This is my way of talking through my research on my family tree and I know you will be a huge help to me.

It all started a few few years ago in the spring of 2005. My mother and I were talking about whom we were supposedly related to and became frustrated at having no positive proof. Actually, when it came right down to it, we really knew very little about our ancestors. I wasn't even sure about my grandparents names! So, now you know the why.

Our first stop was the Harriman Public Library. We mistakenly searched for "EXACT" information in the census and other documentation. Needless to say, we found little.

Once we started to search for information that wasn't so "exact", we found my grandparents in the census. We weren't quite sure at this point so our next stop was the Historical Society. With the help of the historins we confirmed it. Wtih their help we were able to go even further back! I cannot describe the excitement I felt. It was like finding a nugget of gold. Crazy huh? I believe at that moment, I became addicted to genealogy and tracing my family tree.

After that first day, I became the main researcher. I began walking to the Rockwood Public Library near where we live. They have a room for Genealogy reasearch! I love spending hours pouring over the census and other records.

I will start with my Mitchell ancestors. After only three generations, I have come to a brick Wall! My Father is Leon Mitchell and his father is Claud Raymond Mitchell and his father is Joseph A Mitchell or as the 1900 census says James A Mitchell. That is as far back as I can go.

He, Joseph A Mitchell married Eliza G Goddard 1879 feb. A year later in Jan they had their firstborn. James A Mitchell. This is the only mention of him. I know he lived because in a later census it stated that she had 7 children and all lived! So, where are you James?

These are my great uncles and aunts: May of 1882 they had another son, Edward Mitchell. He became a Carpenter. In March of 1884 they had a daughter named Peris. This is the last mention of her as well. In March 1886 Charles Ottis Mitchell was born. Sep 1889 William was born. He never married and he died young. Elsie is next and she was born in Feb 91'. Bonnie was born in Nov 93'. Last is my grandfather, Claude Raymond Mitchell. He was born April 96'. I will go into further detail about the information I found on them later.

Wed March 21 2007, I plan to walk to the library and do more research on them. But first, here are some questions that I am stumped on:

1. Where did Joseph A Mitchell come from? The census states he and his parents were from TN. I have searched the census but so far no luck. Charles Ottis's death certificate says he was from Grainger co. So far I have ruled out those I thought could possibly be him. This information could have been wrong about Grainger co..

Question 2. When did he die and where is he buried? I know he died between 1900 and 1910. Eliza is a widow in 1910. I know where she is buried but not him! I have searched through the records in the library and Historical Society. Nothing!! In early 1900 a small pox outbreak was in Harriman where they lived. I wonder if possibly he died from small pox? if so, did they burn the bodies?

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