[cesalima]

I just have to share this. I was cruising along, double-checking and verifying names in my genealogy database. I came across the coolest name. It got into my mind and I couldn't get it out, no matter how hard I tried.

I can't have children and I'm not sure I would stick a child of mine with this name. But I am a writer and I coudn't take it. I named one of the characters in my new book Theodacia Scott, nickname Teddi. It has provided a running gag through the entire book and I'm enjoying the writing of it.

Interestingly enough, when I get ready to name new characters in books, screenplays or plays I head to my genealogy database first now. I have over 30,000 names in there so it'll be awhile before I run out.

Family History is so cool! Check out my new blog, when Lisa gets it posted, on Genealogy Rocks! I talk about an ancestor I found, St. Arnold, that just tickled my funny bone. Especially because I'm LDS. This is just too much fun. Finding ancestors, learning all about them and pulling them into my life.

[babydawn]

This may not mean much to people who aren't LDS, but for those of you who are, this is kind of cool. Hyrum Smith is my husbands great-great-great-great grandfather, which of course makes Joseph Smith his several great uncle. His family has one of the first 3000 original Book of Mormon's printed. What is really cool about this, is that when we are talking about the Smith brothers, I am able to tell my children how they are related and it makes it much more interesting to them, and really personalizes it for them.

[cesalima]

BabyDawn,

That is so neat. Joseph Smith, Jr. and his brother, Hyrum Smith have been examples to us all in so many ways. But when I do my firesides on Joseph, I always mention that all familial relations should be patterned after the way these two loved and supported each other to the end.

I have become good friends with Matthew B. Brown who has worked really hard on pulling together information on Joseph. His new website is fantastic: http://josephsmithstudies.com. You might enjoy cruising around on it as Joseph is your great-great-great uncle. Anyway, I'm delighted to find a Smith ancestor, even by marriage.

[beth]

Originally Posted by babydawn

This may not mean much to people who aren't LDS, but for those of you who are, this is kind of cool. Hyrum Smith is my husbands great-great-great-great grandfather, which of course makes Joseph Smith his several great uncle. His family has one of the first 3000 original Book of Mormon's printed. What is really cool about this, is that when we are talking about the Smith brothers, I am able to tell my children how they are related and it makes it much more interesting to them, and really personalizes it for them.

Hi Babydawn,
I'm not LDS but I'm a mad keen genealogy fan so I appreciated the excitement this connection would cause. It would certainly make the kids sit up and listen! Has the family been able to collect many photos of the family tree, and if so, how far back would they go? Maybe just to great great grandparents?

[babydawn]

I have seen family pictures of my husbands family only go back a couple of generations. My mom, however, is a huge genealogy buff and has books and books of pictures. They are really something. I love to look at them.

[beth]

Originally Posted by babydawn

I have seen family pictures of my husbands family only go back a couple of generations. My mom, however, is a huge genealogy buff and has books and books of pictures. They are really something. I love to look at them.

Pity about the Smith side -- that would have been fascinating to have older photos in that case. I have a moderate sized photo collection of my ancestors and I love to drag out the album every so often. Often each time I look at them I see some new detail I missed, like suddenly realizing the house they are standing in from of belonged to another relative who I've learned more about in the meantime, or that someone's eyebrow structure from the 1800s is exactly like my cousin's today. I know genealogy bores some people to death but I think it's living history.

[writerchick]

My nieces found out they were related to Pocohontas through genealogy, but since then, we've heard of quite a number of people also related to Pocohontas. Either she had a ton of kids, there were many girls named Pocohontas, or there's a flaw in the line somewhere. Fun to think about being related to someone so famous, though!

[blossy]

That is just so cool babydawn & writerchick. It makes tracing your family tree a lot more fun & exciting especially when you have such prominent names featured in your tree.

[luckyme39]

I have ran across names i have never heard of and my sisters and i want tell anyone about them. We love them so much hoping the next family member will carry the name. Its so cool i know. I am happy for you

[str8co]

I dont know anything about my family in past.
You gaved me an idea!