Who am I?

Hello, I am Cora Pruim. I’m a stay at home mom with two children, a husband, and one dog. Although, my oldest has graduated and decided to live on their own. I am a loving, caring, friendly, and some would say a talkative person. Also, I love to learn new things. Starting this blog has been a huge learning opportunity for me.

What am I doing?

Yes, blogging is new to me. Genealogy research is not so new. I have been doing my family history research occasionally for almost 20 years. Since we are in a pandemic, I started genealogy regularly. So a few months ago I decided to become a certified genealogist. I want to inspire others to look into their own family history by telling stories of my ancestors. Researching genealogy feels like I am the bridge between my ancestors and my descendants.

As the time goes on, I want to put my ancestor’s names and families on here so I have one place for all of them. My family will be able to see them also. I also want to expand my genealogy research abilities to help others find their genealogy. I know this is a work in progress.

Why?

I hope to inspire you to learn about your family history. Ancestry is important for learning the history of ancestors. I love learning and understanding the challenges my ancestors faced.

I have a copy of a piece my great grandmother wrote for a booklet “History of Mercer County, North Dakota”. In this article, my great grandmother told about how they came over to the United States, traveled by train and wagon, and then settled in North Dakota. Her father learned to read and write in English by buying a book that was written in English and German.

She also wrote,

“One time shortly before I was confirmed I had to stay at home to do the cooking. After the others had left, a whole line of wagons came into the yard. I certainly was scared as they were all Indians [Native Americans]. It was in the fall and the citrons [melons] were outside. They each took one and held them up, asking if they could have them. I said, “Yes,” and they went their way, except one boy who stayed behind and asked for butter. I had to go down into the deep root cellar to get the butter. We had watermelons in the cellar. He asked, “Why were those in the cellar?” I told him the others had to be cooked before they could be eaten. I gave him one, and he gave me the hankie he had around his neck. Then he left on horseback. They threw the citrons into the grass by the road after they found they could not eat them.”

I grew up eating some German food. My grandmother made some good food. These are a few if them:

• Kuchen (ku-ken)
• Fleischkuechle (Flesh-Keek-Luh)
• Knoephla Soup (neh-fla)
• Cheese Buttons

I miss her cooking. Thankfully, her recipes are in a safe home. I hope one day I will get a copy of them. I remember watching her cook/bake when I was little. I wondered for a long time, especially when I started to cook myself, how she could just add things to the pots and bowls without a recipe and the food turn out tasting so good. I was mad at myself at first since I didn’t have that talent. I have learned to cook better and am able to do that to some meals. I still use recipes for some meals.

What am I going to write about?

I have some ideas for my posts. Some of those ideas are:

• Family Stories
• Memorials
• Tips
• How-to
• Product Reviews
• Rants/Raves

I also want to use Amy Johnson Crow’s 2020 and 2021 lists of 52 Ancestors in 52 weeks for inspiration. You can read her post here.

If you have an specific ideas that you want me to write about contact me.

I would love for you to come back and visit.