Built on a Strong Foundation: The Women that Came Before Me.

A strong woman is one who can build a firm foundation ​with the bricks used to block her path Every once in a while, I have one of those days that remind me that no matter what I am going through, I come from a long line of very strong women.  I…

Continue reading

Faces from the Past and Present: Family Similarities in the McKenzie, Burt and Hawley Families

We have all probably heard that we look just like…. (fill in the blank with a member of you family). One of the things I find so interesting in my genealogy research is old photos and especially, finding the similarities between living members of my family and those that have…

Continue reading

Niergarth School in Rust, Montmorency, Michigan

I referenced a photo I found of the Niergarth schoolhouse, in a previous blog post called Road Trip Through Our Family History. Today’s blog post will provide a little more information about how this country schoolhouse played a part in the life of my Great Grandmother, Lavina Hawley. Lavina May…

Continue reading

Road Trip Through Our Family History

I remember a trip took when I was young, 1988 based on the photos, with my parents and grandparents (Alexander and Edna McKenzie). We often took long drives, sometimes to find that “perfect garage sale”, sometimes just to drive. On this trip, we visited several places in and near Montmorency County, Michigan….

Continue reading

Wednesday’s Child: Lillian Elnora Burt

Lillian Elnora Burt was born on November 23, 1911, in Comins, Oscoda, Michigan to Ernest Nile Burt and Lavina May (Hawley) Burt. Lillian was blessed by Elder E.D. Fultz on December 14, 1911, in Comins, Oscoda, Michigan. I believe that shortly after Lillian’s birth and blessing, Ernest, Lavina and their…

Continue reading