Out of Obscurity

After co-writing the biography of my Irish great-great grandmother, I am now writing the biographies of all four of my maternal great-great grandmothers. They were all born in English-speaking countries – the U.S., Canada, Ireland – in the years 1844 – 1863. As these women’s individual biographies unfold, collective insights – in addition to the … More Writing biographies of my great-great grandmothers: lessons

I’ve long known that one side of my family has notable longevity. A number of relatives on that side have lived into their 90’s and 100’s. The other side of my family……well, not so much. Years of genealogical research means that I now have ancestral data going back to the 1700’s. Using that data, I … More Genealogy: Ancestral longevity and income disparities

Remembrance Day is an important day to reflect on those who serve our country, past and present. Those of us who do genealogy remember our “relatives of yesteryear” all year long, including those ancestors who have done military service. Remembering ancestors who served in the military in previous centuries is as important as remembering more … More Remembrance Day: Remembering the military service of our ancestors

After I co-wrote the biography of my Irish great-great grandmother in 2016 (Harriet Susannah Ellis), I decided to keep going and write the biographies of all four maternal great-great grandmothers. The most specifically matrilineal of these four women – my mother’s mother’s mother’s mother – had a daughter – my matrilineal great-grandmother – who became … More Ancestors, desks, “someone else’s treasure”

After co-writing the biography of my Irish great-great grandmother (Harriet Susannah Ellis, 1863-1939), I am now writing the biographies of all four of my great-great grandmothers. One was born across Ireland, one was born in Canada, and two were born in U.S. – in the 1840’s – 1860’s. As I write about female ancestors, I … More Historical women, tailoring an ancestral connection

After co-writing the biography of my Irish great-great grandmother, I am now writing the biographies of all four of my great-great grandmothers. They were all born in English-speaking countries – the U.S., Canada, Ireland – during the 1840’s-1860’s. As these women’s individual biographies unfold, collective insights as well as the variety of individual experiences are … More Women of Yesteryear: Themes and Individual Experiences

In addition to writing the biographies of my four maternal great-great grandmothers, I have for some years been learning the “skills of yesteryear” that were routinely practiced in the generation of my maternal great-great grandmothers – growing food, making some of my own clothes, making patchwork comforters, making soap, the list goes on. I blog … More Genealogy, ancestors, skills of yesteryear

I, as a genealogist, co-wrote the biography of my Irish great-great grandmother, Harriet Susannah Ellis. Another book is currently underway – the biography of all four maternal great-great grandmothers (an Out of Obscurity book). An interesting point about these four families, discussed below, has emerged. My four maternal great-great grandmothers, shown in the photos above, … More Widows and widowers of yesteryear

Personal genealogy led me on a journey toward writing the biography of my Irish great-great grandmother, Harriet Susannah Ellis. This led to another book currently underway – the biography of all four maternal great-great grandmothers (an Out of Obscurity book). These four women – Harriet Susannah Ellis (born 1863 in Co. Sligo, Ireland), Amanda Empey … More Reflecting on Women of Yesteryear

I am an enthusiastic genealogist (Out of Obscurity Genealogy Services) and author of books about my “everyday women” ancestors such as my Irish great-great grandmother, Harriet Susannah Ellis, 1863 – 1939 . In addition, I realized several years ago that too many city dwellers have lost the self-reliance of our fore-mothers. Thus, I became a … More Genealogist learning skills of yesteryear’s women

I am fortunate to provide genealogy services professionally – it’s a topic I am passionate about and I am a skilled research professional. One of my favorite aspects of genealogy is historic photographs – particularly photos of people born prior to 1900. Photographs “bring history to light” in ways nothing else can. We see what … More Ancestry and Old Family Photographs

I write about my women ancestors – everyday women such as my Irish great-great Harriet Susannah Ellis, 1863 – 1939 . In addition to writing about women of yesteryear, it occurred to me several years ago that too many city dwellers have lost the self-reliance of our fore-mothers. Therefore, I became what I call a … More Learning from Women of Yesteryear: Making Products of Yesteryear