Hi, everyone!

My name is Margaret B.  I live in southern NM and am a 2nd grade teacher.  I was bitten by the genealogy bug about 30 years ago and have pursued it as a hobby ever since.   It's something that I want to pass along to my children, grandchildren and other members of my family.

Searching for my roots has brought great enjoyment into my life, and because of it I've met many new cousins.  I've enjoyed helping others with their family history as well, and have made lasting friendships in the process. 

I feel that genealogy is very important because if it weren't for our ancestors, we wouldn't be here today.  I feel adamant about finding the "truth" about our ancestors, and not accept the stories that have floated around for generations.  Some stories have great truths in them, but as the stories are passed down, the untruths get added.  Finding out the real truth is the key.

I believe that everyone should be proud of their heritage and find out to the best of their ability about their ancestors.  I believe that that is one of the problems with our youth today...they really aren't proud of their heritage.  If we could get them 'hooked' on genealogy and seek their true heritage, I believe it could change some of their lives.

I have learned more history in my quest for my ancestors than I ever did in school.  Now, I know a little more and better understand what life was like for them due to many records, such as land  records, church records, deeds, wills, probates, death records, cemetery records, tax and census records.  These all tell me so much about them and who they were.  It tells me how hard life was for them, how hard they worked, how much family meant to them, and so many other things that make them come to life.

I know that my great great grandparents Jeremiah Gallivan and Catherine O'Sullivan came over from Ireland about 1842.  I think of how terrible it was to leave their parents behind with the possibility of never seeing them again.  How terrible is was for their parents and family as well, knowing they would never share in their children's lives again or even see their grandchildren.

I want my children to know their ancestors as "real" people by placing "flesh" back on their "bones".  I want  our ancestors to be known and give them the due honor they richly deserve by telling their stories.