Category Archives: ancestry

By the Numbers: Counting the Ancestors

Posted on March 13, 2016 by maryjlohr

So how many direct ancestors do I have? It seems the answer would be an almost indeterminate number stretching back thousands of year. A more practical question is, how many ancestors have I correctly identified? Let’s take a look at … Continue reading →

Posted in ancestry, Genealogy, Nipp Genealogy, Research, Schaefers Genealogy | Tagged | 3 Comments

Boss, Nipp, Naescher, or Schaefers Relatives?

Posted on April 30, 2015 by maryjlohr

If you are researching descendants of Alois Nipp and Johanna Boss, John and Josephine Naescher, William Naescher and Caroline Nipp, Franciscus (Franz) Schaefers and Helena Leiffel, or John Schaefers and Caroline Nipp, then you may be interested in a Facebook … Continue reading →

Posted in ancestry, Boss genealogy, Facebook, Naescher Genealogy, Nipp Genealogy, Schaefers Genealogy | Leave a comment

“I Recognize Those Names”

Posted on July 6, 2014 by maryjlohr

Keeping an open mind–and being prepared for finding answers in unexpected places–is a familiar adage to experienced genealogy researchers.  I saw an example of this in a recent day-long workshop that our local genealogy society presented. During the last session … Continue reading →

Posted in ancestry, Iowa | 2 Comments

Two Serendipity Events

Posted on June 24, 2014 by maryjlohr

What person doesn’t enjoy a pleasant surprise? As a genealogy researcher, I love that “a-ha” moment of discovery, sometimes celebrated with what is known as the “genealogy happy dance.” Recently, there have been two very pleasant such events in my … Continue reading →

Posted in ancestry, Genealogy, Humor, Schwans Genealogy, Story County Iowa | 2 Comments

An Act of Gratitude

Posted on January 6, 2014 by maryjlohr

This beautiful wall hanging was given to me by a very kind woman whose ancestry I had researched a few years ago.  It has found a home in our dining area and is proudly displayed.  To me it speaks from … Continue reading →

Posted in ancestry, Genealogy, Memories, Research | 2 Comments

Touring Etna Township, Hardin County, Iowa: Learning About the Early Ostfriesen Settlers

Posted on September 16, 2013 by maryjlohr

The Steamboat Rock Historical Society and the Ackley Heritage Center recently sponsored the third tour of ghost towns in Hardin County, Iowa.  Some of my roots go back to that area as my grandmother, Jeanette Sievers, was born in 1875 … Continue reading →

Posted in ancestry, German Ancestry, Iowa, Ostfriesen Ancestry and Culture | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

How Having a Birthday Helped Find My 7th Great-Grandparents

Posted on June 27, 2013 by maryjlohr

Adding another birthday candle to mark the number of years is an honored tradition.  Mine hasn’t quite reached the point where we need to put the local fire department on standby alert <yet.>  Besides, I prefer to think of celebrating … Continue reading →

Posted in ancestry, German Ancestry, Schwans Genealogy | Leave a comment

Having More Fun With Genealogy–

Posted on June 1, 2013 by maryjlohr

If I were to give a beginning genealogist a suggestion, it would be “find a genealogy cousin.” That is, someone with whom you connect, share a possible common ancestor, and with whom you can have fun. In my case, I’ve … Continue reading →

Posted in ancestry, Genealogy, Iowa, Ostfriesen Ancestry and Culture, Research, Schwans Genealogy | Tagged | 2 Comments

A Look Back at 2012

Posted on December 31, 2012 by maryjlohr

2012 was a great year for genealogy and me.  Among the highlights: * Researching the ancestry of my son-in-law’s grandmother and finding many relatives and ancestors she did not know she had.  And then finding out how much this meant … Continue reading →

Posted in ancestry, Genealogy, Iowa, Research, Story County Iowa | 5 Comments

This Is Why I Do Genealogy Research

Posted on July 5, 2012 by maryjlohr

In my 50 plus years of doing genealogy research a few moments stand out as completely unanticipated.  Such was the case when I was asked to research the ancestry of my son-in-law’s grandmother, Jacqueline.  It was to be presented to … Continue reading →

Posted in ancestry, Genealogy, Research, Story County Iowa | Tagged | 5 Comments