Thread by @FamilySleuther

I was 11 when #MyGenealogyStory began. My teacher asked the class to map out our family trees. I was clueless. My aunt, an avid family historian, came to my rescue. 1/5

https://twitter.com/danielgenealogy/status/1476638721755828225

She shipped me a tube containing a tightly rolled pedigree chart. Like a treasure map to the past, I excitedly unfurled the scroll (printed on dot matrix paper with perforated edging). Covering the dining room table, it contained peculiar names like Burr Zelah and Waitstill. 2/5

I followed the names from one generation to the next. The 1900s gave way to the 1800s. Most lines stopped by the 1700s but a few went to the 1600s and a couple names even toe tapped into the 1500s! 3/5

I was captivated by the names that made up my history. But nearly all those names were on my maternal line. Only my dad’s parents were included. His tree was barren, refusing to give up its secrets. Not knowing how to research, I set it aside for decades. 4/5

Curiosity finally got the better of me 10+ years ago. Digging into dad’s ancestors and learning as I went, I uncovered a case of misattributed paternal identity and a juicy family secret. Lots of detective work later, I pieced together the truth and uncovered my paternal line 5/5