Where it all started.

Home of Jeremiah Hatch, Nauvoo, Il

A deep interest in family history began when I discovered my mother's (Vera Hatch) 3rd great grandfather, Jeremiah Hatch of Massachusetts was a Revolutionary War Veteran. As payment for serving in the War for Independence Jeremiah received bounty land in Vermont, he created family and homestead. Later in life, one of Jeremiah’s sons introduced the family to the teaching of Later Day Saints and the Hatch family became part of the huge Mormon migration ending in   Utah. 

My father Richard Eksund, always talked of his father Imanuel Eksund being from Norway.  The homeland of Grandpa Eksund sounded like a mysterious and faraway place.  I believe we all hoped we would be able to visit Eiksund, Norway someday.  My father was not able to make the trip in his life, but a month after his passing, I made the journey of a lifetime, visiting family and making friends.  I will never forget standing on the boat dock at the  family homestead in Eiksund, feeling the presence of all those who had stood there before me, gazing out at the fjord....and a cruise ship floats by.  Wow!

In my search of ancestors, I have found connections to pilgrims, settlers, statesmen, teachers and  many adventurous individuals.  I hope to share family information and stories, both old and new.  Please join me in a walk thru time.