Author Archives: familytreegirl

About familytreegirl

Shelley Murphy, aka “familytreegirl”, a native of Michigan residing in Central Virginia, Shelley has been an avid genealogist for over 25+ years researching the Davis, Marsh, Goens/Goins/Goings, Roper, Boyer, Worden, Cureton, and Murphy family lines. She is a Coordinator and faculty for the Midwest African American Genealogy Institute (MAAGI), presents Genealogy 101 workshops at the local community college, state and national genealogy conferences. She holds a Doctorate of Management in Organizational Leadership and works as an adjunct professor for Averett University. Murphy is known for her inspiring and interactive “Getting Started” Methods and Strategies for genealogy research, “Time and File management” along with interesting problem-solving methodology lectures. Shelley currently has 20+ publications with Charlottesville Genealogy Examiner and the Central Virginia Heritage, a publication of the Central Virginia Genealogical Association. She is an instructor for the Midwest African American Genealogy Institute (MAAGI). Doctor of Management in Organizational Leadership, Adjunct Professor, Professional Genealogist. Volunteers for American Red Cross as a Disaster Services Instructor, facilitates financial education workshops for the last 8 years, and former licensed Real Estate Broker

52Weeks 52Ancestors-Lucky-James Roper

Posted on April 8, 2018

Was James Roper lucky to be born a mulatto and the only child of his father? Let me introduce you to James Roper who was born 12 May 1783 in Jefferson County, Virginia. James died 8 Dec 1867 in Jefferson … Continue reading →

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52Weeks 52Ancestors-Woman!

Posted on March 23, 2018

Meet my 3x great grandmother Sarah Ann “Hart” Goings/Goins/Goens. We have no photos of her or her husband. She was married to Lawson Goens/Goings/Goins, who was born in Loudoun County, Virginia in 1807 and passed in 12 July 1874, in … Continue reading →

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A New Website: African American Civil War Soldiers

Posted on March 21, 2018

Originally posted on Eastman's Online Genealogy Newsletter:
This may be one of the most important history-related web sites launched so far this year. The following announcement was written by John Clegg, a founder of the African American Civil War…

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Getting Started with Genealogy! Fredericksburg VA Women’s Forum

Posted on March 11, 2018

It was my pleasure to present at the Fredericksburg, Virginia Barbara Geslock Women’s forum. As promised I am attaching the power point and the timeline for you to use. If you have any questions, feel free to email me or … Continue reading →

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Timelines for the 2018 Rootstech folks

Posted on March 2, 2018

Thank you for attending. Here is the information I promised linking to the timelines…enjoy and have fun with it. Let me know if you have any questions. RootsTech Timelines are for You. Timeline for Genealogy Blank Timeline for Genealogy Blank 2017  

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Heirloom-52weeks 52Ancestors

Posted on February 22, 2018

I am trying to keep track of the challenge and I am slipping. This week I will acknowledge a family heirloom. My 2x grandfather-Ahira Harvey Worden was born on March 20, 1838, in Eaton, Michigan, his father, Parley Worden, was … Continue reading →

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52Ancestors52Weeks Weird Names

Posted on February 11, 2018

Oh yes there are some interesting names in our ancestry. Typically, the odd ones in my tree are all on my mother’s paternal side. It’s the European’s all the way. My father’s side all seen to be “normal” and familiar. … Continue reading →

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