The stories, oy, the stories.

Listen, there's a lot to tell. I've got stories coming out of my ears now, understand? There's the Great Aunt whose grandfather married her grandmother in 1894 and then divorced her in 1896, and then later, much later, provided said Great Aunt with her wedding dress. You don't believe me? Ask the grandfather's great niece, with whom I've been corresponding via the wondrous genealogy web site I've been using. She, the great niece, has been looking for documentation for her Great Aunts and Uncles, of whom said grandfather above is one, by marriage. And so we've met (virtually), corresponded and exchanged tasty tidbits of information. She's even helping me find some long lost Chicago relatives, about whom I know almost nothing, except first names, maiden names, and other not necessarily helpful information.

But really! I've got so many second cousins now I don't what to do with them now! It puts me in mind of very crowded working conditions where people are forced to share beds - when one is working the other is sleeping, and vice-versa. That's what my family tree is beginning to look like. Crowded, but accomodating the newbies as they display their bona-fides (or not, but more about that later), and colorful plumage.

It's pretty heady stuff and now I've got a second cousin one time removed of my Great Aunt (see above), who strictly speaking is related to me by marriage, not by blood. But if I only counted blood relations that would make for rather dull reading. Umm, well maybe not, but trust me this is much better.

So this second cousin I've just mentioned lives nearby. And I didn't know she existed until a couple days ago. I am trying to screw up the nerve to call her. What do I say? 'Erm, hello, my name is Eva. Guess what? We're cousins by marriage! Isn't life grand?!?' Yeah, probably not quite that. But now that I know she's here I can't ignore her proximity. I mean, if the stars are lining up to reveal proximate second cousins, I feel I should show some gratitude and respect, no?

I'll let you all know if anything comes of it.