Unique Reflections Genealogy

It has been nearly a week since I posted anything on this blog. Life tends to grab you by the horns and drag you around shoving your face in the dirt from time to time. A busy week taking care of real life left me begging to please just give me some computer time; I must do Genealogy!

I did trace my Boyer step-grandfather back to Germany. He and his siblings only produced a small amount of offspring, Grandpa having none of his own, so connecting with Boyer cousins may not happen. 

The Munstenteigers are an entirely different story. Uncle Tiger, as we called him, was married to my step-Grandmother's twin sister. He is of no blood relation, but still a cherished member of our family. They produced no offspring of their own, but adopted two children born of the family. I inherited many photos and movie reels of the Munstenteigers and Boyers when my Mother passed away in 2011. I would like to find someone interested in these families who would like copies of these for their records. 

Last evening I jumped back into my son-in-law's tree as he has an aunt who has done some work and mailed him copies of the information she collected. I will be doing the data entry on her information and comparing to the information I have collected thus far. 

I am a stickler for supporting documentation rather than simply popping names into slots based on others information. If I am confident the information is correct, I will add it to my files and then begin the internet search for source records. Time consuming, but well worth it in the end to know you have made the correct connections and have not confused one family member with another or a cousin with the same name resulting in a completely flawed Genealogy record.

Mom and Dad did teach me well! Records, records, records!! Source it, source it, source it! Names mean nothing without proof so get busy finding it. Thanx, guys! You created my obsession, fed my obsession and now left me alone with my obsession! I know you are looking down and proud to see someone carrying on your knowledge. I love and miss you.

My family names I am working on are Munstenteiger and Boyer. Granted, these are not blood line relations, but they are still family to me. Boyer is my Grandmother's second husband and Munstenteiger was my great uncle. I have so many pictures left to me from my Mom of them that I just can't leave it alone, I have to learn more.

I started working on my son-in-laws family tree a few weeks ago. In the process, he has been bitten by the Genealogy bug. LOL He is enjoying the search and soon will be learning how to piece the puzzle together. Hopefully he will continue on and this will become a great hobby for him.

His family tree begins with the Wrights and the Millers, then spread into Phelps, Phillips and Swanson on his paternal side and Dennison, Brizendine and James on his maternal side. Most of his people thus far are in the North Carolina and Virginia areas, yet Spencer connected to one line tracing back to 16th century Ireland and Scotland! How very cool for him! 

I did a preliminary search for a friend while on the phone with her last week to find that the Pizzeria she visits in Rhode Island is the same property her grandfather lived on in the 1920's! I also found draft records and have a copy of his draft card! 

I have been working on my best friend, Rene's, tree for a few years and traced her grandfather's family from Italy to South America to the US and back to Italy. I haven't worked on her's in a bit, though. Once I get Spencer on track with his, maybe I will delve back into Rene's for a bit and see what I can find in Italy.

Started advertising today and have ordered business cards, as well. God willing I will receive a paying job soon....

Well, here I am; finally embarking on the one thing that will garner my attention and make me lose sleep knowing that lost puzzle piece is there, sitting right in front of me, I just have to turn it over. 
After doing my children's paternal side and multiple trees of friends, turning what I love to do into a source of income seems to be the next logical step. 
Join me as I continue the journey passed to me by my parents and help others to find their lost family and ancestors. 
The completion of self is the beginning of a new journey. Are you ready?