Several weeks ago I was in an area of the state where my ancestors lived. I’d not been through that area on a genealogy trip in years and decided to drive around and acquaint myself with the roads.
I decided to drive around and see if I could remember where my McKee ancestors lives. I’d not been to their land in 15-20 years and could not remember where the land was located. I couldn’t even remember who had shown us around. I did know that the person that went on the last trip with me was deceased. So I had little hope of finding the area.
Yet, it was worth a try.
I had a church to use as a landmark to start. I began driving around aimlessly in hopes of finding this land. I wasn’t very confident I’d have any success.
I began to remember how roads connected and put together the pieces in my mind the way you would put together a puzzle. I passed by one road and something nudged me to turn around and go down a certain road, that included one the surnames related to the McKee’s.
I drove up and down that road twice and something seemed very familiar. I could feel that I was in McKee territory in my heart.
I looked over one house and noticed how the land had all of the landmarks I remembered. I pulled up into the driveway and talked with the owner. However, she was young, had just moved to the house and had no information.
I knew it was worth a try, but I was disappointed not to have any more information.
Riding up and down the road I came to a screeching halt in front of a house. I knew this house. It is on our family history website, but that’s not why I know the house. I know the chimney.
I remembered the 15+ years ago that I was told that the chimney was the only original part of the house. The chimney was built by my McKee ancestor that lived there.
Seeing a truck in the drive way, I was tempted to pull in and talk with the owner. However, I talked myself out of it. I’d do it next week when I was back in the area I said.
I continued to drive around the streets and make more landmark connections. Three times I drove past the road and house again.
I could hear a voice saying “Stop now”. This seemed foolish and I tried to talk myself out of it but I couldn’t. The feeling wouldn’t leave me.
So I pulled into the drive and said a silent prayer that I would not get shot. I had no idea who lived there and what the people were like.
I knocked on the front door several times but no answer. I went around to the side door and knocked several times but again no answer. The door was open to the screen door, so I knew someone was home.
I was about to leave, when I heard voices coming across the yard.
I walked over and explained why I was there. “This may sound silly, but my family lived here 200 years ago I began…”
Yeah, what would you say to that?
We talked and I discovered the family was moving out of state and new owners were moving in in five days. I was shocked, yet pleased, when the family offered to show me through the house.
Wow! I didn’t expect that.
I went on the tour and learned the history of the house.
When I saw the original mantle and chimney from 200 years ago that MY ANCESTOR built, I asked if I could take pictures. The family was kind enough to grant me permission.
I was amazed at the craftsmanship of this chimney. This was heavy rock that had been rock masoned.
On top of that the original stone foundation was still barely visible and I was able to take pictures.
The owners even told me about pictures showing the original house, but the new owners had these pictures. I left my contact information. We’ll see if they contact me.
I never expected to find this house, but I knew what it was when I first saw it. This was only because I’d been there years earlier. 
I never expected to learn more history of the house, but I did by stopping to speak with the owners.
I never, ever expected a tour of the house and was blessed with just that.
I never expected to be able to take more pictures of the house, but I was able to.
I even received two signs that I had done the right things. I could feel my ancestors reaching out through the bonds and boundaries of time to speak to me.
I thought about that intuition I had and almost ignored. How much would I have missed if I’d put off stopping the way I originally planned?
There are occasions when I can feel my ancestors guiding and prompting me. Today was one of those.
I was so glad that I listened.
Have you ever felt your ancestors guiding and directing you?
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