#6  Katherine Willson knows that learning about your family history gives you a different perspective of family members and events that happen in the world beyond family.  Hear how she started her genealogy journey as a Junior Girl Scout, how knowing the stories of her immigrant ancestors helps her be more resilient, and her unusual tip for those beginning to explore their family roots that is important for researchers at any level to remember.

In this episode Katherine shares:

• How a Junior Girl Scout badge led to a life-long love of discovering family [4:02]
• Researching as an adult helped her to see the situations and patterns in her family that contributed to difficulties later generations of her family faced [8:13]
• Seeing her ancestors weaknesses gives her strength as she sees they were doing the best they could [11:30]
• Her ancestors’ immigration experience in the 1850s [15;16]
• How knowing those stories helps her to have a different perspective of immigrants today who are looking for a better life for their families [21:41]
• Her unexpected advise for someone beginning their genealogy journey [26:41]

About Katherine:

Katherine R. Willson of Dexter, Michigan, is an engaging & dynamic genealogy lecturer at local, regional, and national events; an educator teaching beginning, intermediate, and advanced genealogy classes in Michigan since 2001; the author of The Genealogist’s Guide to Grand Rapids, Michigan (published in 2018 by The In-Depth Genealogist), and a professional researcher for private clients. Her genealogy interests began as an 8-year-old Junior Girl Scout working towards the now-retired “My Heritage” badge, and her passion was fueled when, after college, both her mother’s and father’s relatives gave her binders containing generations’ worth of family information. Read more about Katherine's roles as an Army wife and volunteer for the Department of Defense, and as an artist/owner of MoonSwings Studio at SocialMediaGenealogy.com

Connect with Katherine:

Website: SocialMediaGenealogy.com
Facebook: @moonswings
Instagram: @katherine.r.willson
Twitter: @moonswings
LinkedIn: Katherine R. Willson

 Also Mentioned:

• Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program
• FamilySearch.com
• Ancestry.com

Episode Sponsor:

 Episode sponsored by Heather Murphy's signature 1:1 service, Stories in Your Roots.

Get a free guide, "7 Ways You (Unintentionally) Sabotage Your Family Tree" and have more success as you research your family history. 

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