Every family tree begins with roots, but the real story unfolds in the branches.

For our corner of the tree, those roots lead back to Frederick Hostetter, Jr. and Charlotte “Gram” Golden of Jersey City, New Jersey, the proud parents of six spirited daughters who formed the heart of this family line: Millie, Anna, Margie, Gertie, Charlotte, and Myrtle. From those six sisters grew a lively forest of cousins, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren whose stories stretch across generations and across the country.

The phrase “Roots & Branches” is more than a title to us. It’s the way we remember where we came from while celebrating everything that grew from it.

Today our family continues to share those memories in a private Facebook group called Roots & Branches, where descendants trade photographs, swap stories, and piece together the little moments that make our history feel alive. While the group itself is reserved for family members, visitors are warmly invited to enjoy the stories collected here on the site.

And if you happen to be an American history lover, you’re in luck. Cousin Kerri has a special passion for digging into Civil War veteran files, uncovering remarkable stories hidden in old military records. If that sort of thing sparks your curiosity, be sure to visit the Military Page, where you’ll find a growing list of soldiers, links to their stories and some Veterans Pension PDF files available for download.

After all, every branch of a family tree has its own tale to tell — and we’re still discovering ours.

Roots & Branches of the Hostetter Clan