.CREATE YOUR LEGACY

Thornton Farmstead: Home of the Iowa State Fair

By Hazel Thornton | August 13, 2019 |

I’ve never attended the Iowa State Fair. I gain weight just reading the 2019 Food On A Stick menu! But I did visit the fairgrounds a number of years ago on a genealogy research trip with my dad. Why? Because the land formerly belonged to my 2nd great-grandfather, Calvin Thornton. Prior to that, it belonged…

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Playing Detective: Grandma’s Birth Certificate

By Hazel Thornton | July 11, 2019 |

                AHA! I was RIGHT! Right about what, you ask? Right about where my Grandma Hankins was born (Villa Mae Lawrence Hankins 1904-1986). Where was Grandma born? I was lucky enough to have known her well. Sadly, though, I did not become interested in doing genealogy research until…

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Hit a brick wall? 20 reasons why you can’t find your ancestor

By Hazel Thornton | June 25, 2019 |

Can’t find your ancestor? Getting frustrated? We all hit a brick wall in our genealogy research now and then. Or, as we call them here in New Mexico, adobe walls, lol!

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Thornton Family Resemblances Revisited

By Hazel Thornton | June 10, 2019 |

I once wrote an article for APPO (Association of Professional Photo Organizers) called Who Do You Think You Look Like? The Mystery of Family Resemblances. It featured a small selection of photos from both sides of my family. This time, in honor of Father’s Day, I’ve gathered photos from six consecutive generations of Thornton fathers…

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Mom’s Boxes Part 8: The Gangster Hideout

By Hazel Thornton | May 23, 2019 |

READERS: This is the sort of story I intend to write more of over the next few years to share with my family. It’s also the sort of story I encourage you to write about your own family! It doesn’t have to be fancy, with links to articles and such. Just capture the memories for…

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The Gift of an Organized Family Tree

By Hazel Thornton | April 30, 2019 |

Who wants their chart done? Family tree pedigree chart, that is? If you think pedigrees are just for royalty, dogs, and horses, think again! Genealogy makes history personal for everyone. And a family tree makes a great gift for a loved one…or for yourself!

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Climbing your never-ending family tree

By Hazel Thornton | April 29, 2019 |

Your family tree is never really finished! It is forever growing on both ends. New descendants of your ancestors are continually being born (even if not to you, personally), and no matter how many branches and leaves you’ve added in the past, there are always more for you to discover.

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Planning my virtual funeral – who’s with me?

By Hazel Thornton | February 17, 2019 |

I’ve been talking and writing for a while now about organizing for your legacy. This involves doing things to make it easier on your grieving loved ones when the time comes, by preparing for your own death. Activities can range from writing your own obituary and planning your own funeral; to preserving your memorabilia and…

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Confessions of a Professional Organizer (I’m organized enough, and not one bit more)

By Hazel Thornton | February 1, 2019 |

Clients are always amused and relieved to learn that I have my own organizing issues to deal with at home. I tell them, “I’m organized, not perfect! Whoever said I was perfect?” If you and I both have a pile of clutter on the kitchen counter, the difference between us is that I know it’s…

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Mom’s Boxes Part 7: Sharing family history with my family

By Hazel Thornton | December 3, 2018 |

Shhh! Don’t tell my family, but I’ve finally figured out what I’m giving them all for Christmas. “What?” you ask…with bated breath… Why, The Gift of an Organized Family Tree, of course! “But wait…you’re an organizer, and a genealogist. Haven’t you already shared your family history with your family?” Well…yes and no…

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Hazel's Books

Book cover: What's a Photo Without the Story? How to Create Your Family Legacy

What’s a Photo Without the Story? How to Create Your Family Legacy

Cover of "Go With the Flow! (The Clutter Flow Chart Workbook)"

Go With the Flow! (The Clutter Flow Chart Workbook)

Cover of "Hung Jury: The Diary of a Menendez Juror"

Hung Jury: The Diary of a Menendez Juror

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