How I did it: I built a family tree on Ancestry - had to pay for about 3 months but it was worth having access to their records. I used message boards, census records, BMD records, passenger lists, BHC records. There was so much yet so little. I have an inkling of how my great grandfather lived his life and so does my Grammie. She is so pleased!!!! It was 3 months of solid dedication to finding this information. I focused mostly on my gr. grandfather's life.

Lessons & tips: Don't give up! Some days you find nothing and some days you seem to hit the jackpot. And those are the days that make it worthwhile. That and the look on Grammie's face when presented with her book I made.

Resources: ancestry.ca, birmingham message board, my new cousin!

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Jan 01, 2011, 08:31PM PST | 0 comments | 3 cheers