ANCESTRY

Have you ever wondered about who your ancestors are? Have you ever tried to find out? Well, I've been working on mine. I found out, on my Dad's side, that our first Noland came all the way from Ireland and ended up on our shores, in Maryland, in 1686.

From there, we spread out, and moved southwestward. I've had family in wars, and family who worked in government. Family who had large families, and those who lost families. Some may have had slaves, and some who may have been slaves themselves. And maybe some who were on the other side of the law. Store owners, ship makers, innkeepers. . .  the list could go on.

On my mother's side, it goes back to England, then they came here, to Plymouth Rock, by way of the Mayflower. Just like my Dad's side, the list is long, and it is hard and interesting to try to find information on people in my family. I'm sure that they all come from different walks of life. Good and bad and whatever is in between.

It's history. It's my family history. It is also the history of our country. It is the lives, loves, tragedies, riches, and all else that make us who we are. It's what we stand for. Skeletons in the closet? Yes. And I'm looking to see what else the family history has to give.

If you can, look into your own family. See what you can find. I'm sure there are great family stories out there. I plan to write about some of them myself. You will also find some things about your own self as you go along. It's fun, it's very addicting once you get going. And the information that is out there and available to you is beyond mind boggling. Besides, you might even find that you have some famous people in your family.

I'm still looking for mine, but to me? They are all famous in my family.