Seeking Susie

It’s been one year to the day since I started this blog and made my first post.

Wowza, what a journey it has been!

To celebrate, my niece Alix got me this wonderful cake, wasn’t that sweet of her? Don’t worry, you will get to celebrate too if you stick around and read this post all the way through.

But first, I would like to share with you some statistics from my site.

I know that 9,402 views isn’t that much compared to most blogs, but I never dreamed that many people would take the time to look at a blog about my family and their stories.

On a more personal level, these are some other accomplishments that have happened because of this blog.  I have connected with 32 cousins, identified 7 photos just from posting them on my “Find Me Friday” posts as unidentified photos, I have connected 6 photos with a member of their family, and I have made friends with several other family historians who never cease to amaze me in what they are willing to do to help a Newbie out, especially when it was of no benefit whatsoever for them to do so, and here’s the best part; only one rude email received. (You know who you are!) Not bad, eh??

I can’t imagine what the next year will bring, the discoveries that will be made, the cousins that I’ll find, or the relationships that will be forged.  I just can’t imagine it topping this past year.  However, I don’t doubt for one moment that it will top this year and this time next year I’ll be back bragging about all the new cousins that I have found.

I know for me that this journey has changed me in many ways.  Finding my ancestors and learning about their lives seemed to put mine in perspective.  Every time I discovered a new ancestor or relative, it was like I was filling in the pieces of my soul and for the first time I had a better understanding of who I was.  Not only who I was, but where I came from.

And, not to brag or anything, but my tree is full of good people.  Ok, maybe I will brag a little but I’m proud to claim every one of my ancestors that I have discovered.  They make me, well…. me.

I thank you from the bottom of my heart for taking this journey with me.  I couldn’t have done this without the support of each, and every one of you.  To show my appreciation, I’m going to be giving away some super prizes.  I know you are just itching to get your hands on them!

My grand prize winner will receive:

That’s right folks, the kind people at Fold3.com have sponsored this giveaway and are giving one of my lucky blog followers a one year paid membership.  Pretty Awesome if you ask me!

My second place prize winner will receive the book “Redbook: American State, County & Town Sources, Third Edition.  No genealogist or family historian should be without this book.

My third place prize winner will receive a $25 gift certificate to Shutterfly.com where you can make your very own keepsake of your memories.

To enter the drawing, simply respond below in the comment section of this post to the question listed below and you will be entered.  Please only one comment, and you have until midnight on August 18th to enter.  Winners will be selected randomly, and announced on Sunday Evening, August 19th.

Good luck, and here is the question:

If you could travel back in time to meet one of your ancestors, who would it be and why?