This blog is about the genealogy of my family, including the surnames Wells, Belknap, Gisel, Wilson, Oakes/Ochs, Moore, Bolt. What led me to this is an inheritance of old family photographs. There are some great pictures of relatives I know well and ones I had never even heard of. I wanted to put some of them and their stories up on the web in case any long lost cousins out there would like to share. I’ve also put up some photos from some genealogical journeys my family and I have made.
Recently, I’ve been trying out some blogging prompts to give me some ideas of what or who to write about. The ones on the Geneabloggers site have been very helpful. I’ve also worked on the “52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks” challenges off and on for the last few years.
Wells & Wilson Family History 
I also have Shatzer/Shartzer ancestors in Pennsylvania and was wondering if you know where in PA your Shatzers came from.
Hello!
I’m reaching out to let you know about a fun genealogy blog contest we started called “Guess My Family Heritage Blogathon Contest.” http://crestleaf.com/blog/enter-win-guess-family-heritage-blogathon-contest/
As you know, posting photos of ancestors online can help you and Family History and Other Things readers learn something new and even connect the dots to identify long-lost relatives. This contest encourages bloggers like you to post photos and have your readers guess your family heritage for fun. It should also entice discussion on your blogs with readers and could potentially help you or others connect your/their family tree. In addition to these benefits, three lucky bloggers will be chosen to win Amazon gift cards totalling $250!
I hope you can take part!
Kind Regards,
Mark Subel
Chief Digital Officer
http://crestleaf.com
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Our Blog: Crestleaf.com/Blog
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About Us: Crestleaf.com (a Top 100 genealogy site by Genealogy in Time Magazine) is a free online family tree builder that has been used by tens of thousands of people to document their family history. Along with the family tree tool, we provide free access to 90 Million+ historical records.
Hi Kristy
I hope you are well.
We haven’t spoken before, however, my name is David Mason and I am heading up some research for a web site called historypin, you may recall the site. Indeed I found your site as the image entitled “Helen Oakes and Viola Frost” appeared on their homepage yesterday.
Anyhow, I would be extremely grateful if you could spare me a few minutes as I would like to understand your experience and use of the historypin.
I hope to hear back from you.
Kind regards
David
Hi David,
Honestly I was just experimenting with historypin when I put the picture of my grandmother up. It’s the first and only pin I’ve done. Since I knew the exact spot the picture was taken, I thought it would be a good one to try. I’d like to add more pictures eventually.
Thanks for asking,
Kristy
thank you for your blog. I am a direct descendant of John and Margaret Rhost Gisel. your blog is very helpful
please feel free to email me directly at yvonnemccready123@gmail.com
I have some things I’d like to share with you.
Hi Yvonne,
My great great grandmother was Martha Gisel Belknap. Looks like our great-great grandmas were sisters! Nice to meet you!
Hi Kristy, would you please contact me? I believe you are the author of the A. Y. Malcomson portion of this blog (or all of it). It’s difficult to determine using my iPhone/iPad. My email is robheyen1@gmail.com
Cell 402-643-0235
I’d like to use your information for an article (regarding Alexander Y. Malcomson), and also like to share additional info and question.
Thank you,
Rob Heyen
Nebraska
I am the author. You can email at keklund12@gmail.com if you have questions.
I sent an email. Adding this in case it may have gone it a junk folder.
Thank you,
Rob
robheyen1(at)gmail.com
Hello, my grandmother was adopted and my DNA is coming back to Sarah Bost as my great-grandmother. If you have any additional information that could assist me, that would be great. I am at a standstill unfortunately. My ancestry ID is veronicaburleson15 or my FB name is Harper-Burleson, Veronica.
thank you,
It looks as though you are the great great granddaughter of Mary Ann Gibson Wilson. I too am her great great granddaughter. Looks as though we are the same generation. My great grandmother was Annie Elicia Wilson ( VanWinkle). She was a daughter of MaryAnn and John Wilson. Starting with Annie Elicia there have been 6 consecutive generations of Elicia. I am #4 followed by my daughter and granddaughter. John Wilson was adopted as an infant after being surrendered at birth. There is no record of either of his bio parents. His name at adoption was Johann Axel Bergenssen (Rustad) of Sweden. He was later a stowaway on a ship bound from Sweden to Canada. When discovered on board by the captain he was taken in by his family and given the captain’s family name of Wilson. I find this fascinating and would love to find more about his Sweish family and about Captain Wilson.
Elicia McClure
mcclure.elicia@gmail.com
Hi Elicia – that is really neat the the name has been passed down for so long. Do you know Cynthia Greer? She is also descended from Annie Elicia and was able to hire someone in Sweden to find (and translate) documents about John’s parents. I can invite you to my Ancestry tree if you want – or it is public so you should be able to see it on Ancestry.com. My tree is named “Clark/Wells.”
Oh! Thank you so much for getting back to me. I do know Cynthia very well. My grandmother, Elicia Vanwinkle Putnam, and her great grandfather, Hugh Vanwinkle were siblings. She has been an incredible help to me for years. Which of Mary Ann and John Wilson’s children is your ancester? My mother is 96 and is the only remaining one of her generation. When I asked her recently about my findings of the surrender at birth of great grandfather, John Wilson, she did recall hearing stories of this from her mother. I will contact Cindy to pick her brain for more information on John Wilson. I will contact you through email so we can have a quicker and more private contact. My email is mcclure.elicia@gmail.com.
I live in Charlotte, N.C. I will happily check out your tree.
Always, Elicia McClure
We’re descended from their son John A. Wilson.
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