A couple of years ago, I researched my paternal grandmother’s family. I could hardly believe all the things I found out and was able to put together into a digital scrapbook for my children. I called the book “Little Did I Know…” and the opening page went something like this:

“Sitting in history class was a bore! Somewhere in the back of my mind, I recalled my teacher talking about the Battle of Hastings, and for some odd reason, I always remembered the year 1066 but couldn’t remember much else about it. Little did I know the connection it had not only with Europeans but also with my own family!

“I had heard of people like Mary, Queen of Scots, but little did I know just how close she lived to my ancestors or that, years ago, members of my family personally knew the royal family and well-known military leaders.”

Little did I know that some members of my extended family became famous; one had a close friendship with George Washington and played a significant role in the development of Canada; a couple were famous doctors, some were inventors, and one was a renowned artist. And I was surprised to learn what a significant role Christianity played in the lives of my ancestors.

I remember learning about Louis Riel, the building of the transcontinental railroad, the Boer War, and the bubonic plague — but little did I know then just how much my heritage was woven into these past events.

Nor did I know how it came about that my family would come to Canada and settle in Southwestern Manitoba, where I was born.

Much of the information contained in that book came from ancestry.com and the research other people provided on their own families. Searching the internet also brought several new insights into the times, places and events.

Through my research and handwritten notes from my mother, my sister recently was able to contact two distant cousins we didn’t know of who were now living in the United States.

Through this project, I learned about my grandmother, a lady I had never had the privilege of knowing. I visited her grave and the graves of many other members of her family, and I felt a closer connection to and a better understanding of her and my father.

Learning about your family’s history is a project I recommend to anyone.