When tasked with a family tree project for school, a young boy inspired his mother, Isobella Jade, to embark on a profound journey into her family’s history. Despite limited knowledge of her father’s lineage, Jade utilized Ancestry.com to uncover the complexities and stories of her ancestors, revealing a legacy she had never fully explored.
Uncovering a Hidden Past
The journey began when Jade’s son, during his 6th-grade social studies class, asked about his grandfather. With only her father’s first name, Frank, to reference, she felt compelled to delve deeper into a side of the family shrouded in mystery. After the death of her father in a tragic house fire at the age of 63, much of his family history felt lost. The only remnants of his life were a few possessions found in his car.
Jade recalled her emotions upon discovering her grandfather’s obituary years later. The absence of her father’s name in the obituary highlighted a painful estrangement between them. This realization fueled her desire to learn more about her father’s side of the family and to fill in the gaps for her son’s project.
Researching Ancestry and Discovering Connections
Determined to gather information, Jade turned to Ancestry.com, entering her grandfather’s name as the starting point. She meticulously gathered details from various sources, including census records, birth and marriage certificates, and military documents. As she built her grandfather’s profile, she encountered “hints” marked by leaf icons, guiding her to explore further.
The research soon became an obsession. Jade was not interested in connecting with unknown relatives; her focus was on constructing a family tree for her children. A significant moment occurred when she discovered a high school portrait of her grandfather, which deepened her connection to her ancestry.
Another crucial piece of information was her grandfather’s selective service draft card from 1948, which confirmed his status as a father. This documentation not only represented a connection to her father but also served as a snapshot of a time when their lives intersected.
Jade’s continued exploration revealed her grandfather had been a man of science, a doctor passionate about brain health. Additionally, she learned about her great-grandfather, who worked as a chief clerk in a railroad company and later as an office manager for an ice cream factory. These discoveries helped Jade understand her family’s history and the lives they led.
Over two years of diligent research have transformed the family tree, allowing Jade to answer her son’s questions more fully and prepare for future school assignments. She expressed pride in the connections she has built through her efforts, believing her father would also share in her pride.
Through this journey, Jade not only constructed a family tree but also forged a meaningful legacy for her children, bridging the past with the present.
