23 and Me-Genealogy and Memoirs by Cher’ley

This post by Cher’ley Grogg

An 80-year-old couple was having problems remembering things, so they decided to go to their doctor, to get checked out to make sure nothing was wrong with them. When they arrived at the doctors, they explained to the doctor about the problems they were having with their memory. After checking the couple out, the doctor tells them that they were physically okay but might want to start writing things down and make notes to help them remember things. The couple thanked the doctor and left. Later that night while watching TV, the old man got up from his chair, and his wife asks, “Where are you going?” He replies, “To the kitchen.” She asks, “Will you get me a bowl of ice cream?” He replies, “Sure.” She then asks him, “Don’t you think you should write it down so you can remember it?” He says, “No, I can remember that.” She then says, “Well, I also would like some strawberries on top. You had better write that down cause I know you’ll forget that.” He says, “I can remember that you want a bowl of ice cream with strawberries.” She replies, “Well, I also would like whip cream on top. I know you will forget that so you better write it down.” With irritation in his voice, he says, “I don’t need to write that down, I can remember that.” He then fumes into the kitchen. After about 20 minutes, he returns from the kitchen and hands her a plate of bacon and eggs. She stares at the plate for a moment and says, “You forgot my toast.”

As we age, we contemplate more and more about our ancestors, and maybe even writing a Memoir. I love doing family history that maybe will make its way to a memoir someday.

How far back can you trace your family tree? I started doing genealogy about 20 years ago I worked hard at it for about six years and accumulated loads of information about my ancestors. Not long ago, I kept seeing these advertisements on TV about 23 and Me. My ears always perk up when I hear the words family tree or genealogy. So they were showing people who had connected to long lost relatives, and also people who would find out exactly where their ancestors came from and what percentage of each nationality you are. Ancestry really interested me. All I had to do was pay $108.00 and send in a DNA sample. So I did.

I am:

99.1 % European Mostly British & Irish, some Scandinavian (Viking)—A little French & German,

             And bit of Iberian (Spain, Portugal)

     9 % American Indian

_____

100%

 Viking female using the drop spindle

Growing up I was told I was mostly English and Indian, I guess I’m a little more English than Indian. I know I am a sub-tribe of the Shawnee. With names in my family like Dicken and Baker (English), Baker is also an Ohio Indian Surname (many English sounding names are also American Indian), Swan is Indian, Kibble is Scottish, Thress is German, Jakobson is Norwegian, Founds is Cornish from the “lost” medieval villages and hamlets and they spoke the Celtic language. I found a few tidbits here and there that were interesting. I love doing the research, but I don’t have much time to devote to it.

.Mên-an-Tol is an ancient lith site in Cornwall

 

 

She looks like my Great-grandma, except my Grandma didn’t like to wear glasses.

Charles Dickens at 18.

This page has links to Memoir Books to read: Types of Memoirs and Examples

Here are some types of Memoirs: 

• Family legacy
• Intersection with history or politics
• Nostalgia
• War
• Public or Celebrity Life
• Charity or Service
• Personal Struggle or Witness
• Social or Cultural Struggle or Witness
• Advice Based on Experience
• Coming of Age
• Rags to Riches
• Spiritual Journey
• Travel
• A Second Coming of Age
• Romance

I don’t believe we have any Memoirs Writers, but if you were going to write a Memoir, which one would it be? I think mine would be Nostalgia.

 

If anyone is going to do 23 and me, please let me know. If you use my name and number, I get credit. Thanks. And yes, I thought it was worth the money.

Cher’ley’s Books are listed below and on sale at Amazon and local bookstores. And she has a new one that is freshly published with 11 other authors. 

Stamp Out Murder”.

 “The Secret in Grandma’s Trunk” This is an especially good book for your Tween Children and Grandchildren

The Journey Back-One Joy at a Time and the B&W Edition of The Journey Back

Boys Will Be Boys   The Joys and Terrors of Raising Boys-An Anthology

 Cowboys, Creatures, and Calico 

And please join me on my Facebook Fanpage, that’s managed by one of my most faithful fans: Cindy Ferrell

Here’s a link to Cher’ley’s WEBSITE