Family history research is a journey. Like a roadtrip, sometimes it's smooth, fun and scenic. But sometimes it's bumpy and you hit major roadblocks. Not every ancestor leaves behind a rich paper trail, and not every cousin responds with a treasure trove of memories.
Case in point: my great-grandmother Martha Goesch Sullivan.
Family
member name: Martha E. Goesch Sullivan
Years of life: 1900-1976
Places lived: Nebraska
Tree branch: Goesch
Relation: My great-grandmother (my mom's mom's mom)
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| The elusive Martha Goesch Sullivan |
I never met Martha, but I’ve spent a lot of time over the past few years trying to learn more about her. I’ve followed leads, sent messages, written letters, and made phone calls. Here are the 5 methods I've tried so far:
Ancestry Messaging Spree
I sent a dozen messages through Ancestry.com's messaging app, reaching out to members of the Goesch family, asking if anyone remembered visiting or hearing stories about Martha. Only one cousin responded—and while he didn’t know anything himself, he gave me the name and email address of his aunt, who he thought might remember her.Emails, a Letter, and... Crickets
I sent two thoughtful, photo-filled emails to the aunt. When I didn’t hear back, I looked up her address and mailed a handwritten letter with family tree sketches and more photos. Still no reply!! I followed up with the cousin again, who let me know his aunt didn’t remember Martha, which is why she hadn’t responded. I wonder what prevented her from just briefly replying to say "Sorry, no"?Another Cousin, Another Dead End
A lovely cousin named Rob contacted me about a different shared Goesch ancestor, and I took the opportunity to ask about Martha. Unfortunately, he didn’t know anything about her either.Cemetery Management Silence
I reached out to the town cemetery where Martha was buried in Nebraska. Sometimes there are records that include who paid for the burial. I didn’t get a response, but I reached out during the pandemic, so it’s possible there was limited staff at the time.Hospital Records—But Not Yet
I contacted the hospital where Martha lived for many years, hoping for medical records. At first they just said "no" with no further information. But after I peppered them with questions, they informed me the records will be made public 50 years after her death. Which is in 2026. Another year to go. But at least there's hope of forward progress!!
This hasn’t been easy, but it’s part of the process. Sometimes you hit a wall (or five), and the only thing to do is keep chipping away. I still have a couple of cousins to contact and will try the historical society again. I know there's more to learn about Martha. I’m not done looking.
