The Journey That Led to Me

My Grandfather working as a landscaper in the 1970s.

The mystery of my family’s heritage has fascinated me for as long as I can remember. As a child, I would sit with my grandparents for hours, listening to their stories—tales of their own lives and of those who came before us. They’d share old photographs and cherished artifacts that made those stories feel real, like puzzle pieces linking the past to the present.

As I grew older, my curiosity only deepened. I often found myself daydreaming about what the world looked like 10, 50, or even 100 years ago. At fifteen, I started digging in with genealogy tools and free resources, slowly connecting the dots and uncovering the bigger picture of where I come from.

For me, genealogy became more than just a hobby—it was a therapeutic way to better understand my own story. Exploring the lives, choices, and challenges of my parents, grandparents, and ancestors helped me reflect on my own trials and turning points. Later, when I studied Social Work and earned my BSW in 2020, I gained an even deeper perspective on how family history shapes us and why these stories matter.

My ancestors’ journeys—whether they were early colonial settlers or immigrants arriving in the late 1800s in search of a better life—ultimately led to me, here and now. And that’s what excites me most: the way their stories continue to live on through mine.

I can’t wait to share some of my unique finds and the stories I’ve uncovered with you. My hope is that they inspire you to look at your own family history with fresh eyes—and maybe even discover connections you never knew were there.