I've been working on my various family trees since 1987 after my mother's cousin, Aline Christal, brought by a copy of the Christal Family Tree that she had done. I was amazed at all she had accomplished, going back to the 1700's. A few of the newer generations, including me, and later generations needed to be added and I appointed myself to collect the data. By the time I had contacted all of my aunts, uncles, & cousins I had enough to fill a book myself. This lead to a never-ending quest for more, more, more! Once I had a good amount of Christal information I needed to do the Cleere, Thatcher, and so on. I have become completely wrapped up in the thrill of the chase.
Partly thanks to my husband, Don, for letting me use "his" computer for so long a time (he finally built one for my very own), I have been able to organize my various families. First with Family Ties (DOS) then onto Family Tree Maker (DOS). When Don and I progressed to Windows format, I later got the Windows 3.0 version of FTM, then many updates. Now with the CD format and more updates, I'm finally up-to-date with the latest version--9.0. Of course, there will be more updates and I will once again get "behind". Unfortunately, I have yet to make a GEDCOM. Now that I've gotten some info on Don's lines, he's a little more interested. Matter of fact, he has even helped me go cemetery hunting on a few occasions.
Over the years I have found many "new" relatives and distant relatives who have been working on various branches of the ol' tree, we've been able to acomplish a lot and I feel I have found some really good friends.
Here's a few pics:
(Click on photo to view full size)
This is the youngest granddaugther--Tatem.
First day of Pre-K.