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Tiny Acorns & Mighty Oaks

Tiny Acorns & Mighty Oaks

The Lives They Lived


  • July 23, 2026

    John Edwards Maynard (1786-1829)

    Maynard Family History Part II I researched my paternal Maynard line for years before, with the assistance of another new-found distant cousin, Robert H. Waters of Sussex, England, we finally broke down the brick wall for John Edwards Maynard, my 4X great grandfather (Robert’s 3X great grand uncle). The incredible story that we unearthed about… Continue reading

    paternal history
    australia, captain patrick logan, lenawee county michigan, maynard family history, moreton bay, penal colonies, sussex england
  • July 23, 2026

    The Manley’s of Easton, Massachusetts

    Throughout the years I have successfully traced my direct Manley lineage to the early colonies, with the first Manley arriving sometime in the early 1600s. My 8X great grandfather, William Manley, Sr. (1643-1717) is credited as the second settler of Easton, Massachusetts, Clement Briggs was named as the first. Although I can account for him… Continue reading

    paternal history
    easton-massachusetts, hayward, king phillips war, manley, phillips, weymouth colony
  • July 23, 2026

    Childhood Memories Part III

    When I was nine we moved to the fire station and dad became the full-time truck driver and station manager. We lived in a large apartment above the station. Bob and I loved all the activity of living down town. It was a great adventure. Especially for Bob as the train tracks were just outside… Continue reading

    memoir
    chase, family story, manley, tecumseh michigan
  • July 23, 2026

    Childhood Memories Part II

    Milk was delivered by the milkman (Art Deffler) who put it in the refrigerator if we weren’t home. The door was never locked. We bought our groceries at Andersons down town in Tecumseh. We didn’t have a car so the groceries were delivered by horse and buggy by Ernie Van Vleet. Mother would usually go… Continue reading

    memoir
    manley, tecumseh michigan, chase, family story
  • July 23, 2026

    Childhood Memories Part I

    Some time ago my paternal Aunt, Marilyn Ruth (Manley) Kilbourn, my father’s sister, emailed me a document she’d written of her childhood memories growing up in Tecumseh, Michigan in the late 1930’s through the 1940’s.  I have read the many pages at least half a dozen times and with each reading, I’m transported to a… Continue reading

    memoir
    chase, family story, manley, tecumseh michigan
  • July 23, 2026

    Melissa Maria (Walker, Fuller) Gurin (1849-1920)

    Melissa is important in my tree for many reasons, not the least of which would be that the Walker family lineage stretches back several centuries to ‘Old Plymouth Colony’ and my descendancy from Melissa connects me with early 1600’s colonial roots in America.   I have not yet determined the generational relationship between myself and Widow… Continue reading

    paternal history
    gurin, lenawee county michigan, plymouth colony, walker
  • July 23, 2026

    The Maynard’s of Lenawee County, Michigan

    Maynard Family History Part I My winding journey into the history of my Maynard ancestors begins with Elizabeth (Maynard) Manley (1907-1998), my paternal grandmother. Note that the original intent (and title) of this blog entry was “The Maynard’s of Sussex, England”.  However, as I began to piece together the historical details from my ancestry tree I realized this… Continue reading

    paternal history
    lenawee county michigan, maynard family history, sussex england
  • July 22, 2026

    Franklin Alonzo ‘Frank’ Manley (1848-1891)

    As I explored my family history and pieced together the details of each generation of grandparents, I found that the life of my 2X paternal great grandfather, Franklin Alonzo Manley, was a compelling story.  My research on Frank was important as he was the conduit that connected the New York Manley’s with the Michigan Manley’s of my lineage.… Continue reading

    paternal history
    lenawee county michigan, manley, phillips, tecumseh michigan, train accident

    “The creation of a thousand forests is one acorn.” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson~

    Welcome! My name is Lisa and I’m a family historian with a deep love for discovering the ordinary people whose lives made mine possible. What began as a curiosity has grown into a passion for researching, preserving and sharing the stories, photographs, documents and places that connect generations across time.

    I believe every ancestor – whether they left behind a diary or only a name on a census record – deserves to be remembered. My hope is that this site not only preserves my family’s history for future generations but also inspires others to explore their own roots because every family tree is filled with stories waiting to be rediscovered.

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    Recent Posts and Archives

    • John Edwards Maynard (1786-1829)
    • The Manley’s of Easton, Massachusetts
    • Childhood Memories Part III
    • Childhood Memories Part II
    • Childhood Memories Part I
    • July 2026
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