An Unexpected Discovery
"I promise that if you will keep your journals and records, they will indeed be a source of great inspiration to your families, to your children, your grandchildren, and others, on through the generations. Each of us is important to those who are near and dear to us and as our posterity reads of our life's experiences, they, too, will come to know and love us. And in that glorious day when our families are together in the eternities, we will already be acquainted." ~ Spencer W. Kimball
It is the story that first draws us to our family histories. There is something about us; the researcher, the storyteller, the keeper. This love of lore, or the need to prove or disprove it, is what really lets us hear the call most strongly. “Find us,” the whisper breathes in the early morning hours; it is always the early morning when you are a family historian. I can remember the first night that I really became a researcher. I found a name and then began looking for more information…and more information…and more information. What began as a small project (I was just going to find a little bit of information) before bed, ended with me forcibly closing my laptop at 4:00 the next morning.
The lore connects us. If you are visiting this site it is because you’ve heard the call and you’re seeking your own answers. Genealogy is generally collaborative - it’s connective. It pulls us together to answer our common questions. I know that without the help of others, I wouldn’t have any information, and so I hope to be a help with your research. An Unexpected Discovery began in 2011, although I first became interested in family history in 2010. Here's my story: My interest in family history really began with my grandmother. I came to a moment in my life when I realized that my grandmother - a woman who loved me unconditionally and was a MAJOR part of my childhood - was going to die. With that realization, I decided to do something that I had never done before: I recorded my grandmother before she passed away. |
When I was growing up, my parents recorded major events like birthdays and holidays. But, as I expressed my concerns about my grandmother, I was given this piece of advice: As far as your family is concerned, have no regrets. I took that to heart. Now I've got recordings of my grandparents, my parents, and even friendly strangers - it goes on from there!
My grandparents had preserved a tremendous amount of family history. Although my focus has primarily been recording the information and experiences of my living family members, I value every piece of information that they have given me. I am constantly amazed at the old pictures that I am given (or that I can scan). In the faces of my ancestors I can see my loved ones - and I am always humbled by that.
If you share surnames with me or my family, I hope that you find some interesting information! The pages of this site are designed to be an "interactive" family tree. The "White," "Wylie," and "Knappe" pages function as the "home" page for the interlacing genealogical sites. They are my maternal and paternal lines, as well as my husband's family, and the pages that connect to them represent the families that married into them (and the families that married into those families). If you know who you are looking for, you can always use the search box (see above) to take you right where you want to go! Feel free to poke around.
Happy Hunting!
Heather
My grandparents had preserved a tremendous amount of family history. Although my focus has primarily been recording the information and experiences of my living family members, I value every piece of information that they have given me. I am constantly amazed at the old pictures that I am given (or that I can scan). In the faces of my ancestors I can see my loved ones - and I am always humbled by that.
If you share surnames with me or my family, I hope that you find some interesting information! The pages of this site are designed to be an "interactive" family tree. The "White," "Wylie," and "Knappe" pages function as the "home" page for the interlacing genealogical sites. They are my maternal and paternal lines, as well as my husband's family, and the pages that connect to them represent the families that married into them (and the families that married into those families). If you know who you are looking for, you can always use the search box (see above) to take you right where you want to go! Feel free to poke around.
Happy Hunting!
Heather
Online ExhibitAn Unexpected Discovery's has a great online exhibit! Click the button below to learn about the life, family, and inventions of Texas inventor Ezra A. Frantz!
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The FamiliesAn Unexpected Discovery features information on the Wylie, White, and Knappe families. Visit each family page to learn more about these in-laws and out-laws!
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