My Thoughts

When I would think of my 4 grandparents, Berneice, Leo, Gladys and GJ, I always had a specific ethnicity attached to each one.  Berneice was Swedish, Leo, German.  Gladys was Native American and GJ, Irish.  Like many other Americans, the reality of my ancestry is a collection of different ethnicities and nationalities, and if you go backward far enough, the truth of what I had always thought then becomes true and verified.  Each family line presents its own unique research complications.  When I began this tribute to my 2nd great grandmothers, I did not intentionally postpone Charlotte "Lottie" Blomberg.  As it happens, if I had began this project with Lottie, I probably would've given up and not attempted the others.  What I have found through this project, however, is a strength of character and fierce determination in each of these women that I see in myself and in the eyes of each of my daughters.  I truly do not think it can be said enough t...

In total, I have 8 great great grandmothers, or as is more sophisticated to say, 2nd great grandmothers.  The first ones I researched were the 2 grandmothers to my grandfather GJ Slayton (1904 - 1989).  Yea, that's a mouthful.  When I was born, GJ Slayton was already 63 years old.  He had lived a long time and seen many things before I came along.  The few things I learned about Papa came from his wife, Gladys or from one of his many daughters.  Honestly, I never considered that Papa even gave a second thought to me. So, not knowing much about him or his family is not surprising. I have to say that my grandfather on my mother's side, Leo Stephen Hayes (1913 - 1984), fared little better.  Although I was so fascinated by him, Grandpa seemed so dismissive of me.  I was a teenager with acne and an attitude when both my grandfathers passed.  I knew my mother's parents moved alot.  I also knew that at one time, they lived in Kansas in a...