Thursday, April 26, 2012

Why "The Flying Genealogist?"

Why "The Flying Genealogist?"  Well, it's what I do.  Flying is my outdoor hobby and genealogy is my indoor hobby.  When I can combine the two -- it's nirvana.

I've been flying since the mid 1990s.  My husband took me flying while we were dating. I got the bug, learned to fly, and bought my own airplane. I've logged about 900 hours. That doesn't take into account the hours I've flown with my husband, friends, or simply hung out at the airport. Although I haven't been doing genealogy as long, I've logged a heck of a lot more than 900 hours.  

If you're into genealogy, you get it.  A friend and former Regent of my DAR Chapter, Barbara Tackett Konat and her husband Henry once said they talk about their lives as BG or AG -- Before Genealogy and After Genealogy. 

How do I combine flying and genealogy?  For the most part, I fly, rather than drive when I want to travel to conduct research, visit cemeteries, or attend family reunions.  I can cover a lot more territory and have more fun getting there than I would in a car. 

One favorite destination is West Virginia.  I love to attend the Houghton Family Reunion at Walnut Grove United Methodist Church in Clay County, West VA.  It's 150 miles and a long 4.5 hour drive from my home in Virginia. By air, it's about 90 minutes -- without the winding roads.  

This blog is dedicated to the journeys I've taken with my trusty straight tail Cessna or via my research into the past.    

Till next time, keep the blue side up ... Lynn