And as a result I haven't knit more than a couple of rows on a pair of socks in the last five days! By choice, no less!
I have discovered genealogy!
My dad got into this about ten years ago, and while I thought it somewhat interesting, I can't honestly say I paid that much attention. Then, the other day, I was cruising through my bloglines when I saw that Emily had gotten in some quality knitting time coming and going to a DAR meeting. This triggered a memory of my dad telling me that I had a grandfather so many times great that had fought in the Revolutionary War. So I hopped over the DAR website to see what was involved.
Critical decision number one.
Called my dad to get the info that he had collected so far.
Critical decision number two.
Signed up for a two-week free membership at Ancestry.com.
That's all she wrote. I was gone, lost, down the rabbit hole.
I cannot even begin to tell you how much this process appeals to my research oriented, analytic mind. Poring over US Federal Census records, I get distracted by the family raising eight children and three grandchildren with only the father working. The 110-year-old black woman listed as a pauper in what I can only assume was debtors prison, since she was listed with the other prisoners, all but one of whom were black back in Smith County Texas in 1900. (When did debtor's prison go away, anyway?) Not being able to find a particular person, I would have to approach in from another angle. Who was the father, the mother, the sibling, the wife? Fascinating!
If you are interested, as near as I can tell, my ancestors came to America in the 1630's. My great (several times) grandfather fought in the Revolutionary War, was wounded in the head and collected a pension of $8 a month from the Common Wealth of Virginia for the remainder of his life.
Despite my newest obsession, there has been knitting! And as my ardor cools, I'm sure there will be even more knitting. I decided to give my first stab at the TT socks another chance, and I'm glad I did. I like them a lot more now. I've decided it was the whole crumpled up lace thing that was bugging me.
And there has been spinning. This is 172 yards of two-ply sport weight (14 wpi) yarn spun on my Majacraft Rose (named aptly enough Rose) from Corridale pencil roving in the Tourmaline colorway. Provided by the lovely and talented Teyani at Crown Mountain Farms.
Sigh…
Comments (13)
That's so cool! I've always wanted to research my family history but I've never actually done it. Good for you!
Posted by Carole | September 13, 2006 6:45 PM
Posted on September 13, 2006 18:45
OOOOO another convert :-) I have been doing genealogy for years now.....10 to be exact. I do my research, and I get paid to do research for others.
One thing about Ancestry, DON'T take the information there and believe it. Research it. GET the documentation. So many times people don't take the time to document the facts, and you have no idea of that person did the research correctly.
But then I am that type of person that has a birth, death, marriage certificate for everyone is they are avaliable. I also have the census subscription and document that as well.
I sure hope my kids are intrested in this when they are older!!! I;ll have to haunt them if thy get rid of all my research when I pass away!
Posted by Jenn | September 13, 2006 11:24 PM
Posted on September 13, 2006 23:24
Wow how interesting. I've thought about doing this type of research but have often wondered if they can do this internationally too and how far back they can go.
I love the spinning results. The yarn looks gorgeous!
Posted by Marisol | September 13, 2006 11:24 PM
Posted on September 13, 2006 23:24
Yay! It is absolutely fascinating the way families spread out over miles and countries. If anybody else is interested in "where you came from" - get started now! It only gets harder as time goes on.
PS Pretty spinning too!
Posted by Emily | September 14, 2006 7:36 AM
Posted on September 14, 2006 07:36
What an interesting thing to begin - I think that I would get totally lost as well, since I love to read. Someone in my family has already done a bunch of research - must ask my Mom.
The spinning looks so great!!!! and so do your TT socks~will there be lace on the foot part as well?? the colorway is yummy.
Posted by Teyani | September 14, 2006 8:15 AM
Posted on September 14, 2006 08:15
The spinning looks great as does the sock!
Posted by Gracie | September 14, 2006 9:18 AM
Posted on September 14, 2006 09:18
Yummy new spinning! Love those colors!!
The siren call of Ancestry.com is strong.... must. resist. doing. research. It's so fun and exciting. We've been doing a little research learning the history of the family that built and lived in our house for about 80 years. Even though it's not our family we are so curious about them!
Posted by Laura | September 14, 2006 10:20 AM
Posted on September 14, 2006 10:20
We had the ancestry talk on the phone so I shan't bore you with my family details. I will say the spinning is mah-velous dah-link!
Posted by amanda | September 14, 2006 10:46 AM
Posted on September 14, 2006 10:46
Girl you are too cool!! That is so neat that your into geneology now!! GOOD FOR YOU! The yarn is just beautiful...
Posted by Esther | September 14, 2006 2:35 PM
Posted on September 14, 2006 14:35
That sounds really interesting and fun! I'm glad you ahve been enjoying yourself.
Your spinning looks really wonderful Leah! And what a beautiful colorway that is. How did I miss that one??
I'm glad the socks and you have made up too. :)
Posted by Karen | September 14, 2006 3:38 PM
Posted on September 14, 2006 15:38
Oh. My. Gawd. The yarn you spun is just gorgeous. I have completely forgotten about everything your wrote already b/c I'm in awe of that colorway.
Posted by Allison | September 15, 2006 9:33 AM
Posted on September 15, 2006 09:33
Your two ply is beautiful! I have no clue how to make mine look like that!!
Posted by Morgan | September 15, 2006 10:39 AM
Posted on September 15, 2006 10:39
Ooh, I love this yarn even more than the last you showed -- you're spinning lovely stuff!
Posted by Rachel | September 18, 2006 6:34 PM
Posted on September 18, 2006 18:34