Genealogy...my new focus

I've decided I don't like to use the word obsession...so I'm going to use the word focus for this email. I think it fits better and certainly sounds more mentally stable (whether I am or not is not up for discussion here, however, but at least I sound that way, right?).

As I've mentioned before, I jump around in what I focus on. Most recently it's been Spanish, reading and music. I guess I'm back on the genealogy track again.

It all started with a simple little email from a Suffolk county, New York list I'm on...the kind of email I often ignore. It mentioned a website for checking out some newspaper articles from the area for the 1830s to the 1960s. I just had to plug a few names in.

So, I have come up with some new leads...one says that John Henry Miller (my great-great grandfather) has a brother-in-law ex-commissioner of highways Henry B. Southard. My attempts to find out anything about Henry (like his wife's name so I know who John's sister is!!!)have been disappointing. But it's always fun to have a new lead.

Then I tracked Ezra Sammis's family only to realize that there had to have been 2 Ezra Sammises in the area and most of the info I found did not deal with my 4th great Uncle. Oh, well, that's the way it goes.

So, for the last several days I've been at the computer...and my kids aren't happy about me bumping them off. What a blessing computers and the internet are to family history work!

How long with this focus last? Until a new one comes along...however long that may be.

missions and stuff

Yesterday my nephew Adam spoke in Sacrament meeting. Did a fabulous job, too.

Today he left for Utah with his parents. Wednesday he'll enter the Missionary Training Center (MTC) and in a few short weeks he'll be sharing the gospel in the Lansing Michigan mission. Glen also served in Michigan (Dearborn mission which no longer exists)...his old mission and Adam's just share a few towns, but maybe Adam will get sent to Owosso and serve where Glen did. That would be cool.

Anyway, talked to Andrew today. Interrupted his calculus homework. But sounds like he's getting in plenty of social life, too, so don't feel too sorry for him. He's had an interview with his Bishop and is working on his mission papers. In just 6 1/2 weeks he'll be 19! So hard to believe. Really. Just mind-boggling. Can't wait to see what's ahead for him.

Twenty-five years ago I was in the MTC...had just completed my 1st week there. That's also mind-boggling. Of course, I've forgotten a lot of what it was like and what I did. But I do remember the nervousness of it all. It was an exciting time and full of great experiences. Glen and I hope to serve a mission together. I'm thinking it'll be less scary when you take your own companion with you.

Anyway, we'll be praying for Adam for the next 2 years, as we are already praying for another nephew, Danny, who is serving in the Joao Pessoa Brazil mission. Wonder where Andrew will go?