The Ones Who Came Before Us

Dear Henry,

I embarked on a genealogical journey over five years ago when both your Great-Great Grandma and Great Grammy shared some very intriguing stories.

When I was a little boy our family went to a family reunion in Vermont. We stayed at a big hotel and there were so many cousins and family members that I didn’t know but happy I met. The kids were in a small parade and played in the pool a lot. At that time the name on the light turquoise shirt didn’t have any meaning to me.

But as I got older and became a lover of history, I had to ask your Great-Great Grandma for clarification. The name on our reunion shirt was Delano and when we went down to Massachusetts to see some family years later, my only mission for that trip was to ask a simple question. “Grandma, are we related to Franklin Delano Roosevelt?”. She went on to say “yes”. My mind was blown and it was exciting to tell everyone. When people would say “how so?” or “I don’t believe you”, a part of me needed to find out.

You may be wondering who Franklin Delano Roosevelt is? He was unequivocally one of the most influential and significant presidents our land has ever known. FDR was intrigued by what his uncle Teddy Roosevelt had accomplished and wanted to follow in his footsteps. What he did actually fell almost right in line with what his uncle did. Both went to Harvard and Columbia University. Had stints in the New York Legislature. Became Assistant Secretaries of the Navy and the Governors of New York. Theodore went on to be…