When I was a teenager I remember my mother standing in the living room, one shoe off, and rubbing her barefoot across the carpet fearlessly. I asked her, “What are you doing?”

“Oh nothing, I just have itchy feet. I guess I’m about to go on a trip.”

Since then when I have an itch on the bottom of my feet I think of what she said. Only thing is, lately, I’ve really had the itch! I’m ready to take a trip. I’ve been home too long. Of course, if I’m traveling I don’t get much writing done, but oh what I get to see, and who I get to talk to.

I’ve been on the computer so much trying to track down my mother’s movements during the year of 1942. The historical society of Mower County, MN has sat at the microfilm table looking at newspaper articles for hours for me. Well that’s probably a good thing since I have trouble sitting still for any length of time. I think I have adult ADHD. Is there such a thing? Well anyway, I think I have it.

It seems as though each week I get new information about my mother. NOW I know why she never wanted to talk about the past. Now, what facts I was able to glean from her I consider gold. Only thing is, it wasn’t the details I hungered for. But oh my goodness I’ve been able to put together a pretty good picture of a mother I never knew.

So my mission is to continue digging and see what else I come up with. Trouble is just when you think you have all the little secrets, you come across something else. My advice to those of you who are just starting to research your ancestors, don’t be surprised what you find. Remember your ancestors are a part of who you are. You can’t get away from that.

Until then………………………..