Featured Surname: Lee
Origin: English
Meaning: Topographic name for someone who lived near a meadow or patch of arable land.
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Finding the Truth in Family Tales
For many of us, our first foray into the genealogical world may have been through a family story that captured our interest. A military hero, a "rags to riches" story, or perhaps the "black sheep" of the family, all hold the promise of a rich story that will capture the imagination of even the most uninterested family members.
We also often find leads in theses stories that we hope will further our quest. Unfortunately, we also often find "embellishments" in them. Sometimes the stories that are passed down are closer to fiction than fact, and many should come with disclaimers. "Names and facts may have been changed to protect the storyteller, entertain the audience, and confuse the family historian."
So how do we sort out the truth from the embellishments?
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