Technically, the sister of one of your grandparents is your grand-aunt. “Grand” shows that it is one generation away; “great” is supposed to be added to generations beyond “grand.” But like so many other words in the English language, there’s the dictionary definition and then there’s how it’s commonly used.

Reverend Adam Boyd’s, (b1650 Scotland), son Robert Boyd (b1678 Ulster), died in Chester County, PA. Robert’s son George (b1691 Ulster) died in Pennsylvania, his son Patrick Harrison Boyd (b1711 County Antrim) died in Virginia, was the GGGGGrandfather of William Lawrence Boyd, (b 6-6-1894 Cambridge, Ohio) lists himself on his WW1 draft registration in 1917 as “farmer”. In 1918,…

Audie Leon Murphy (20 June 1925 – 28 May 1971) was one of the most decorated American combat soldiers of World War II, receiving every military combat award for valor available from the U.S. Army, as well as French and Belgian…

Where does the surname Wayne come from? Isaac Wayne was born in County Wicklow, Ireland in 1699 to Captain Anthony Wayne, veteran of the Battle of the Boyne. Isaac married Elizabeth Iddings of Philadelphia and had four children: one of whom was Brigadier General Anthony “Mad” Wayne…

The terms “first cousin once removed” and “second cousin” are often confused. When the term “removed” is used, it indicates that the two people are from different generations.  Second cousins have the same great grandparents but not the same grandparents.…

Your ancestors who immigrated to the United States filled out form SS-5 for their social security card. They were required to put full place of birth – not just country. They were also required to put the mother’s maiden name. Look for a social security number on…

Orphan trains were a social experiment which transported the unwanted child and street kids from New York City, Boston, Chicago, and other crowded Northeastern cities to the Midwest U.S. for adoption. The genealogy of many of these 200,000 orphaned and abandoned kids who were moved…

To be born on a Sunday was considered a sign of great sin during Puritan times; a “Sunday Baby” in the southern U.S. is an illegitimate child.

Want to know the day of the week you were born?  www.onlineconversion.com/dayborn.htm

While searching for your “ancient” roots, remember to write your own story. If you are not good with the written word, tape your story – record on your computer.  Start at the beginning of your youth, your relationship with your parents and siblings, where you went to grammar…