Roots & Rabbit Holes

I'm sharing another letter from my grandmother Helen's old boyfriend, Charlie for Week 7 of 2025's 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge ....

The topic for Week 6 of the 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge is “Surprise.”  When I think of adjectives for surprise, the word shock...

Week 5 of 2025’s 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge is “Challenge”   We’re all familiar with the Rolling Stones’ song “Mother’s Little...

"Overlooked" is the topic for Week 4 of 2025's 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge . Family photos are wonderful inspirations for stories,...

Week 3 of 2025's 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge is "Nickname." My grandmother Helen's ex-boyfriend, Charlie Knight, wrote this...

Week 2 of 2025’s 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge covers one of my favorite prompts: “Favorite Photo.”  I have no shortage of them!  ...

“In the Beginning” is the prompt for the first week of 2025’s 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge.   My obsession with genealogy began...

We’re closing out 2024’s 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge with “Resolution.”  I made a resolution at the end of 2023 to do a better job...

Week 50 of the 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge is “Chosen Family.” When Melanise Laberge took her husband John to court for failure...

The topic for Week 48 of the 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge is “Funny Story.”   “Ma, we’ve gotta go!  Everyone is waiting for us!”...

The topic for Week 45 of the 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks challenge is “Colorful.”   Probably my favorite piece inherited from Nana Connie...

“Full House” is the prompt for Week 42 of 2024’s 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge.  Managing a home with five kids can be chaotic. ...

“Fire! Fire! Get out, quick!” November 29, 1929 was a bitterly cold and icy night in Westbrook, but five-year old Phil, his parents, and...

Week 37 of the 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge is “Tombstone.”   Childhood mortality was much higher in the past, but just because it...

Week 35 of 2024’s 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge is “All Mixed Up.” Alex’s great-grandfather, Leyba, was hauled in by the police...

Week 34 of the 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge is “Member of the Club.”  Two of my great-grandmother’s sisters were members of a club...

Week 33 of the 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge is “Favorite Discovery.”  This is one of my favorite discoveries from this year.   At...

Week 32 of the 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge is "Free Space." I've been busy transcribing letters and postcards. This is one...

Week 30 of the 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge is “Boats.” My grandfather Fred had a strange sense of humor. Fishing with his boys was...

Week 27 of the 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge is “Planes.” In 1993 when Alex was 18, he and his parents emigrated from Russia. ...