. I recently came across an obituary that I think will bring closure to one of the great family mysteries. There are also county historians, court house employees, librarians, etc. who are continually helping out with the genealogy endeavors of many. My thanks to them as well!