Howdy!

My Story

I have loved history for as long as I can remember, especially local history. I grew up in Colorado, and my mother's grandparents were some of the first white settlers in a part of Denver that is now quite urban. We used to drive down to the old homestead, and my great grandmother used to tell me all about what it was like when she lived there. I never really minded hearing the stories and looking at all of the old pictures at family reunions. My paternal grandmother was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and had a house full of antiques. She would also tell me about our ancestors through some of their items that had been handed down through the generations.  I didn't really get into proper genealogy until I was older, but I did love hearing the family stories. My favorite field trips were always the ones where we got to visit museums. I was always fascinated by the dioramas.

My love of cemeteries also comes from my youth. When I was eight we moved out of the city and into a rural area. There was an old pioneer cemetery about a  20 minute walk from the house, and I would go there quite often. The lady who owned the land where the cemetery was lived within view of the cemetery, and instead of shooing people away she would go out and talk with them, reminding them that the cemetery was a sacred place where respectful visitors were always welcome.  The book she wrote about the cemetery was filled with pictures and stories, and has been one of my favorite reads since I was about ten.

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Fast forward a few decades. I now live in Massachusetts and am a proud member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. I am the Revolutionary War graves chair for my chapter, and a member of the board for the Friends of Hope Cemetery in Worcester, MA.

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During the day I work as a public school paraeducator, but I always make time to visit cemeteries and learn about history.