It took me over a quarter of a century to complete the work on the two family genealogies [Bud's and mine]. It begins from the 1600's in Ireland and Germany. I tell you, ancestry is very addictive, and so worth the efforts of lots of years mailing off and inquiring history data in foreign countries that still have records available. Then, there is word of mouth from relatives [ones still alive back then when I began]. I learned so much. It was worth every minute, hour, year, I did research. And the cost of postage, etc. was phenomenal. Finally after years and years of printed records and copies of this and that, I thought I was ready to publish a book. In 2011 I did, and it contains over 300 pages. I gave my work a title "Inherited Lineage".
I'll begin with the opening page; what I wrote as an introduction. My dedication page:
"those still living, I omitted names"
I, [my name], the composer and author of this family reunion remember my mother, years past, telling me briefly when I was a young child of age five or six, that when born, I was named after her sister [my middle name - suggested by Bette Hatch - my mom's youngest sister "How about Ann?" Nothing registered in my mind at such a young age. I thought it was nice to be named after someone, but was really disinterested. Then, when coming upon this article that Marjorie Moyer [my mother's sister-in-law] sent to me within a letter years ago, I realized this is the sister mom talked of and Marjorie thought I'd like to have the name history in my possession. Also, a note here about my mother, again it didn't come to me at the time, but does now...[husband's name], my husband, nicknamed me endearingly, Annie -going by my middle name. When my mother first heard [husband's name] call for me by the name "Annie" she smiled broadly and was very pleased with him. Of course I do think [husband's name] was a favorite son-in-law at the time. [insert laugh here {husband's name} was her ONLY son-in-law at the time.]
So, today as I get this book ready for publishing, I now realize why my mother was so broadly smiling at [husband's name] calling me Annie; I can still see her smile at that given moment. And the nickname has stuck with me through the years...[husband's name] still calls me Annie. I'd like to imagine my mom is still pleased; I'm sure...and I'd like to think that Annie knows me now with mom's guidance, and likes me as her namesake. Also noted was the date of the death - - April 1911. That meant that my grandmother, Florence Mae, while trying to save Annie with her husband Henry...she was pregnant. My mother was born July 1911, three months after Annie perished from burns. And so, I'd like to dedicate this book to my mother, Edith Irene, and send greetings to Annie Moyer.
Also from book:
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