I have always been intrigued by my own family history, but it was in 1988 when a homework assignment ignited the fire for my passion with genealogy. I am drawn to my ancestors who have stories that need to be told. Once I began unraveling surname mysteries I couldn't stop. That love for my own history inspired me to help others research their personal family history as well. I then became known as "AnGeneNee the GenealoGenie". Today, not only do I continue with my own personal research, I still assist others, as well as collaborate professionally and I now include forensic genealogy with the addition of DNA analysis to my research. This journey has been nothing short of a magic carpet ride back in time.
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The Beginning |
Now |
As a young child, I sat at a table gathered with my siblings and my first cousins. We somehow became engaged in a conversation on our ethnicity. One-by-one, we went around the table and each of us had a different description of what we thought we were. One cousin said "mixed" and I asked "mixed with what?" She couldn't answer and neither could we. After that day, I asked each parent and grandparent what ethnicity they were and like with us kids, I got varying answers. That sparked curiosity in me, which quickly developed into a need know who came from and ultimately led to my studies on race, culture and religion in college.
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After spending most of my life engaging in family history, lineage and cultural research, I am compelled to honor my ancestors and tell their stories. Discovering who I am and who my ancestors were, has been a profound and rewarding experience.
Genealogy research is an unending journey; uncovering mysteries and meeting phenomenal people along the way. It has provided fulfilling opportunities as well. Today, I am fortunate to serve as the Western Region Membership Chair for MCCHPS; the Mobile Creole Cultural and Historical Preservation Society. www.mobilecreolesociety.weebly.com |
Where do you come from? Where did your ancestors come from? Who were they and what where were their struggles and triumphs? What are their stories? Who do you think you are? Your answers may surprise you.
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