About Me

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I first started researching my family tree in 2003 before a family reunion.  I struck success on my first search (back then it was WebCrawler).  At the time, I didn’t know what it would turn into.  But I’m glad I continued.  I’ve fleshed out my own family tree and returned forgotten names to their rightful place in the family tree, learned more about my ancestors and why they should not be forgotten. Over the past 20 years, I’ve assisted friends with their research, and they encouraged me to follow my dream of helping others do the same thing. 

Memberships:

Association of Professional Genealogists

National Genealogical Society 

Livermore Heritage Guild

Livermore-Amador Genealogical Society

Chandler Family Association

Surry County Genealogy Association

My family has a willow tree in the backyard, so it’s always been my favorite tree. My home is the first house my Dad sold as a real estate agent.  The original homeowners sold it to a family from out-of-state, but the new family was uncertain if they would stay.  My Dad agreed to purchase the house if they left, which they did after one year. 

The willow tree was part of the original landscaping.  The average lifespan of a willow is 30 to 50 years.  Our willow lived to be 57.  A windstorm cracked one of the major branches in 2012 which was cut to prevent it from falling on the house.  That day, I planted a cutting in some dirt in a pot.  The following winter, the trunk was hollow, necessitating the removal of the whole tree and I planted a second cutting.  I nursed the cuttings indoors through a few winters, up potting them until they were strong enough to be planted in the ground.  Today, that first cutting is larger than the parent tree was. My logo is an AI modified picture of our original willow tree.

Willow Trees, particularly weeping willows, are used on gravestones as the tree symbolizes both mourning and remembrance. But willow trees also have other meanings, making them a perfect correlation for genealogy and family history. They symbolize healing as our ancestors used them as an early form of aspirin. They represent wisdom--think Grandmother Willow from Disney’s Pocahontas. Their flexible branches embody the adaptability and resilience of our ancestors who survived and thrived in harsh conditions. They take root, grow quickly, live long lives just like families, generation after generation. Coincidentally, the willow tree is also my birth tree in the Celtic zodiac.

My Dad’s family has Cherokee ancestry. The Cherokees used a particular variety of willow called the prairie willow for dental hygiene and the black willow for other medical purposes.

Follow me on Pinterest for images and quotations about willow trees.

I love to read and to combine my interests. I’m assembling a List of Genealogy Themed Books. The List is surprisingly extensive given the narrow focus. While primarily mysteries, The List includes fiction, historical fiction, memoirs, children’s stories, and even a few fantasies. I haven’t read them all yet and a few of them have turned out not to be genealogy themed at all but still very good books. Some of them take place pre-internet which increases my appreciation for how family tree researchers used to work.

Here are some authors I’ve enjoyed that you might want to check out: 

Rett MacPherson

S.C. Perkins

Brynn Bonner

Jimmy Fox

Charlotte Hinger

Graham Landrum

G.G. Vandagriff

Erika Marin Steiger

Here are a few more that I haven’t yet read:

Nathan Dylan Goodwin

M.J. Lee

Patricia Houck Sprinkle

Follow me on Pinterest to see more of the assembled List of Genealogy Themed Books.  

Besides genealogy and reading, I also love to craft. For many years, instead of store-bought presents, my family receives handmade Christmas ornaments. Since 2008, I’ve included a genealogy, or at least photo themed, gift. Each year it’s harder to find new and unique ideas. So far, I’ve made:

Photo Cube

Photo Paper Chain

Wood Block Photo Puzzle

Family Tree Jigsaw Puzzle

Photo Coasters

Wood Letters Decoupaged with a Letter or Newspaper Article

Cookie Cutter with a Family Recipe

Wire Birthstone Heart

Paper Stars made from City Directories

Mini Book with Photos of Ancestors Homes and Home Quotes

Photo Flextangle

Globe Ornament with Pushpins

Birth, Marriage, and Death Cootie Catcher

Wood Circles Decoupaged with Immigrant Ships

Wood Triangles Decoupaged with Flags & Military Service

Wood Books Decoupaged with Ancestor’s Books

Library Checkout Card with Names and Death Dates of Ancestors

Follow me on Pinterest to see more genealogy themed craft ideas.

Crafts can inspire children to take an interest in their family history. So can coloring pages. They are fun and relaxing. AI is a tremendous source for creating genealogy and family themed coloring pages. Photos can be personalized coloring pages on both AI and in word processing programs by changing photos to “Photocopy” under “Artistic Effects” and adjusting color and transparency. Clipart and maps add context and the combination create unique gifts that children love. I’ve given my cousins’ children personalized coloring books and they enjoy seeing themselves but also relatives they’ve never met.

Here are some coloring pages I created on ChatGPT: 

Games are another way to encourage the family to bond over family history and share memories. Some games are readily available but AI and other programs can generate word searches and crossword puzzles. Ancestor Cards, similar to baseball trading cards, can be used as playing cards. Conversation starter games are another choice. Board games have not been historically successful commercially. I have fun playing the ones I found on eBay like Family Tree, Family Reunion: The Game, and the Game of Genealogy.

Here’s one to look at in Patent History: 

Follow me on Pinterest to see more games ideas.

Years ago, Ancestry.com had a Quote of the Day whenever I logged into the website. I discovered my favorite Shakespeare quote is “My heart is ever at your service” from Timon of Athens. Since then, I’ve collected quotes from both genealogy themed books as well as regular fiction that I find meaningful in one way or another.

Here are a few of my favorites:

Well, I feel like these people are real, now that we know something about them. 

~ G.G. Vandagriff, Poisoned Pedigree

Soon, she, like the others, would be hidden, and as generations passed, all but forgotten, except maybe her name.

~ Shirley Russak Wachtel, The Baker of Lost Memories

(At Willow Tree Genealogy, I hope you don’t forget your ancestors and will strive to help you remember them!)

Follow me on Pinterest to see more genealogy quotes.