So much has happened

Stonehenge 2018

In April of 2018 I visited England. I spent most of my two weeks in Cornwall with Paul, my son-in-law's father. We've become good friends and he's visited us 4 times, already. He showed me all around Cornwall and then to London for two days. I saw places I'd only dreamed of and hope that someday I'll go back. I need to go to Liverpool, the place of my people. I've gotten Paul interested in genealogy and he's made some wonderful discoveries in the past two years. He's met close relatives that he didn't even know existed. Its very gratifying to help, in some small way, to reunite families. 

I've spend the past year and a half volunteering at the local Family History Center on Thursday evenings. I'm able to help folks with their research in a one-on-one environment. I find this both fulfilling and educational for me. I'm learning, even as I teach. 

I belong to the Western Montana Genealogy Society and have attended several state conferences. My goodness, what a wealth of information there is at any one of the conferences. I've had the pleasure of listening to some of the finest minds in genealogy, share their wisdom with us. 

I've had great success with DNA testing. I've been able to connect with distant relatives and even very close, previously unknown relatives. The biggest discovery is a 1/2 aunt on my paternal line. She was adopted and didn't know her family history. We've connected on facebook and I find myself wanting to meet her in person. She lives in FL, so not sure if/when a meeting will happen but I've opened my door to her, if she can find her way here. I had Mom, Dad, Thom and Paul take DNA tests. Mom's test results have helped me narrow down my maternal matches. Dad's results have been no surprise but its been fun to add people to his line of the tree. Thom, poor Thom. It seems that DNA is not a thing among the Asian populations yet. He was on match that is a 4-6 cousin. He as lots of very distant matches but none that offer any insight into his line of the tree, YET. I have faith that the day will come. Paul's DNA has led to many new relatives, as I mentioned, and he's met one in person already. Such a joy, for me to see.

So the search continues and I find myself more and more in love with the process.