I don’t know about you, but from time to time I find myself adopting ancestors. They are not usually part of my direct family line or maybe not a part of my family at all. I especially feel compelled to adopt someone who did not have any children and therefore there is no one “looking for them.” That’s how I feel about it. With my own ancestors, I’m looking for them in records, books, and cemeteries. These people who did not have children probably don’t have anyone looking for them. So, when I find them, I’m compelled to research and then tell a little bit more of their story.

I have two that I’m going to share in two separate posts. But I’ll give you a bit of background that will probably get repeated.

First, my great-aunt Alice Irene Sly. She is in my family but not a direct ancestor. She died at the age of 27 from tuberculosis. The family moved to Arizona to help her health. She married but never had any children.

Second, Elizabeth Birdwistle. She arrived in Canada as one of the British Home Children, an orphan from England, and sent to Canada to be adopted by a family. She did not marry or have children. She moved to the Chicago area where she died.

I’ll share their stories in the next two posts. I’m curious if you “adopt” ancestors along the way?