Hi everyone!
It's time to get to know another one of our wonderful WikiTreers. This week's member is Fran Weidman.
Fran became a Wiki Genealogist in April 2018. She just passed 100,000 contributions(!) and is most active in our England Project.
When and how did you get interested in genealogy?
I was about 10 years old when my mother showed me a small family tree. It didn't go beyond my grandparents, which bothered me. Nobody in my family had any interest in genealogy, so most of my questions were ignored. I felt I needed to go back further and find out who my ancestors were, where they lived, and what they did.
What is your genealogical research focus?
Originally, I just wanted to add my family and get their names out there. Later I realized that I didn't want to be just a "name-collector", so I am now going back to find out more about them, and get their stories told. The fact that WikiTree allows us to write biographies and truly remember people makes a huge difference.
What are some of your interests outside of genealogy?
I really enjoy gardening, as well as cooking. I live in a rural area with a lot of space, so I grow my own food and preserve it for the winter. I love meeting new people, and occasionally volunteer at a local food pantry. I also rescue stray cats, and currently have several that were saved from the streets of Chicago. And this summer I plan on fostering dogs that are waiting to be adopted into permanent homes (shhhh...don't tell my husband).
Do you have a favorite genealogical discovery?
My favorite genealogical discovery was when I found out that my great grandfather Anton Blum's family were Yenish (travelers, gypsies). I had never heard of these people. They were tinkers who made brushes and baskets. I actually have a brush that my grandfather made, but never knew that there was a story behind it.
Do you have a WikiTree "feel-good" story?
Yes! My husband had a long-lost aunt that we spent years looking for, but couldn't find. We had no idea if she was dead or alive. Well, several years ago, one of her children happened across one of my profiles through a Google search, and I soon received a message from the aunt. I had never met her, so after explaining who I was, we all spent hours having an online "family reunion", catching up after a 30-year absence and exchanging photos and stories. It was a very happy day, and we are still in touch. If it hadn't been for WikiTree, we would have never found her.
What is your toughest brick wall currently?
That would be my 4th gr-grandfather, Georg Schröter. We have never been able to find out much about him or who his parents were, although he comes from an area of Germany that I am not at all familiar with.
How long have you been on WikiTree?
I joined WikiTree in 2018, after stumbling upon it during an Internet search. I had seen it pop up before, but assumed it was like all the other genealogy sites. So I joined, thinking that I would just add "my" tree and be done. But suddenly I was being greeted and welcomed by such friendly people - whaaat? No other site did that, and I was immediately intrigued. Once I found out that this was ONE big tree, I was hooked. There was no more "my tree" or "your tree". I love the concept, the people, and the collaboration.
(Interview continues in comments)
