ARE YOUR GHOSTS YOUR ANCESTORS?

I frequently am a guest on talk radio shows, especially in the paranormal community. One of the most popular topics I share information about is the concept that ancestors may come back to haunt us. Now... by "haunt," I do not mean the frightful type of spirit visitation, rather I speak of the guiding spirit. In other words, an ancestor who has passed on and is making their presence known to us in a manner that has our best interest in mind (and spirit).

In a manner of speaking, these ghostly ancestors are the real skeletons in our closet! I have a few websites that are free and easy to use to help you discover the skeletons that might be in your closest. Here's a preview of the article. If you would like to read the full article, just follow the  link to my Website: No strings attached, no registering of your name is required.

Get Those Skeletons Out of Your Closet: Find Your Own Ghosts! by Elizabeth Eagan-CoxArticle written for Denise Robbins web site: Book-A-Week Challenge. September 26, 2009
Copyright belongs to Elizabeth Eagan-Cox.
Use of this material is by permission only. Do Not Violate author's copyrights.

Get Those Skeletons Out of Your Closet: Find Your Own Ghosts!
By Elizabeth Eagan-Cox, author of the Shannon Delaney paranormal mystery Series.

As an author of a paranormal mystery novel series I use genealogical research techniques to bring to life some of my characters… especially the ghost characters, whom I treat as real characters, not mere novelties.

Discovering my own ancestry has been a journey of self-discovery. I believe that when you unravel the facts regarding the births, marriages and deaths of your ancestors, you find intrinsic information about yourself.

I was the first in my family to connect the dots all the way back to Revolutionary War Patriots of America in the 1700s. Because of being able to authenticate my lineage with evidential proof provided in vital records and military files, I joined one of the oldest lineage societies in America: the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, known in American culture as The D.A.R.

I know from having taught genealogy and helping others that my journey into documenting family ancestry of over 300 years ago is not unique! Anyone curious enough to want to know more about where they came from can do what I did. As your time and schedule allow, I urge you to find your own ghosts!

Here's a few easy and free ways to get started taking the first steps back in time to meet your ancestors:

1. Get the facts down on paper. Using some kind of form is the easiest way to
organize and chart the lineage you are hunting for. This web site provides free forms that you can download and print up: www.misbach.org. From the menu on the left, click "Free Stuff."

2. Finding the dearly departed. Start with death records and trace an ancestor's
life from death to birth. If your ancestors are buried near you, go to the cemetery, locate their grave and then go to the cemetery office. Ask for burial records. A cemetery/burial record will provide additional information, you may want to order an official death certificate and a burial record will indicate in which county the death is recorded. Most often, death records are kept at county clerk level. If you don't know the place of burial, try this web site...   TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE GO TO:http://www.ElizabethEaganCox.net/id26.html