Valparaiso Family History Center

08/28/2023

In 1965 after locating the family to the San Jose California area. My father loaded up the 1958 Buick Roadmaster and drove the family over the mountain to the beach. There we swam, dug holes in the sand, and then we rode the rollercoaster. It was my first time on any rollercoaster. One day I'll see if my grandkids want that experience

07/13/2022

Mark your Calendar Aug 12
Ice Cream Social & Family History

06/22/2022

When I was twelve years old my father was one of the leaders that took a group of us to the Matterhorn Canyon loop north of Yosemite. You can see from the pictures of the area that it is absolutely beautiful and very rugged terrain. As we were climbing up and down these mountains my dad lagged behind. He was not in shape to do this I thought at the time.

Years later while I was in the clinical portion of my residency my father was one of my first patients. I took some x-rays and found two compression fractures in his thoracic spine. When I inquired he admitted that he was on a ship that came under attack and he fell off a ladder onto his back. It was then that I understood that my father wasn't going to let a little fracture of the back stop him from going backpacking with his sons.

Do you have a family member that you may have misunderstood. Let us help you find the proof, click the box to make an appointment.

06/16/2022

Seventy-two years ago today my parents were married at the First Methodist Church of Hollywood California. This picture was taken at my fathers fathers house on 2nd Ave in Los Angeles. The couple took this photograph as they departed on their honeymoon.

If you would like to find out who you are related to and need help getting started. Please leave us a message or better click on the make an appointment square.

03/24/2022

I grew up in a part of California that citrus trees thrived in our backyard. We visited the snow for recreation. The whole concept of shoveling the white stuff was, well, different. in 1970 when a snow had hit the mountains my father loaded the family in the Buick and took us to a place with a sledding hill. In this picture you see my mother, my brother Randy, and my youngest sister Mary.

It's our stories that bring us together as a family. At the Family History Center in Valparaiso it is our mission to help you uncover your families stories. Please find the appointment box on our FB page and let us help you.

Yes, it does snow in Valparaiso, in case you we're wondering.

10/13/2021

The United States Navy traces its origins to the Continental Navy, which is established at the beginning of the American Revolution. On October 13, 1775, the Continental Congress decides to purchase two armed ships to attack British supply ships and keep their supplies from reaching British soldiers in the colonies. A second resolution passes the same day creating a naval committee to oversee the purchase of the ships and write a set of regulations for their management. Thus was born the Continental Navy, and October 13 remains the official birth date of the U.S. Navy.

In March of 1942 My father joined the Navy instead of completing college. By searching the archives that are free to those searching from the Family History Center, I was able to see what ships he served on even when he was discharged and at what rank.

Please find the appointment link on our page and make certain someone will be there to help you.

09/17/2021

In 1946 the ship USS Los Angeles took a world tour in part to keep other powers from invading war torn countries. The ship made port in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Cairo amongst others. When the ship returned to Los Angeles each of the World War II veterans were presented with a flag that had flown over the ship. In 1959 when Hawaii became the 50th state my Paternal Grandmother added the two stars to the flag.
For years my father proudly displayed the flag on Flag Day and Independence Day among other occasions. These pictures are from about sixteen years ago when my father was telling the story to his sons and grandsons.
Does your family have a special keepsake with a story, or you just want to discover the family story, please let us at the Valparaiso Family History Center help you to get started. buy clicking on the make an appointment bar we will be happy to assist.

09/10/2021

In 2005 my father and I had several backyard projects going on at once. In this picture you can see that we had replaced the beam holding up the balcony.

Family Search.org now has an app called memories. It is a great place to put such pictures and narrate the caption so that your story and your parents and whomever you cherish all stay alive.

Click on the appointment box on our page and we will be happy to help you get started.

09/08/2021

Available in the Valparaiso Family History Center for no charge are several databases that are only available at no charge there. I was recently looking through Newspapers.com when I plugged in my sister's name Dorinda Hold. I found this article published in 1965.

One of the best parts of the article is that my sister's times for her events beat the boys swimming the same event. Another great thing, I also won two races as did my brother Vincent.

Click on the page and make an appointment, we will be more than happy to help you find the trophy winners in your family.

09/02/2021

In 1946 a lot of important world events happened. While the Allied Powers had been victorious over their Axis enemies, the world began to divide between East and West. It was in this context that Winston Churchill gave his famous “Iron Curtain” speech on the 5th of March at Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri. It is the same year that my mom graduated from Hollywood High. Where Charleston Heston was class president.

While cleaning out a box with my mother's effects in it I found this class picture of the Hollywood High graduating class. Come on in some time and let us help you discover your parent's, grand parents and beyond.

08/30/2021

43 Million years ago a whale type amphibious creature lived in what we know as a desert. It is said that this newly discovered species is evidence that whales evolved from land creatures.

If you are trying to scare up some fossils in your family tree but need some guidance click on the make an appointment tab so that we can help.

Egyptian scientists have discovered the fossil of a new species of amphibious whale that dates back 43 million years, a member of the research team said.

08/18/2021

It fills one with joy to see such longevity. Today we celebrate Albert and Myrtle Greene as they celebrate their 75th wedding anniversary. The story gets even better when you read that they courted each other for five years. Albert says that he was blessed to be able to also work every day together.

Do you have relatives that had a long marriage, multiple marriages, or you're not certain you have any information about your relatives. Click on the appointment banner and we at the Family History center in Valparaiso would be happy to help you discover your heritage.

Their town recently celebrated the couple's 75th wedding anniversary with a honking parade.