Being the eldest child of an eldest child, I recall many happy times when, during a family reunion or some other Johnson get-together, my Grandpa Gail and his siblings would be sitting around "chewing the fat" (as they called it.) Once the reminiscing started, I would sit back quietly and listen to all the stories of when they were growing up and some of the, er..."situations" they'd get themselves into. I loved listening as they laughed and talked and remembered details about their childhood. With ten children in the family there was no shortage of mischief around the Johnson house.

I also enjoyed listening to Daddy and his three siblings tell about some of their mis-adventures and recollections. They certainly had their share of tales to tell from their generation. Over the years, as the older folks have passed on and their numbers dwindled, I have come to realize how important it is to remember our ancestors.

I guess that's what got me interested in family history. As people become more "mobile" and families are scattered far and wide by new opportunities, successive generations may not have the close family ties that I had growing up. It seems that in my family, I have become the "historian". I've either inherited or "uncovered" many, many pictures, family records, family heirlooms and stories.

By starting this blog, I hope to interest other family members and younger generations in these family histories. There is always more information to be learned and shared. My greatest desire is that we, as progeny of these stalwart souls, will learn to know and love and even laugh with those who have gone on before us. If you have any information you would like to share, please contact me. Please bear in mind this is a work in progress, so check back often as I hope to add information on a regular basis.