First of all, thanks to all of you who participated in the win-a-great-memoir contest. Short and long, the family stories posted in the comments were great. I urge you to read all the them if you didn't when you posted your own story or if you're just checking in now. And the winner, chosen by Random.org, is... #11, a story of a family journey from small town
Survival in Paradise by Manfred Wolf
Contest: Tell Us About Your Family’s Journey, Win a Great Memoir
Besides changing their names, one of the greatest banes of family historians is that ancestors move around—and aren't always considerate enough to leave accurate records of their new addresses. They move for a variety reasons—some to strike out and start a better life, others, like many of my relatives, to flee imminent danger. I'm often amazed at how little I knew about