December 9, 2010

Knowledge of Family Tree

Written by: Treena Ivie, Executive Assistant, CITC Administration Department

It was mid-spring 2010, sitting on the couch at my in-laws, I was mentally going through the evening’s to-do list. Vaguely paying attention to the activities around me, my husband had called my name a few times, if not more. “Treena…Treena….Treena!” He sat at the computer with an annoyed, but excited look on his face. I asked with no subtle hint of irritation in my voice, “What?!” He wanted to share with me his research on his family history, going back to England 16 generations and how the Ivie last name changed from Ivey. Instantly I was intrigued, not only how he figured that out, but about where I come from.

I wanted to see how far back my family roots went and how wide my limbs reached for something that represents who I am. Ultimately, in that moment he gave me the key to the door of my past.

It has been about 9 months since that time. Many frustrations arose while I researched my family tree. I have figuratively tripped over mounds of information. I even had to redo a couple leads, because the information can be very misleading. It is really easy to get caught in the fantasy of possibilities. After all, of my weeding and pruning I found the following concrete information on my past.

For my dad, McCormick (Grandpa’s name) started 5 generations ago but the connections are at 6 generations. The McCormick connections started in Ireland with the birth of my Great-Grandparents (x5) in 1826. Waselie (Grandma’s name) goes 4 generations back and possibly started in the Kenai Peninsula.

For my mom, Antonson (Grandpa’s name) started at least 4 generations ago and Naumoff (grandma’s name) going further is 5 generations. Antonson came to the USA on June 6^th, 1900 with my Great-Grandpa Gustaf, as a 16 year old runaway from his family in Sweden. Naumoff started in Russia with my Great-Grandpa (x5) Peter Naumoff.

My journey is far from over as I keep climbing around and digging up historical papers that prove my past was once alive. I now understand that my sense of spontaneous adventure comes from my Great-Grandpa Gustof and my stubborn unwillingness to give up comes from my Great-Grandpa Peter Naumoff. When I have enough resources, I hope to one day track my roots that continue in Europe. For now, my story pauses.