My name is Vicki Ward, and I'd like to welcome you to my web site.
I've chosen to start this site with a picture of some of my ancestors, on my mother's side of the family. They are, from left to right: my great-grandmother, Sarah Ellen Swiger Gleason; her daughter, Francis C. Gleason Silcott; her son, Walter P. Gleason; her parents, (my great-great-grandparents), Lewis Cass Swiger and Nancy Jane Dean Swiger; and her daughter, (my grandmother), Florence I. Gleason Lawson.
This picture was taken prior to 1913, as that is when Nancy Jane died. Lewis Cass died in 1914. This photo was taken at Lewis and Nancy's home on Yankee Hill, Pike County, Ohio, about 6 miles from where I now live. The house is now gone.
The reason I decided to start this site out in this way is because I often wonder what our ancestors would think or say if they were here today, and took a look around. Since I've been wondering for quite some time now how to present the information in all the different topics I want to talk about, and still bring about some sort of cohesiveness to this site, this seems like the best way to approach matters. I've attempted to look through their eyes and tell you what I see.
I became interested in genealogy and local history many years ago, as I watched my mother do work on our family tree, and listened as she told me interesting tales about many of our ancestors. Since that time, I have studied the history of this area from other sources, and have done extensive work on my own family history, as well, in hopes of picking up where my mother and other relatives left off. In the process, I found some interesting facts regarding the historical and present day culture and politics of this area, as well as a strength and beauty in the people who settled this area that I do not believe can be adequately described - though I plan to try.
It has become a very important part of my life to share these memories and information with my own children and grandchildren. Likewise, I would now like to share some of these things with you. It's what I see when I look through my "fathers' eyes."
