Thursday 23 January 2014

"Hello, hon!" from Maryland

This is such an exciting undertaking! Thanks to Julie Goucher. What a great opportunity to share the history of Maryland along with my genealogy adventures.

Baltimore's Inner Harbor
Where to start? How about the beginning?

I am Deborah, Debbie. Deb. Growing up with seemingly thousands of girls with that name. Yes, it was very popular back in the day.

Most girls were named after Debbie Reynolds or Deborah Kerr. Not this chickie. This Debbie? In honor of my parents car. That my friends, is a story for another post.

I am a child of the 50's (aka a Boomer), born and raised in the "Old Line State" of Maryland. Hence the "hon" reference. I was the oldest of seven children, in a neighborhood where a big family was the norm. We had tons of playmates and never the chance to say "I'm bored!"

I was blessed with a Dad who loved history. His favorite subject to discuss? The American Civil War. Dad did his best to share that passion. Encouraging us to read and taking his broad on historical road trips.

Most weekends the van was loaded with children, snacks and a map to the nearest historical site. Gettysburg, Antietam, and Harpers Ferry were as familiar to us as Disney was to our friends. They would tell us about Donald and Mickey, we would tell them about John Brown and Picketts Charge. Made for very interesting conversations.

Dad with my daughter, Starr
abt. 1989
Antietam National Battlefield
(Grandpop sharing the history love)
But ... there was not much discussion about our heritage. In fact, until I was much older the subject meant very little in day to day life.

Fast forward ... Deb grows up ... meets future hubby ... has four children ... works for local public library. Life becomes hectic for many years.

Babies turn to teenagers. Then become adults flying from the nest. Hubby accepts a job away from home Monday to Friday. House is suddenly silent! Life comes to a screeching halt! What should Deb do?

At this point our library system began a new initiative. Introducing the staff to various types of technology and social networking. Twitter, Facebook, flickr and Goodreads to name a few. To help track progress, we each created a blog.

What happened next? I feel in love with technology and writing! Where had all this cool "stuff" been hiding?

When the new "experience" came to a conclusion, I wanted to keep learning and growing. How would I use these new tools? I wanted to keep blogging, but what would be my focus?

Into the Google search I typed "blogs" to get an idea or two. Wow! Pages and pages of hits. First up, crafting blogs. Nope. Can barely sew on a button. Next. Gardening. Seriously! Never met a plant I can't kill. Next. Genealogy. Maybe read a couple. That was that, my friends. Hook, line and sinker.

Adventures in Genealogy - born 8/22/10
Content by Deb Ruth
Design by her daughter, Starr


That was the beginning of "Adventures in Genealogy". Where I share frustrations and triumphs, while traveling the road to family discovery. Growing from newbie to slightly more seasoned researcher. Connecting with new found cousins and making friendships with other genealogy bloggers.

Over the years, these friends have been a large part of the learning process. With their encouragement I have become an avid webinar attendee, Twitter user and Facebook group participant.

I even got over my fear of public speaking. Dove in head-first with a presentation at the local library. Now? Talking to the world! Yes indeed, having some serious fun.

What do I hope to contribute with my posts?

Share my family history. Majority of the lines are recent  (late to mid 1800's) immigrants to Maryland. I will share the difficulties finding information on ancestors that melted into a large city.

The other end of the spectrum, my husband's family line. Each coming to America during the late to mid 1700s. Most residing in rural and farming communities. Information bonanza!

Also, the opportunity to share history and interesting (sometimes odd) facts about my Maryland.

Last by not least, make new friendships.

Julie, thank you for the opportunity to stretch my family history muscles.

24 comments:

  1. My goodness! We're practically neighbors. I live in northern Virginia.

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    1. Hello, Schalene! Or should I say, neighbor?! Love visiting Virginia. Been to many of the historical sites. Looking forward to reading your posts as you share your history at that of Virginia.

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  2. Welcome on board, Deb to Worldwide Genealogy. I enjoyed reading your first post and can relate so well to how you became involved in genealogy blogging. I look forward to future posts.

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    1. Hello, ScotSue!

      Thanks for the warm welcome. Also, glad you enjoyed the post. Looking forward to getting to know more about your world!

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  3. Great intro, cannot wait to read more!

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    1. Carol,

      Thank you! Looking forward to writing! :)

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  4. Deb, I have always loved following your blog. How wonderful to have grown up in the heart of the early history of the nation and that your dad loved the history. Librarian... that's fitting. Love the picture of your dad and sister. Great to 'know' you now.

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    1. Fran,

      You make me blush! Glad you have been enjoying "Adventures in Genealogy". It has been and adventure and my passion. Yes, I am very lucky that my Dad was such a history buff. Instilled a love that has gone down to the next generation.

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  5. Deb! I loved it! a NEIGHBOR! Did all the Gettysburg Tours and Inner Harbour all my Life. I hope I get as Bold as you to get over Speaking in Public. What a Great Way to start Blogging. I can't grow anything either. But I got plenty of fakes ones that look REAL! I can't wait to go HOME now and get some UTZ Crab Chips! That's why I love you so Much. My kind of Girl! Great Post Lady! Who Knew? Look forward to hearing more of your Stories! Glad you Joined us.

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    1. True,

      Glad you could relate to the post. Sounds like we are sisters of the soul! Not many people love those crab chips. Going to be fun to get to know each other while comparing our family history experiences.

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  6. Hi Deb, great blog, I also share your love of technology and writing. I still have so much to learn so I am looking forward to hearing more of your experiences and tips!
    Di

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    1. Hello Diane,

      Thank you for the lovely compliment. Amazing how the right events happen just at the right time?! I was so ready for the next stage of life, and so lucky to find great friends along the way. This is going to be soooo fun!

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  7. Hi Deb. You seem steeped in American history. I look forward to hearing more.

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    1. Hello Sue,

      Been a history buff girl since I can remember. Looking forward to sharing my area and it's interesting history. And, learning more from your posts!

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  8. Another library lady! I am amazed how many of my former library colleagues are into genealogy. Great to see you here in this project.

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    1. Jill,

      Great to see you here! Your blog is one of the first I started following along this adventure. Yes, lots of library folks in the genealogy world. Makes sense, right?

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  9. My plants usually thrive but I don't like speaking in public. I've been to very few historical sites, now that I think about it, and only 1 battle field - it was in Indiana, the site of the Battle of Tippecanoe. I look forward to getting to know your blog better.

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    1. Kristin,

      Thanks for leaving a comment! Have been to Indiana, but not Tippecanoe. Have to put that on the "history travel bucket list"!

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  10. I just started working with my thumb...I think it is getting green cause I used to kill plants often. I really enjoyed your first post...I love how you were able to put your whole life on one page quickly...Can't wait to hear more. So glad you are a part of this WorldWide Project

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    1. Hello there Yvette!

      Good luck with that "green thumb"! I have given up! Can hear plants scream anytime I walk past. Glad you enjoyed the post. Really was one of my favorites to write so far. Looking forward to this wonderful new adventure!

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  11. Hello Deb, a great post and I am very glad you are here! I have always loved libraries, books and history. I love a nice floral garden, but am not at all green fingered and leave that to the household fisherman!

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    1. Hello Julie!

      Glad you enjoyed the post. So very happy to be here! Thank YOU for this great way to share and collaborate.

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  12. Hi Deb,

    I enjoyed your post. I love the story on how you got your name. I have a story for each one of my 4 children's names and my 4 grandchildren's names, and I make sure they know their story. I look forward to learning more about Maryland. It is one of the states I don't know a lot about, even though I lived in College Park for a year.

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  13. Hello Tina,

    Thanks for stopping by to leave a comment! Looking forward to hearing the story behind your family names.

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Best wishes
World Wide Genealogy Team