Category Archives: family

Will I ever see a photo of any of my great grandparents?

Posted on March 21, 2023 by Bill

I assume the answer is no. I watch genealogy shows like Finding Your Roots and find myself wishing I could be a subject of an episode. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. often holds up a photo and says something like “this … Continue reading →

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Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure #2 (2019) – Ireland & Scotland

Posted on August 25, 2019 by Bill

My brother, Ted, and I have made two trips together to Ireland to explore our Sweeney roots.  Back in May 2016, we were off on Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure #1.  We visited McPherson and Brennan cousins as well as … Continue reading →

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Connecting my Brennans back to Ireland – DNA makes it official

Posted on May 22, 2018 by Bill

Even when I’m sure something is true, it’s always great to get verification.  That happened recently with my Brennan family tree.  How amazing to connect two families, separated by an ocean 180 years ago. My great great grandfather, Michael James … Continue reading →

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Exploring my Gaetz roots in Nova Scotia

Posted on December 1, 2014 by Bill

In July, we had another combination vacation and family history trip.  Is there any other kind of vacation?  This time, I was exploring my Gaetz roots in Nova Scotia.  My ancestor, Johann Martin Gaetz, arrived in 1751 as part of … Continue reading →

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A cornucopia of Irish cousins – my latest trip to Ireland

Posted on April 23, 2012 by Bill

In March, I was lucky enough to take another trip to Ireland.  Scheduled to be in Dublin for work on a Monday, I decided to arrive on Saturday morning and head west for a weekend of visiting. My first stop … Continue reading →

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Christmas toy on fire

Posted on December 26, 2010 by Bill

I never imagined a toy remote controlled car could catch fire.  It only took four AA batteries and a tiny circuit board.  Flames burned through the windshield and were shooting several inches in the air!  It was not a nice … Continue reading →

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