My first blog post.

Not really sure what to write here, but I guess I will start at the beginning. I have been doing family history research since I was in high school, but I wasn't the least big organized or educated about it. Of course I kick myself now for not having been more methodical then when my grand-parents were still alive. But, going through life feeling regret is no way to get anything done. So, I've just get to nip that in the bud and forge ahead.

I am now 41 years old and definitely have matured in my understanding of the fact that this is a hobby that requires an understanding of the methods and diligent organization. My main hurdles to get over are lack of funds (for travel, courses, document fees), lack of time and space (for keeping all the records I receive, find and generate.) Thus, I must be especially creative and persistent.

Thank goodness there are many free sites online that can lead in the right direction and provide me with further resources. I also have free access to ancestry.com thru my employment at a university. I believe there are many other great resources available to me thru the university. I just need to get to the library and find out what they are.

I am currently taking a course through Universal Class (universalclass.com) called Genealogical Research. The subjects of my study for this class are my great-grandfather on my mother's mother's side, Howard Cline, and my great-grandfather on my mother's father's side, Frederick Davis.

I found a picture and the associated information for the gravestone of Herbert and Mary Cline, parents of Howard Cline, in New Jersey. I plan to write to the church there and ask if they might have any additional information about the rest of the family. None of the children of Herbert and Mary Cline appear to be buried in that lot. My ultimate goal is to find living descendants of the rest of the children as I only know those who are descended from my great-grandfather, Howard. I love family reunions and it would be just awesome to find all these other second and third cousins and bring them together for a big reunion.