Skip to main content

Welcome to Jerry Grandon's Family History Blog

Ever since I can remember I have loved looking at pictures and hearing the stories that went with them.   It is learning history on a personal level.  It feeds my curiosity, and it feeds my craving to solve puzzles.   My hobby has evolved from looking through old photo albums, scrapbooks, microfilm, and library stacks to searching databases, email, and family forums together with countless others who share the same interest.  It is an exciting time for family research!

In addition to having fun with the hobby, my ultimate goal is to put all of this together for my son Jeremy, my grandson Felix, and future generations so that they may know a little more about their family and those who came before them.  This blog is a step toward that end.

I also hope this blog can become a forum for all of us to share stories and photos.

To get us started, here is a great picture of Jeremy, Elizabeth, and Felix Grandon, taken earlier this year celebrating his first day of pre school.


On the other end of our family tree, is Major Simon Willard, who is the first member of our tree to settle in the "new world" and colonize what is now the United States.  He is my 9x Great Grandfather, through the Banta, Willard line.  In later blog posts I will share charts that illustrate the family tree, but for today check out the picture below.   It marks the spot and commemorates an event which occurred nearly 400 years ago, when 9xGreat Grandpa Willard led a group which established what is now known as Concord, Massachusetts.  Much more to share about this notable branch of the tree, including the founding of Harvard University.

Two nice references documenting the Willard genealogy and history, can be found at the following links:
https://archive.org/details/willardmemoiror00willgoog
https://archive.org/details/willardgenealogy00will

So let me know what you think.  This is my first attempt at a blog, so it may be a little "clunky" getting started but with your support and suggestions, I am looking forward to it!

more later,
Jerry

Comments

  1. BarbaraNovember 23, 2014 at 9:51 AM

    I am looking forward to this enjoyable ride through history.

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousJanuary 9, 2025 at 8:09 PM

    Jerry, what a beautiful thing to put together for us all to understand our history/lineage, separate fact from lore, and enjoy telling stories and sharing memories…I would like to gift each of the siblings and our children copies of this book…please let me know when these will be available. Thanks again! Dan

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Gee Gee

Gee Gee, 1966 When her first grandchild was learning how to talk, he pronounced "grandma" as “Gee Gee” (hard G as in geek).  Everyone thought that was cute, especially Gee Gee!  From that day forward she was Gee Gee to her grandchildren and her great-grandchildren that followed.     There are three things I remember most about visiting Gee Gee as a child.  First, she was unable to walk after breaking her hip and had to use a wheelchair to get around.  Otherwise, Gee Gee was very  sturdy and loved to hold and hug her little ones.  However it was the wheelchair that fascinated us. The big wheels, the handlebars to push, and the brake to stop.  We all begged to go for rides in the chair and take turns pushing her around the house.   It was a big deal for us!  Another fascinating thing was the piano she had in her living room.   All the kids loved to press on the keys trying to plunk out a melody or perform a re...
10 comments
Read more

Dear Nina - A Father's letter to his Daughter about the Mother she never knew.

    Nina Stearns-Smith , 1927 Nina Stearns-Smith Banta(1910-2012), my grandmother, and I met periodically to share the latest news over coffee.  She knew I was interested in family history and loved to share stories and photos of our ancestors. One day I asked, “What was it like growing up in Colorado?”     Nina and Grandma Smith, 1913 “Hmmm,” she started. “Well, I was actually born in Denning, Arkansas, but my mother died when I was a baby.  After that, I lived with Grandma and Grandpa Smith until I was about four years old.”  As she began to tell the story, her eyes became distant and her voice softened, as I sensed her going back to that place and time.   "I had fun when I was with Grandma Smith.  They had a house in town and a farm where I would help feed the chickens.  I loved helping on the farm.           Then one day they took me to a faraway place, to see my father and his new wife. ...
4 comments
Read more

In The Beginning

Hey everybody, check out my latest short story about events and ancestors of our family tree.    This story goes way back to Christmas Eve 1954!   Let me know what you think and any fun memories you would like to share.  In the Beginning The doorbell rang loud as the family gathered to exchange gifts at the Grandon home on Haviland Ave in Hayward, California.  It was Christmas Eve, 1954 and all had arrived hours before.  Who could be at the door this late they wondered?    When Grandma May answered the door no one was there.   Just a small, neatly wrapped, untagged package placed neatly on the doorstep.  “Well, it looks like we have a secret Santa in town!” she smiled, examining the box.    Everyone had the same curious look as she scanned each face looking for a clue as to who might know about this mysterious gift.   “Open it up Mom!” her children shouted, excited to see what had been left. Jerry and Pat gave ea...
4 comments
Read more