What has been my Favorite Discovery? Ancestors in 52 Weeks

This year's challenge is 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks and is run by Amy Johnson Crow.

Information on the Topic
What is the neatest thing you've found while exploring your family's history? What makes you smile even now thinking about it?

 I would probably say the greatest thing I found when I started to research is just how many cousins I actually have out there. 

Growing up I only had my father's brother's 2 sons as cousins, but even then we were like ships in the night. I knew they were there, what their names were, but not much else was said about them unless is was by my paternal grandmother which was always pointing out something they were doing - cub scouts, baseball, diving, etc. 

I don't think she ever knew everything I was up to - selling the most girl scout cookies, walking in parades for the girl scouts and the numerous bike and running events I was in to raise money for other kids. I was always up to something. In fact, my mother at one point refused to take me any longer to them, so I was riding my bike to the event, entering it, and then participating in it. Then afterwards, I'd get back on the bike and ride all the way home. I did this until I was about 14 or 15 when I really hurt my back, knee and ankles. Yep, I was a mess! 

Anyhow, after my paternal grandmother passed, I really had no information as to how to even contact my uncle or cousins, so I had to let it go. Besides I got busy doing all the normal things of teenagers. 

In fact, I graduated and got married within this time. After I got married in 1997, I started to do genealogy and started to research a bit of the family which was nice, but it was hard to do this among life.

Then I found out in 2002 what their phone number was and called it. We went over to visit with my aunt and uncle for a few hours which was great to catch up again and introduce them to my husband. Who would have thought within months my uncle would pass away and I would get to see my aunt and cousins again? 

Credit: H. Schmitz. Myself with my hubby, my cousins from Germany, the US and my siblings

Anyhow, we went to the services, and caught up with other family as well. It wasn't until a few years later I started to really dig into the family history stuff and in about 2-3 years I started to find some family. I found my mother's nephew Jason, a cousin, and then his family. Then from there I set up facebook group pages for each of my researched families and then more and more cousins started to find me. Now, I've been so busy with everyday stuff, that I haven't been able to do more research, but more cousins are finding me! 

To me, that is so cool. I never imagined that I would have so many cousins from all around the world and doing so many great things out there! 

Here're just some of them: 

Looking near and far never felt sooo good. Its good to finally meet you my cousins! 

Cousins to grow up with and new ones - Ancestors in 52 Weeks

This year's challenge is 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks and is run by Amy Johnson Crow.

Topic Info:
Cousins can make our family history more interesting. Whether it's the family stories you share with your close cousins at holiday gatherings or the research you share with the more distant cousins, you shouldn't overlook the impact that cousins make. This week, write something about one of these important people. Maybe it's a favorite memory with a cousin or a research breakthrough you made thanks to one.

My family hasn't been the closest even with my siblings. At times, we were close, but at others we weren't. Then when you add in cousins, it's even more distant. 

Paternal Cousins
Growing up, I knew about my Uncle John's sons. When I went over to see my grandmother each summer, she would talk about them and what great things they were doing. However, me seeing them? It wasn't very often for me. I would go over, say hi to them and might spend a few hours every few years with them. Then as I grew older, my grandmother would take me over to my uncle's house, but the whole family was on a family summer trip, and my grandmother would watch their house for them, so I never got to see them, but I could walk around the house a tiny bit. 

The last time I had seen them was when my uncle passed away in 2002. I had finally found out where my uncle lived as no one ever gave me his address or phone number until our visit about 6 months before he passed away. The one thing I didn't do was get a picture with him and my aunt, which saddens me. 

July 2002 at Uncle John's funeral in New York. Back row: Barbara & Helmut Schmitz from Germany. Cousin John, Aunt Jenny, Cousin Joseph, my father Matt, my stepmother Louise, my husband Brett, my sister Debbie. Front Row: Me, my sister in law Kathy, my brother Charlie, and my nephew CJ. Credit: H. Schmitz

However, we have retained contact since then by being friends on Facebook and I now exchange christmas cards with my aunt and cousins. Its something small, but at least the contact is still there. 

Maternal Cousins
I didn't know any of these growing up. I've stated in past posts where my mother just wouldn't talk about her side. However, once I started to research her side of the family tree, and I started to let her know about it, she let out a few names, told me a few stories, which most I found to be untrue, and she then just clammed up. Now with her dementia, it's not a place I can go unless she starts to talk about things, but usually she doesn't. 

About three or so years ago, I was able to find an aunt of my mother's had died. I left a notice on the obituary and was contacted by her daughter. This opened up getting to know this side of the family. She passed along my information to MY cousin Jason and we started to get to know each other. 

January 2019 in New York. my uncle Jimmy, my cousin Jenine, my cousin Jason, and me. Credit. B. Fitzgerald

In fact, this past January, I was able to finally meet my uncle and two of my cousins. Since then, we've been contacting each other and exchanging information. 

Last week, I asked my cousin Jason, if I should try and find out more about our Uncle Louis and see if his widow, and possibly children, would like to get to know us. We both agreed it was worth trying. 

Me writing a letter. Credit J. Fitzgerald

Last night I sat down and wrote up a letter, with a stamp and everything, worth a few paragraphs of who I was and if they wanted to get to know each other. Today I'll put it in the mail and see what I get in response. I'm hoping I'll find we have even more cousins out there.

According to my research, I believe our Uncle Louis had a daughter, Deb, and a son, Louis. However, I'm not sure if this is completely correct (my gut says it is) but I think it is. We do know, because of family pictures, Uncle Louis had a son which he named after him - Louis. 

I'm hoping our aunt, and possibly their children, would like to at least connect to get to know each other. I'm of the thought process that you won't know unless you ask. I'm now asking this part of the family if they would like to reconnect and its up to them if they want to or not. 

But I hope they do!

Keeping my fingers crossed. Credit