Dear Genea-Santa....

Dear Genea-Santa,

I have tried very hard to be good this year working on my genealogy research. It wasn't always easy to actually do "real work" around the house. Sometimes I would get tied up with my family tree and forget to dust and clean and yes, I even ordered out for dinner probably a few too many times. I bet I spent a little too much money for all those vital records I ordered too, but I did use my "allowance." I could have saved a little more money if I would have made the trips to the county clerk's office instead of using PayPal too.

Santa, I really did try to be good and make new family connections, cite my sources, digitized some family photos, and continue my family research. Because I was nice instead of naughty, I would like to ask for a couple of presents for Christmas this year.

First of all, I would give up my allowance for one WHOLE year, for my great grandmother Eva Belle Hanaway's family bible. I just know she would have kept one and she would have added all of her children's information as well as her parents. She might have even stuck some family black and white photographs inside too. I really don't know where it is, but it might be in one of my cousins attic just collecting dust. Maybe one of your elves could help look for it!

Second, because I love taking pictures of my children and my family, I would love to have a family picture of my great great grandparents Katharine and Charles Ball with their daughter Alma. That's right Santa, all three of them together, in the same picture. I know it would be real old and in black and white, but that's okay. They don't have to be smiling in the picture. One of these days, I might get desperate and photo shop them together which might look a little strange because the only picture I have of Great Great Grandpa Charles is when he was about 18 years old and the pictures I have of Great Grandma Alma is when she is over forty years old. See what I mean about it looking a bit strange?

Last of all Santa, because my family has the best times just sitting around eating and laughing together, I would love to spend a little time with any of my ancestors you can gather anytime you want (if only in my dreams!)....yep, you see by spending some time together and sharing stories and laughter I'll have some great memories to write about and keep in my heart. I promise I'll even COOK!

Thank you Santa. I love ya!

Pam