DNA: Making Sense of It for Beginners
7 pm – 8 pm
Creative Arts & Technology Center #104
Robson Ranch, Denton, TX
Twisted Twigs on Gnarled Branches: Genealogy with Deidre Erin Denton
5 years ago on social media a sudden influx of genealogy memes appeared that only a genealogist—by trade or by interest—would find funny. These memes then and now share inside jokes that create and fill a unique genealogical niche. Styles have changed a bit and political relevancy has crept in, but there is always that ironic humor to enjoy.
Finding the author
A fan of Twisted Twigs on Gnarled Branches early on and through the years, I couldn’t help but wonder who is the brilliant genea mind behind Twisted Twigs? So I asked.
Deidre Erin Denton cheerfully revealed herself and replied to my request to interview her. We arranged a call time, and my opportunity presented itself to hear the creator’s voice.
A Personal Story
Preferring to be called Deidre Erin, a nice Irish name if ever there was one, I asked her what brought about the birth of the genealogical humor of Twisted Twigs? She shared that she was living with her mother who was suffering from Alzheimer’s. Her parents were divorced with her father in California and brother nearby but struggling with personal issues; she alone cared for her mother. A longtime genealogy researcher, Deidre Erin spent a lot of time at home, on the computer, and involved with genealogy. Her own struggle while living with her mother’s isolating illness developed into a humorous voice for herself and for the genea world.
Today
Five years later Deidre Erin’s mother is now passed away, and “The Detroit Genealogist,” left Michigan. She changed her address, her life, and her memories to take and base her genealogical life and business in the Washington, D. C. area.
Deidre Erin is enthusiastic about her public presence through Twisted Twigs; she sees her memes as a means of “spreading the [genealogical] message. Her memes, in fact, are cloaked in socially embraced humor, and the underlying messages preach pithy principles in a sound bite. Obviously, her message is popular. In 2014 she was followed on Facebook by 15,000, while today Twisted Twigs on Gnarled Branches claims 34,390 likes producing 25-100 emails per day.
Twisted Twigs Genealogy, Deidre Erin’s research company, currently suffers the growing pains of a burgeoning business. While enthusiastic about her own genealogy research, her clients also experience her generous enthusiasm. Continuing to be known as the “GraveyardRabbit” and “Li’l Miss Go Get ‘Em”, researches and acts as a Records Retrieval specialist at the National Archives and Record Administration (NARA) and other repositories in the D. C. area. Increasing her staff is a current priority. She can be reached through her website http://twistedtwigsgenealogy.com/ or her Facebook page of the same name.
Happy 5th Anniversary, Twisted Twigs on Gnarled Branches—and thank you, Deidre Erin Denton, for all the laughter and learning.
Considering Family in the Family Photo
It is such a wonderful experience sharing memories of our loving family members and remembering an event! It’s even wonderful watching others share their joys.
But sometimes family photos bring more complicated emotions than happiness. Not everyone has a happy family or has happy memories of family life; it seems most of us have mixed memories of happiness and unhappiness, fear and bravery, brokenness and healing. Or something even darker.
This photo shows my mother and my father. Don’t they look all grown up in their 1950’s make-up and attire? My mother is seated; my father is standing and cutting the cake. They are seated in Don’s home with his father and step-mother looking on, his half-sisters stand round and his brother with his hand on Marion’s shoulder. Marion and Don are viewing the celebratory high school graduation cake in 1954 together in his family’s home.
After graduation, there is a year of college for both. The Autumn of 1955 is followed by Spring and me. With no father. My mother has no husband, no provider, no in-laws, no child support, and no cake. Well, she does have cake sometimes. Even her father evicted her.
But this photo also brings me peace. I didn’t know that my mother had a relationship with my father that included his family. I have few photos of her, and I love to look at how beautiful she is.
That little girl standing in her robe looking at the cake with less than enthusiasm grows up to be someone who welcomes me into her life. My father’s half-sister is my half-aunt, but I call her my aunt. We connected carefully on Ancestry when I started my tree, then we graduated to telephone; we met in August 2015 for a weekend.
After returning home, Aunt Linda, despite being busy with life, dug around until she found this photo and shared it with me.
So… this photo of such a complicated relationship and lack of relationship still brings me sadness–but it also brings me more. My aunt gave me a gift of her time and her love, and that brings me happiness.
Even if life doesn’t work the way we want or the way we think it should, there is still a chance that we will find family who care. May someone provide you a family photo, if you need one, someday.
Patti Gillespie, The Gen Lady
Erath County Genealogical Society
“Searching Newspapers: Tips, Tricks, Sites and Context”
Dublin Public Library
206 W. Blackjack Street
Dublin, TX 76446
Emily Fowler Central Library
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