This is a great thread. I have only begun to do some research on my family history. We do have documentation available from my Grandfather. He has done extensive research, and as I have grown older (30 now), I have developed an interest in these things.
I have had the blessing of knowing my great grandparents on my grandmothers side most of my life. They have passed in just the last few years. Both sets of grandparents are still alive and I see them often. This is great because my wife only has her parents, and has not had grandparents around since she was young. Before my great grandfather passed at the age of 99 (in 2001), I sat down with him and he told me about his entire life. He was born in 1902. He told me about his schooling and career, building highways around the state of Texas. He told me of his love for politics and the days of Herbert Hoover. He told me about the depression. Pappy and Granny were amazing people, and I miss them dearly.
I am planning to sit down with both sets of grandparents and have this same conversation, but this time video it. Thanks for the inspiration to do it MacDawg. My grandfather on my Mom's side just turned 90. We had a huge party, and he and some of his younger brothers played their guitars and sang. It was great. His Dad died when he was 19 years old, and being the oldest, he helped his mother raise his 12 younger siblings.
Also, another thing I thought was pretty neat was the fact that I have researched extensively throughout my family to look for any divorces. I have not been able to find any in mine or my wife's direct lines. I was able to count at least 361 years of marriage, but want to research it more in depth. I do count it as a blessing, and know that that doesn't always happen.
Anyway, thanks for the thread, and motivation. And thank you for sharing these treasures with us, I am excited to see what I will uncover in my quest.
(sorry this post is a couple of months late, but I just read through it.)
