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The Life From The Roots blog topics have changed several times since I began this blog in 2009. I initially wrote only about the family history I had been working on for 20 years. Years later, I was into visiting gardens, historical homes, churches, libraries that had genealogical collections, historical societies, war memorials, and travel/tourism places. I also enjoy posting autographs and photos of famous people I've met or have seen.

Along with my New England roots, other areas include New York, New Jersey, Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, and the Eastern Townships of Quebec, Canada.

Please check out the labels on the right side for topics (please note, they need work). Below the labels and pageviews is a listing of my top nine posts, according to Google. Four of them pertain to Lowell, MA. These posts change often because they are based on what people are reading.

Sunday, May 20, 2012

Fuller Gardens, No. Hampton, New Hampshire

Fuller Gardens 
10 Willow Avenue,
North Hampton, NH 03862 

The Fuller Gardens located almost on the Atlantic Coast in North Hampton, New Hampshire is well known for its superior rose garden. Below are some of the hundred or more photos I took, plus statues. If you love roses, this is a place for you! The Fuller name is well-known in this area, and not too far from the garden is the Fuller Farm where thoroughbred horses might be seen. https://www.fullergardens.org/about-fuller-gardens/






















If you lived anywhere near Boston or the coast of New Hampshire, you heard of Peter Fuller in the 60s. He was bigger than life, especially when his horse Dancer's Image won the Kentucky Derby. There aren't a lot of horse owners in this area, this area isn't like Kentucky or Virginia, even so, his farm Runnymeade Farm Racing Stables, is a little over a mile from the Atlantic Ocean, in full view from the end of his road. (See map below.)

Peter D. Fuller Dies at 89; Had to Return Derby Purse















Saturday, May 19, 2012

Help, Please Tell Me Which Surnames You'd Like to See for Surname Saturday

Time flies, and it doesn't seem possible that I am close to posting my 100th different surname on my blog (see right-hand side for listings under Surname). There was never a rhyme or reason for the ones I selected first, except in the beginning when I chose my brick wall surnames, my great-grandparents surnames and those of which I had a lot of information. Now, I'm needing a little help, because I have no idea which ones can possibly help you. Since this is basically a New England blog, that is why I centered on my Connecticut and Massachusetts names. On my list below, I'm including a few New York and New Jersey lines (most are my Dutch lines). I don't want to list every surname in my tree, there has to be an end, and there will be with your help.


If you feel like it, please let me know which surnames you'd like to see, if any, perhaps just write the surname in the comments section. 


MASSACHUSETTS


FELLOWS
RAND
SIMMONS
SNOW
SUMNER
WINN
WOODWARD




CONNECTICUT




GOODSELL
GRISWOLD
LEWIS
MITCHELL
SILL
STANLEY
TURNER
WHITTELSEY




NEW JERSEY


FIELD
VAN ANGLEN (and New York)




NEW YORK


CRISPEL
FORT
HUYCK
VAN WICKLEN

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Reviewing a Book for Jennifer Holik



Branching Out: Genealogy for High School StudentsA book review is something I’ve never done, but when I won a book, Branching Out: Kids Genealogy for High School Students Lessons 1-15 by Jennifer Holik of http://blog.generationsbiz.com/ I wrote and told her I’d be happy to write a review. In addition, I’d prefer her PDF version and not the hard copy. When I subscribed to her blog, I hadn’t known there was a contest to win this book, so I was quite surprised to learn I was the winner.

How do I write a review? Is it the same as a critique? I’m not sure, but critiques always seem so negative, so I’ll give my thoughts.

The things that came to mind after I finished reading the 65 pages were, there is a lot of information. And, it isn't just for high school students; in my opinion, this is a perfect book for those who home-school their older children or even somebody teaching a small group of scouts or young adults who are interested in their family history.

There are a lot of reading assignments as well as hands-on projects. It might be noted, however, the students have to have access to four other books, and a computer, in addition to Jennifer’s book.

It is apparent that Jennifer put in a huge amount of time and effort into her book. In addition, she has other books in this vein, covering other grades, and a new one for adults. Please see her blog at http://blog.generationsbiz.com/ for further information. Thanks Jennifer, I enjoyed receiving and reading your book.

Tennis Anybody? Wordless Wednesday

My mother and her sister in their back yard. Probably early 1930s.

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Eleazer Ball of Concord, Massachusetts Died 1698 -- Tombstone Tuesday

Eleazer Ball
Born:  About 1650
Died:  November 14, 1698

Eleazer was my 8th great-grandfather.
"Here Lies Ye Body of Eleazer Ball Aged 48 Years Died November 14, 1698"

Old Hill Burying Ground
Concord, Massachusetts
View between the houses and from the side walk, looking up the hill.


Sunday, May 13, 2012

Goodnow Library, Sudbury, Massachusetts. -- History and Genealogy Room

21 Concord Rd, Sudbury, MA 01776

One of my earliest ancestors, Thomas Goodenow (1608 - 1666) lived in Sudbury. The library was named after a descendant of Thomas.
  History and Genealogy Section, through the door (below), and expanding into the oldest part of the library (see NEHGS Register, in the unlocked outer room).


(Permission was granted to take photos.)

Saturday, May 12, 2012

The Garden in the Woods, Framingham, Massachusetts

Garden in the Woods
180 Hemenway RoadFramingham, MA 
Website: http://www.newenglandwild.org/visit/Garden-in-the-Woods

"New England Wild Flower Society conserves native plants in the wild and encourages gardeners and landscape professionals to choose natives when they plant outdoor spaces, particularly plants grown from local seeds, harvested sustainably in the wild."

I have been to this garden several times. The trails are easy, there is plenty of plant life, shrubs and trees, a nice pond, and an owl may surprise you. The first photos were taken May 12, 2012, and the last ones in early fall.