Introductions

“We're all ghosts. We all carry, inside us, people who came before us.” 

~Liam Callanan The Cloud Atlas

     During my endless quest for genealogical information on my family, it occurred to me that starting a blog to share information might be a good idea.  Through further research, I learned the concept of having a genealogy blog isn't new and is often used to organize and store information, share photos, stories and recollections with other family members and even better- break through those seemingly endless family brick walls.

My research is currently focusing on the history of the Jackson family in Middlesex County, Virginia which includes Jackson, Kellum, Daniel, Deagle, Yates and Chisley surnames.  There is some information and rumor that the family might be connected to Nicholas Martiau of Jamestown, VA through the Reade family, and I am trying to find some validation for this information.  Other surnames included on my tree include Neighoff, Scheufele, Fangman, Jameson, Coogan, Leahy, McAlinder and a host of others hailing from Germany and Ireland.  I plan to share information from all areas of my tree.

I have also had my DNA tested through Ancestry.com, and I have uploaded my DNA profile to Family Tree DNA in the hopes of finding familial matches.  Genealogical DNA is a new concept for me and comes with a pretty big learning curve.  Luckily for you, the reader, I'm planning on sharing the information I learn about using DNA as a research tool so I can help others in their family tree searches.  

     Overall, I expect this blog to be an eclectic mix of family information that will include stories, memories, photos, questions, documents and anything else that I come across to share and save for future generations. If anyone out there has a question, might be related or has something to share regarding any of the branches of my tree, please contact me!  I can be found via email at jayleigh75@yahoo.com or on Facebook under Jamie Jackson.