Dianne Waddington Linkenhoker’s journey into genealogy began when she met a great-grandaunt, was about six years old, and remembers the visit vividly. Born in Philadelphia in the summer of 1885, her Aunt Clara, twin sister of her paternal great-grandmother, Mary, resided in South Amboy, New Jersey. During a car ride from Bucks County, Pennsylvania, to visit Clara, Dianne’s father, Jim, explained who they were traveling to see. Jim referenced a family portrait on the wall of his parent’s home and how Clara was one of the little girls in that family photograph. Dianne asked many questions and learned Clara and Mary’s parents came from the Alsace-Lorraine area of France and Basel, Switzerland. With his love of history and his memories, Jim told Dianne about Clara and Mary’s family and the place from whence they came. After their visit, Dianne wanted to know more as it inspired many questions. After years of research, Dianne journeyed with Jim to Hüningue in Alsace, France, and Kleinhüningen in Basel, Switzerland, and showed him where Clara and Mary’s parents once lived. It was exhilarating!

In addition, Dianne’s maternal grandparents emigrated from County Mayo, Ireland, to the United States. Questions came with their brogue, stories, family traditions, and the many relations/friends who visited with her grandparents from Ireland, England, New York, and Philadelphia. Who were all these people, and how did her grandparents know them? What is a second cousin once removed? What is a “double first cousin”? Dianne heard them mention names and places and wondered who are they talking about? Was that a town name or a person’s name? 1996 was the first time Dianne journeyed to Ireland. She traveled there with her mother, Dot, met cousins, visited family homesteads and churches, and experienced the places her grandparents once did. Dianne listened as Dot relayed stories she was told when she had seen Ireland with her parents years before. A cousin asked Dianne if this was her first “visit home,” and she said, “Yes!” He said… “I bet it won’t be your last.” He was right.

Ireland, Northern Ireland, Alsace- France, Basel- Switzerland
Southeastern Pennsylvania, Southern New Jersey