For the Archived Document Contest in January, Marian Halverson entered a newspaper article titled “Washington
Man Finds His Family Roots in Cottonwood Area” that was printed in the
Tri-County News (Cottonwood, Minnesota) on 4 June 2003. This may not seem like
a deeply historical article to most of us, but it contained a marvelous success
story of how collaboration can work in genealogy. Marion didn’t download this
article. It was a prized family possession as the article was about her husband’s,
Richard Halverson’s, personal search for his paternal side genealogy.
On 19 February 2002 Richard Halverson wrote a letter to a
local historical society asking general questions about some surnames he was
researching. The letter was given to a historian who was not familiar with
those particular surnames but was curious enough to ask other local citizens a
lot of questions. One lead led to another. Enough information was soon gathered
that Richard Halverson decided a road trip was in order only 2 months and 18
days after he penned the original letter.
Richard was invited to stay with the historian. Richard
brought additional historical documents with him, and it was soon revealed that
the historian and Richard actually shared the same great-great grandparents.
Not only was it a startling discovery but the discovery stirred a family
reunion to be held immediately that brought together 17 family members.
There are more surprises in the article that Marian shared.
You will enjoy reading it yourself. You will also be amazed at the discoveries
that were shared without the Internet. Some of these discoveries were family
photos and naturalization papers. In the meantime Marian will enjoy her prize
for winning the January contest of the yearlong Archived Document Contest.
Marian wins a $100 Red Lobster gift certificate from Technical Training Mall LLC. Technical
Training Mall LLC wants to remind all genealogists to take periodic breaks.
They also want to remind you to back up your files and protect your prized
paper documents.
The February contest for the
Archived Document Contest is underway. The winner of the February contest will
win a one year pdf subscription to History
Magazine. History Magazine is a consumer magazine covering social history,
in particular the day to day life of ordinary people. It provides interesting
and thought provoking accounts of key events in global history. This should be
an enjoyable prize, so enter your submission on the TriCity Genealogical
Society Facebook page today.
