terfvevo:

i am working really hard to find my great grandmothers, but as of yesterday, i was only able to go four back on my mother’s side…and the fourth one didn’t even have a “maiden name” listed. even if there was, this would have happened with my fifth grandmother, or sixth, or seventh, or eighth, etc. they take the last name of their husband and then lose their whole identity. 

I was able to follow a straight, unwavering line of male ancestors on my father’s side just from birth records. there were so many i can’t even begin to list them…but for my female ancestors? i sifted through census and birth certificate, letters and articles trying to find them. their existence is so diminished and i hurt for them deeply.