Carol, I was fortunate enough to be raised by my grandmother who knew her grandmother and great grandmother. They were both civil war widows. She talked to me about my ancestors. My grandmother was born in 1885 and was retirement age when I came along. I grew up hearing the stories and wishing I were in the 19th century. She also instilled in me a love of history. All my life I have read everything I could get my hands on concerning history.

Then life happened as it always does, public school, college, 3 children, then my second husband's 3 children. We had 6 in the house to raise. Working full time and raising 6 kids does not leave time for anything else. Then when I thought child rearing was over, I got my 2 grandsons to raise. They were easier and that is when I really got into research. I learned about 22 ancestors that fought for the South and 2 that fought for the North. My grandmother did not know about most of these.

My husband and I started going to the reenactments in AR, OK and TX and he decided he wanted to try it. I was thrilled because I wanted to try it also. Our house is now filled with books, equipment, period clothing, etc. My grandsons think it is great and most of my kids think we are crazy.

We have never done anything that we enjoy more. I think you should try it. I don't do the plantation mistress thing. That is highly overdone. My persona is a working class woman. I research the diaries and memoirs trying to get into their head to make my persona better. I stay in first person at the camps.

You have come to the right place for information. These history sites boards are great and the people are very willing to help in your research.

If you want help getting started I will help you off the board.