The Acorn

Does the acorn really fall far from the tree when it drops? How often do we reflect on that thought in our genealogy? All of those years ago when I started to work my genealogy I did some of the things that all of the people have said to do in the beginning.

ü work with yourself and then backwards

ü interview your family members

My semi-timeline might begin on the day I was born and the musical area of my life no doubt began with my first vocal cry. At the age of seven my parents purchased an organ that they (Santa) gave me for Christmas. The onset of lessons began soon after the holiday and continued into my young adult years. In between we added an extensive vocal period. A highly disciplined madrigal group and a much rewarding Lutheran folk service group complete with guitars. Such was life in the 70's. No I don't play much anymore but I do sing whenever I can.

Questions to Molly (1st cousin one time removed) began soon after I started this never ending path to connect with my ancestors. Molly is my grandfather's niece. Seek and you shall find, knock and the door will open, ask and it shall be given. What can you tell me about our family I soon asked. Among so many different tales she shared, the one that reminded me that this acorn didn't roll to far from the root of the tree was when I read in one of her first letters to me about my 3rd great grandfather, "Christian SPRECKELSEN, a musician who played at Weddings, Funerals etc…". How awesome is that? The musician of the town in the "old country". I don't know of any musicians in between him and I. Funny how life talents can skip some generations. Now if that wasn't enough of a twist of fate where does this next one sit on the tree?

I found a local FamilyHistory Library (FHL) and had early on in my research decided to spend my days off from my ten to six job there, sitting in front of one of those massive machines, dubbed microfilm reader. You see back then there was very little on the internet, let alone software programs. If you wanted to see a census record you had to actually get dressed, drive on down to the stake (or any other facility that held the record), thread it on the machine, wind and wind till you found your family and then hand write all of the information down on good old fashioned paper. Well on one of the blessed days on the hunt for my 2nd great grandfather, Jacob KIEFFER, there I sat. I only knew his name because it was written in my baby book but not too much more. I did know that they were someplace in massive New York City. Finally after hours of spinning, there at the end of my session was Jacob in the 1850 New York census.

1850 New York State Census*

He had a wife and 2 daughters and his occupation was stated as a "Turner". Fast forward and we have another one of those acorn rolling moments. Ask me what my husband does for a living? Well he is a woodturner of all things. (You can read all about his work in the other blog I write, The WoodArt Studio). Furthermore what did he do before he transitioned to woodturning? He was a musical instrument technician. Yes there is that music connection happening again.

So some might call these coincidences in life where as I have dubbed them genealogical appointments. It is times like these that drive me to research more. To have more new day appointments with my family passed. With that in mind for today I thank you for joining me in yet another of my numerous genealogical appointments.

* Source Citation "United States Census, 1850," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/MCT8-SMQ : accessed 9 May 2012), Jacob Keifer in household of Jacob Keifer, New York City, ward 8, New York, New York, United States.