Roots & Branches — Remembering Where We Came From
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 whose lives shaped the generations that followed: 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 time and across the country.
“Roots & Branches” is more than a title — it’s a way of remembering where we came from, and noticing how those beginnings continue to shape the lives we’re living today.
The phrase “Roots & Branches” is more than a title to us. It’s a way of remembering where we came from—while noticing how those beginnings continue to shape the lives we are living today.
Because genealogy isn’t only about the past.
It’s about recognizing the threads that run quietly through time—connecting one life to the next.
Genealogy isn’t only about the past. It’s about recognizing the threads that run quietly through time — connecting one life to the next.
Today, our family continues to share memories in a private Facebook group called Roots & Branches, where descendants trade photographs, swap stories, and piece together the small moments that make our history feel alive.
While the group itself is private, visitors are warmly invited to explore the stories collected here on the site
Explore Our Family Stories
If you enjoy diving into individual lives, timelines, and the stories behind the names, you’ll want to visit:
👉 Ancestral Biographies A growing collection of life stories, family lines, and historical context.
Visit our Ancestral Biographies
Civil War Research & Veteran Files
If American history sparks your curiosity, cousin Kerri has a special gift for digging into Civil War veteran files, uncovering remarkable stories hidden in old military records. You’ll find a curated list of soldiers, links to their stories, and selected pension files available for download on the:
👉 Visit our Military Page A doorway into the lives of the men who served — heroic, ordinary, and everything in between.
Every branch of a family tree has its own tale to tell… and we’re still discovering ours.
Roots & Branches of the Hostetter Clan
Roots & Branches — Special Section: The McGill Story
Every family has a beginning — somewhere rooted in place, memory, and story. For the McGills, that story stretches from the shores of Belfast Lough in Ireland to the lives built across the sea.
This new section explores that journey in three parts.
1. A Question of Irish Roots
Were the McGills really Irish?
A lighthearted look at heritage, identity, and the stories we claim—best enjoyed with a bit of green and a sense of humor.
2. The Homestead on Belfast Lough
Step into the McGill family’s early home in County Antrim, as described in a 1910 family history.
A glimpse of the land, the house, and the generations who lived there.
3. Walking the Homeland
Follow the landscape beyond the doorstep — from Carrickfergus to Belfast and the ports of emigration — tracing the path that led the McGills to America.