Uncovering Hidden Treasures

It is possible to trace our ancestry back to the 16^th and 17^th century through online genealogy websites. One recent discovery reported in the news was a family connection between Abraham Lincoln and actor George Clooney. The family bloodline for both notable figures links to Lincoln’s maternal grandmother Lucy Hanks. Due to this common ancestor, Clooney is Lincoln’s half-first cousin five times removed.

Genealogy can be researched on websites like Ancestory.com. Some of the records featured on the site about Abraham Lincoln include:

• Handwritten Civil War documents and records.  One standout document is a personal letter from Lincoln to General Ulysses S. Grant asking for his son to be stationed in a safe location during the Civil War.
• Handwritten drafts and an illustration depicting the first reading of the Emancipation Proclamation before the cabinet, which declared that all slaves residing in Confederate territory were to be free.
• Lincoln’s family 1860 census record includes Lincoln’s Springfield address, listing his wife Mary, sons Robert, Willie and Thomas, and two servants living in the household.
• Rare drafts of famous historic speeches throughout the legendary presidency.
• Rare photos showcasing historical events during Lincoln’s life are included in the image gallery.
• The original IRS tax assessment listing Lincoln’s presidential salary as $25,000 a year in 1861.

Researching genealogy uncovers a new perspective about our ancestors. My Dad’s brother, Uncle Tom, researched my father’s family and created an invaluable history of my relatives. It was exciting for him to find surprises in family lineage just like it is fun to find hidden treasures when you least expect it.

Today’s gift was to leave an envelope in my grocery cart with these words written on it: “If you found this, it is yours. Have a great day!” Inside there was a Fred Meyer gift card with a Smile Card asking the finder to pay-it-forward. I imagine that whoever found it felt like they had discovered a hidden treasure.

In Giving,

Robin