WELCOME TO THE MEAD FAMILY TREE SITE!

I have always loved history. Since I was a boy, I could imagine living in a different time and a different place. I loved stories of the old times. I have always loved the history of the United States, and I love the history of New York State. Family history has always been fun for me too. I used to enjoy listening to the old folks pass the time “visiting” about family stories and family history. Even today, my favorite part of family gatherings is talking about the old days.

I guess that was the start of my research. I recall as a child wondering who wrote all this stuff down. It wasn't until later that I realized that very few people have written these stories and family history down. I felt compelled as a young adult to begin the mechanics of documenting the family dates and facts. That took me several years of research, and many trips around New York State, tromping through graveyards and driving through small towns and villages, mesmerized with the thoughts that my ancestors walked these same footsteps so many years ago. I met many relatives I never knew I had, and collected stories, photos, and countless memories along the way.

At some point I felt that I had filled in the framework of our family, with the facts of birth, marriage and death records, but something was missing. When I sat back and looked at the many pages of handwritten, and later computer generated information that I had compiled, it felt satisfying to have compiled so many facts, but it felt empty and sad without the lives that made it come true. I decided it was time to make the history come alive. Like when we sat around the dining room table talking to the old folks about life in their day. That was what was missing.

This site is a combination of both of these research items. I will share with you the facts and figures that I have gathered - organized by family, and I will share as many stories and interesting tidbits as I can about as many family members as possible. I came to realize as our family grew, that we had so many different influences on our lives. This record is intended to help those that come after me to see the similarities in our generations. It is also so that we can realize that the strength of our ancestors is what has made so many opportunities for the rest of us.