A shout out to Cheryl, and all the help she has given me. I was curious about my mom’s side of the family and how we immigrated to America from France. What she found out amazed me! Cheryl discovered the story of my great-grandfather and how he left France at 15 to start a new life. She provided me with the ship’s manifest with his name on it, and a pristine copy of his naturalization papers. Then his son, my grandfather whom I knew, returned to France to fight in WWI. He survived four major land battles and received a WWI Victory Medal.
I also asked Cheryl to investigate my father’s mother who died during WWII. Her life and death were shrouded in mystery. What Cheryl uncovered could make an A-list movie. My grandmother and two of her three siblings were raised in an orphanage. Their mother was gone, but their father was alive and well with a new wife and children. An interesting and convoluted story from a time long forgotten. I am still wrapping my head around it.
When Cheryl tells you she discovers the story of a person, not just names and dates, she is being modest. What she reveals is nothing short of mind blowing. Thank you, Cheryl! You have incredible research skills, and I am forever indebted to you.