I've been interested in genealogy since the mid 80s when I researched my family tree for a school project which got me out as far as my great-grandparents.

Fast forward about 15 years and I learn that most branches of my family tree had been extensively researched by other people!  But they were all paper records. So being the computer geek that I am, I spent much time transferring those records into my computer.

Originally I used Parsons Family Origins. I now use Gramps in a Linux environment. Between personal research, entering the handwritten records of others an merging files of other people with whom I share a common relative, I have nearly 11,000 people on record!

Most family trees have some interesting twists and turns behind them and mine is no exception. A few examples:

• I unknowingly dated my third cousin once removed in high school (her great-grandfather and my great-great-grandfather were brothers)
• My wife and I found out we are fourth cousins (our great-great-grandfathers were brothers).
• My grandmother's brother was the stepfather of her grandsons's ex-wife.
• My grandfather's brother married a step-sister (both had parents who were widowed and remarried).