2024 is rapidly coming to a close with this being the last weekend before Christmas. It’s quite fitting that Randy Seaver’s SNGF challenge is our annual “Dear Genea-Santa” letter:

1) Write your 2024 Genea-Santa letter. Have you been a good genealogy girl or boy? What genealogy-oriented items are on your Christmas wish list? They could be family history items, technology items, or things that you want to pursue in your ancestral quest.

Dear Genea-Santa,

I’ve tried my best this year to lend my skills and knowledge to help others as they search their own family history. I’ve researched my cousin’s maternal tree (the side of the family that we don’t share) and I’ve continued to rescue vintage family photos and gift them to living descendants.

Friends in my genealogy class thanked me yesterday at our annual holiday brunch for teaching them about new resources and techniques and for making the class interesting. I’m very proud of that accomplishment.

I’ve also tried to help random readers – and even a new friend I met on our recent cruise – get started in their quest to learn about their own family histories.

Genea-Santa, for the longest time, one of the items on my wish list was to learn what happened to my 5X great grandfather, Anders Molin, and that wish was an extra-fun Christmas present last year. Therefore, I have hope that perhaps you’ll be extra generous this year with this year’s wish list, especially since I am not asking for very much:

1. I’d love some new clues abut the origins of my Loyalist ancestors Robert and Catherine (MNU) Carlisle.
2. On the Stufflebean side of the family, I’d also love to learn more about my husband’s 2X great grandmother Mary Jane Adams’ parents and origins, which seem to point to South Carolina.
3. I’d also like a small genea-budget – maybe about $100 to join some new societies this year.
4. Lastly, Genea-Santa – please grant the wishes of all my genea-buddies.

There will be some homemade Christmas cookies waiting for you on Christmas Eve when you visit.

Merry Christmas, Genea-Santa, and to everyone else, too!