Hunting Elusive Ancestors

I've wanted to blog for a quite a few years now but I could never find just the right name. My ancestry is very diverse. Like many, I am a product of the great American melting pot. My early ancestors on the east coast were mostly Puritans who came from England to the Massachusetts Bay Colony under the influence of John Winthrop. They in turn, through the years married into Scot and Irish families. My ancestors on the west coast were Spanish soldiers, Soldados, and the settlers who came with them. Several years ago I had myself, my brother, my children and a 1st cousin DNA tested and found out, to my surprise that some of these Spanish ancestors were of Jewish descent. Wow!! So many very, very different branches to research!! What's a girl to do? Talk about genealogical ADHD. 

After an inspiring family history seminar last weekend, I decided that the first order of business was to create the blog I've wanted to do. With the help of a coworker, thanks Paul, I finally had a name for my blog!! A name reflecting the diversity of my family tree. Now I could journal my research progress and hopefully share it with family.

My current project is finding out what became of my paternal grandfather Ernest Miranda. After he and his wife Viola Quijada split up, he seems to have disappeared. I have yet to pick up a paper trail. The family scandal seems to have muddied the waters. And it was never talked about. My father Phillip (Miranda) Ayala, was abandoned by his parents and was raised by his biological mother's cousins. Times being what they were, the secrets were kept and I didn't find out my Dad was adopted till I was 15. And now, those who could have answered my questions are gone. I have my work cut out for me sorting out these tangled family branches. Wish me luck!! Here is a picture of my parents, Phillip Patrick (Miranda) Ayala and Annabelle Rose Merrill on their wedding day.