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HOW IT STARTED
or
WHY DO I DO THIS?
The way people lived a few generations ago and the times they lived in has always been of enormous interest to me. I read with fascination the smallest and most ordinary event of everyday life ... and a hard life it was for most of them. Many of their children did not live to adulthood and spouses, too, died before
their time.
For many years I've thought about my ancestors and knew that some day I would have to begin examining those fact-filled letters and old photos and put it all together as best I could. When I finally got "on line" on the internet, I realized that it was time to begin.
My research began in earnest when my aunt, Elzida Cowsert Cardello, sent me some old photographs and, about the same time, I was contacted via e-mail by Ron Wilson, from a Cowsert line in Texas, who had found my maiden name listed in an internet directory. From Aunt Elzida, I learned the names of my father's grandparents and two of his siblings, and the town where they lived. From Ron Wilson, I received the encouragement I needed to take the plunge and begin. (Thank you, Elzida and Ron.) Please visit the "Texas Cowserts" at the
Cowsert Family Home Page.
I have spent a great deal of time researching on the internet and discovered that this is great fun and can provide you with leads and places to begin your search. While actual records (birth, death, marriage, census) are still fairly rare, that is slowly changing as more and more records are being put on-line every day, especially on USGenWeb pages.
The very best part of researching via the internet is locating fellow researchers, who are eager to help and share their information. Through the Hardin County USGenWeb, Laurie Carlson and I found each other. Laurie's paternal line also came from the same area and is, in fact, my first internet "cousin."
This lucky event has resulted in my receiving information that would have taken me months -- or years -- to find on my own. Her earlier research located Robert P. Cowsert and Robert graciously gave Laurie much information about early Cowsert history, which she in turn has generously shared with me. I owe a great deal of thanks and appreciation to these two fellow researchers and I thank them now. Since that first cousin met on the internet, I've met dozens since ... they have all been friendly and helpful.
Researching family history has given me enormous satisfaction in a way I cannot explain. I am absolutely looney about these people I've never met (even the one I sometimes refer to as "that old goat"). They deserve to be remembered and to have their place in history.
This is in no way a professional project; just something I have been doing for fun. It's only a hobby (I keep telling myself). I have tried to indicate in the narrative where sources have been verified and where an educated guess has been made.
Please e-mail me any corrections or additions.
Judy Stevens 44 @ Earthlink.net
(DELETE THE SPACES IN THE ABOVE EMAIL ADDRESS)
For many years I've thought about my ancestors and knew that some day I would have to begin examining those fact-filled letters and old photos and put it all together as best I could. When I finally got "on line" on the internet, I realized that it was time to begin.
My research began in earnest when my aunt, Elzida Cowsert Cardello, sent me some old photographs and, about the same time, I was contacted via e-mail by Ron Wilson, from a Cowsert line in Texas, who had found my maiden name listed in an internet directory. From Aunt Elzida, I learned the names of my father's grandparents and two of his siblings, and the town where they lived. From Ron Wilson, I received the encouragement I needed to take the plunge and begin. (Thank you, Elzida and Ron.) Please visit the "Texas Cowserts" at the Cowsert Family Home Page.
I have spent a great deal of time researching on the internet and discovered that this is great fun and can provide you with leads and places to begin your search. While actual records (birth, death, marriage, census) are still fairly rare, that is slowly changing as more and more records are being put on-line every day, especially on USGenWeb pages.
The very best part of researching via the internet is locating fellow researchers, who are eager to help and share their information. Through the Hardin County USGenWeb, Laurie Carlson and I found each other. Laurie's paternal line also came from the same area and is, in fact, my first internet "cousin."
This lucky event has resulted in my receiving information that would have taken me months -- or years -- to find on my own. Her earlier research located Robert P. Cowsert and Robert graciously gave Laurie much information about early Cowsert history, which she in turn has generously shared with me. I owe a great deal of thanks and appreciation to these two fellow researchers and I thank them now. Since that first cousin met on the internet, I've met dozens since ... they have all been friendly and helpful.
Researching family history has given me enormous satisfaction in a way I cannot explain. I am absolutely looney about these people I've never met (even the one I sometimes refer to as "that old goat"). They deserve to be remembered and to have their place in history.
This is in no way a professional project; just something I have been doing for fun. It's only a hobby (I keep telling myself). I have tried to indicate in the narrative where sources have been verified and where an educated guess has been made.
Please e-mail me any corrections or additions.
Judy Stevens 44 @ Earthlink.net
(DELETE THE SPACES IN THE ABOVE EMAIL ADDRESS)
(DELETE THE SPACES IN THE ABOVE EMAIL ADDRESS)