52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks | Week 1

First 

When it comes to my genealogy research there are many "first" I have discovered. First time I saw a microfilm reader in my great grandmothers office. First time I saw a census was truly rewarding. There are so many first for me on this journey. But for this week I wanted to share a different kind of first. The "first Prolo' who came to America from Italy. 

My Great Great Grandfather Giacomo Antonio Polo (Prola in some records) sailed from La Havre to New York on the La Bourgogne ship in February 1897. He was just 24 years old. He and a few friends or relatives with him and they went to Arizona to become miners. Around 1911 Anton moved from AZ to San Jose, California. He lived there with his wife Margaret Prolo. There they grew their family! 

Before coming to California Antonio was born in Sale Castlenuovo, Torino, Italy on November 5 1873. Sale Castlenuovo is in northern Italy, west of Milan north of Turin, just hidden in the mountains.  

Not being familiar with Italian records I am so grateful my grandfather Ken Prolo (Antonio's  grandson) has taken the time to research as much as he can about the Prolo line. With the help of some amazing professionals over in Italy. This little quick look inside my Italian family really inspires me to step out of my comfort zone and really dive deep into this side of the family to learn for myself. 

| Research | Getting Out of my Comfort Zone

Whenever I sit down to begin researching a new family I get very overwhelmed. Where should I look, and where do I even begin?  Even after years of researching I still get nervous about starting a new family.

Many times I go back to a family I have already researched. I do a more in-depth look into the family or just redo what I have already done. There are benefits to re-researching families. Sometimes you might find something that was not available at the time or discover something new.

But for me in this case.. it was going back to my comfort zone.

I want to challenge myself again as a researcher. I want to be the best I can be and learn as much as I can. So after 3 hours! (yes you read right) 3 hours I finally decided on a family I will be researching for the next few months.

Meet the Lee family! 

This family is on a different branch of the tree that I barely look at. My dad's side of the family. My Grandpa Prolo's family is from Italy and I know I am NOT ready to start my Italian research. Thank you Grandpa Prolo for taking that into your own hands! So I went to my Grandma Prolo's side of the tree. I am sad to admit I know VERY little about my Grandma Prolo's family, and maybe this is why I was sent this way.

I noticed my tree stopped at Margaret Gree & Jacob Lee. This is where we begin.

Becuase I know very little of Margaret & Jacob I decided to start my research with their son and daughter in law Gordan Lambert and Edna Pohlmann.  This way I can gather more information about the family as a whole as I try to find missing family members.  

Over the next few weeks, I will be providing you with real step by step instructions on how I conduct my research. I am not perfect and still have a lot to learn but hopefully, we can help each other to get to know the Lee family! 

Next Research Post: Premilimary research coming Tuesday 31st  

Youtube Video | Beginning Research pt 1

A quick guide on how to start your own research with Censuses! Tomorrow's post here on the blog will be more detailed information on Census and what you should keep your eyes out for. In the mean time start filling out everything you know right now on your family tree and lets get started!

Thank you for watching and see you tomorrow!

| Ancestor Spotlight | Journals of Grace Gull

Grace Gull was called to Western States Mission in Denver, Colorado. At this time Grace's divorce from Harry Granbery was pending, she had a 22 month old daughter and engaged to a man named Roland Heeder. On the mission Grace would frequently guest the home of the Whitaker family with the other missionaries in the area. Here, she met and fell in love with the son, Berlin. Grace became torn and confused. With a daughter and fiance at home, while serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Grace was lost emotionally in the mission field. As her love for Berlin grew, the Whitaker family did not welcome her into their home.

She writes in her mission Journal:

17 May 1923

Though she tells me to give you up, I cant and will not. Her life is almost spent, I am just beginning mine and hope it is with you.

As her and Berlin's love began to grow they created a secret language to communicate to each other. To this day no one knows how to break the lovers code..... until NOW!!

Last year, I was in the processes of writing my last paper for my degree at BYU. It was all about these journals and her life as a missionary mother. My main goal was to find a way to break the code. One of the best things about college was connections. There I knew someone in the field would know how to break this code. I had my dear friend Amber put to the test, and in less then 24 hours she broke it and had it all translated. 

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

K

L

M

UnK

N

O

P

Q

R

S

T

U

V

W

X

Y

Z

Unk

Unk

My mind is still blown from this. Three generations passed. And now it is saved. She writes 

February 26- Tuesday

“The thing which I have been fighting so long has at length taken possession of my whole soul I have prayed and prayed for help that I might overcome my desires for him . but they increase - rather than decrease after the D we talked of things ------ the thing is we cannot trample on someone else to enjoy our happiness.

I hope he calls at six.”

March 15

‘I am thinking of you sitting near me - that I can feel the caress of your hand - that you are telling me of your love- what it means to you.  I am wondering where you are at this time- if there comes to you a longing for your sweetheart- as there is in my heart. I shall go to bed with these things on my mind- and think of them until sleep overtakes them...

If we want happiness dear, we must stand the tempest- because when we once embark, there is no turning back. It is for time and eternity.”

Within five month of the May 1923 journal entry Grace had passed away. Berlin and Grace were sealed in 1967 along with Grace's daughter, Derelys. 

Every time I write about Grace, I feel a love unlike any other. The more I learn about her, the more I want to be like her. (Well I could pass on a few things) But  the amount of love she gives to people is unreachable. 

Grace Gull, Missionary Journal: 5.
Derelys Anthony, "Mama," Mama and Me, 1-2.

The Decoding of Grace’s letters and diaries was done by Brigham Young University Family History- Genealogy Student, Amber Larsen on February 10 2017

YouTube Video | Visiting Cemeteries Part 1

Sorry this video is a day late! This weekend , well, life happened. This is part one of this series where I go around and visit as many cemeteries as I can.

Please like and give feedback and let me know what you would like to see next! 

My Favorite Genealogy Apps

I am not afraid to admit it. Im addicted to apps! Picture apps, lifestyle apps, fitness apps, ANY APP. So over the years I have found my favorite genealogy apps (and least favorite, but we keep it positive here) and I am here to share them with you! 

After visiting Roots Tech I know there are many new apps coming out, but for today here are my GO TO apps I use almost every day! 

Family Search & Family Search Memories

I am very blessed that many people in my family love genealogy as much as I do. So I want to have all the latest finds at my fingertips. I use the Family Search app to have my tree accessible at anytime so I can do quick look ups. Family Search Memories is just the memories for  your family all in one place. This makes it easy if I need a picture of my great great grandfather to show off. 

Find A Grave

Find a grave has saved me more then once. While visiting my great grandmothers grave in Los Angeles, California, my mom and I could not remembered where she was buried ( embarrassing I know). I looked on Find a Grave and there was ALL the information I needed to find her burial.  I even took the liberty to take a picture and upload it right to the app so know we can see her marker right there! And will find it quicker next time. 

Ancestry & Ancestry DNA

Now don't get me wrong. If I could be home on my desktop computer doing genealogy all day I TOTALLY WOULD. But there are times I am out and about and have a few minutes to spare. I use the ancestry app to just get some quick finds. Its usually just reviewing hints that were all ready found for me. This really helps me keep moving forward in my family history work. And it keeps me off of mindless apps ( cough.... facebook) 

Ancestry DNA I have so I can show it off to who ever will listen to me :) 

JRNL

JRNL is an amazing app I discovered during our monthly Genealogy Meeting. Its a journal on your phone. You can add pictures, share it with friends/family, and it has promptings to help you start a journal entry that you dont know what to say. I mostly use it again when I don't have my actual paper journal with me and I am at ease that my memories will be kept on an app! 

Billion Graves 

Just like the other apps, its just a great little tool to have on hand if you are not next to a computer and have to find a grave or a record... what you don't go to cemeteries for fun? That's weird. 

I have many more apps I use and will definitely share those in the future! Hopefully you found this helpful and let me know what apps you use to do your own family history research! 

MY YouTube Channel

I cant believe I am doing this! I have made a big leap of faith and start a Youtube channel. This channel is to help enhance our learning together when it comes to family history. I am not sure exactly how its going to end up but I am excited and nervous to put this out in the world.

My goal is to upload every Sunday and have fun content that will make you WANT to get to know your own family! 

This first video is a simple how to start indexing.  Please feel free to give me feedback. I want this channel to grow and improve every upload

Thank you for your support! 

Enjoy