Searching for your ancestors? Researching your family tree? Be aware - you might open a Pandora’s box.

Ever since the movie Roots, family history and genealogy research have been very popular - just Google related terms and you’ll see the many resources that have sprouted online in the last decade! I’ve been researching our family trees for more than 10 years now.  Most of the 50 pages of data I’ve found  is from those resources on the net. I believe it is very important for grandparents to pass down the family history. It’s important for children to know their past to help them see their future.

I won’t go into all the details of my lineage, but I’ll share with you several interesting facts I came across…

1.  Samuel Abbey (Abbe) participated in the Salem Witch Trials.

Samuel Abbe was living in Salem during the days of witchcraft and was one of those opposed to its fanaticisms. One Rebecca Nours, on trial as a witch, produced a paper signed by several “respectable inhabitants” of Salem, among whom was Samuel Abbe. This document as to her good character caused her to be set at liberty but the sentence was later changed for some reason and she was put to death as a witch. Only a few years ago a monument to her memory was erected by her descendants.

Samuel Abbey testifies as to Mercy Lewis, May 29, 1692, she being at the house of her neighbor, John Putnam, Jr., and accused of witchcraft.

Samuel Abbe and his wife, Mary, were witnesses in a witch trial in Salem in 1692 against Sarah Snow, a woman of vicious temper who had lived in their home for a time but was dismissed on account of her disagreeable way. She vowed vengence upon them and when several of their cows and hogs were taken sick, the blame was laid to her as a witch.

2.  My husband’s mother and father are both descended from two of Penelope Stout’s (local folklore - Monmouth   County, NJ) many children. She survived an Indian attack and was believed to be the first white woman to settle in Monmouth County. That was more than 300 years ago, so you see it doesn’t have anything to do with incest…but, just in case, we haven’t told my mother-in-law. She’s almost 90 and just wouldn’t understand - would probably say I made it up, that I am crazy, and then deny it, anyway.  When I put my husband and children into the relationship calculator, it comes up that they are cousins….many generations removed, though.

3.  When I first started the research, my mother-in-law was helpful in giving me some names, dates, and some background…then something must have clicked. I think it was after she learned that I was recording marriage, birth, and death dates. All of a sudden, she didn’t want to share any more information and told my husband I was getting to be very nosey. It made me curious so I checked dates.  I think I found what she was trying to keep me from discovering about one of her relatives.  Of course, I never asked her…that would be the end of me!  After all, she is my children’s grandmother - I wouldn’t want to ruin the relationship, which in turn would affect birthdays, holidays, cookouts, and the wedding coming next year.

So, if you research your roots, be sensitive to people’s reactions and careful with what and to whom you divulge information you find.

Here are two resources to get you started:

• Ancestry.com allows you a free trial - just remember to cancel your credit card before the trial period expiration. You can also sign up month by month. It costs a little more, but for me it works. I sign up in the summer when I have more time to invest into my hobby.
• Familysearch.org is run by the LDS Church and provides the largest free family history, family tree and genealogy records, including the 1880 census and materials.

Some interesting records I found are military registration and enlistment documents, deeds, and wills.  I’ve also connected with a second cousin I lost track of and found a few new ones.  My second cousin’s wife was the official photographer for Chris Daughtry (American Idol) for his welcome home parade and celebration - they sent me the newspaper spread of photos.

My regret…that my Nana didn’t share with me more about her family and that I didn’t ask questions when I had the chance - I should have taken more interest in her life as a young woman in the late 1800s.  So that I don’t make the same mistake, I will complete the Legacy - Life Story Project for my grandchildren and to be sure to complete my research while I am able.

Note: Nana’s Corner articles, activities, and websites related to researching your family tree are linked in the above text.