And then that familiar thought: I should look into this someday.

If you’ve ever felt that tug, you’re already standing at the doorway of one of life’s most rewarding journeys — the journey into your own history.

Our community at Growing Your Family Tree exists for people just like you: curious, heartfelt, and ready to understand where they come from in a deeper way.

But here’s the truth that surprises many newcomers…

The Real Reward Isn’t the Finished Family Tree — It’s the Journey You Take to Build It

When you research your own family, you’re not simply collecting names and dates. You’re stitching together the lives of real people who fought, loved, struggled, hoped, crossed oceans, built homes, and carved out a future that eventually led to you.

Doing the work yourself creates a connection that no professional service can replicate.

It’s personal.

It’s emotional.

It’s transformative.

As you uncover records, follow clues, and piece together forgotten stories, something remarkable happens — you begin to feel your ancestors walking with you. You start to understand them not as distant figures, but as family. Their hardships become meaningful. Their joys become your joys. Their resilience becomes a part of your own identity.

The Emotional Rewards You Can’t Put Into Words

Genealogy isn’t just research. It’s healing.

It’s grounding.

It’s a reminder that you come from a long line of people who survived everything life threw at them.

Members of our group often describe:

• A deeper sense of belonging

• A renewed appreciation for their parents and grandparents

• A spiritual or emotional connection to people they’ve never met

• A powerful sense of accomplishment when the pieces finally come together

• A feeling of “home” they didn’t even know they were missing

These are the kinds of rewards you simply can’t receive when someone else does the work for you.

And You Don’t Have to Figure It Out Alone

That’s where Growing Your Family Tree comes in.

Our group is a supportive place where beginners and experienced researchers alike can ask questions, share discoveries, and receive gentle, knowledgeable guidance — especially if you’re just starting out.

With over 35 years of research experience, I’m here not to do the work for you, but to help you do it yourself — because that’s where the magic truly is.

And the best part?

It’s completely free, open, and welcoming.

No gatekeeping.

No pressure.

No judgment.

Just people helping people uncover their stories.

Why Join Us?

Join our group if you want to:

• Build your family tree with confidence

• Learn proven research skills

• Connect with others on the same journey

• Feel supported, encouraged, and inspired

• Experience the emotional reward of discovering your own heritage

• Celebrate the stories of those who walked before you

If you’ve ever wondered who your ancestors were, where they lived, what they did, or what they sacrificed — you don’t need to keep wondering.

You can start discovering.

You can start connecting.

You can start belonging in a new, deeper way.

Your Story Matters — and It’s Waiting for You

Join us at Growing Your Family Tree and take the first step into a journey that will change how you see yourself, your family, and the generations who helped shape your life.

Your ancestors left you a legacy.

Now it’s time to uncover it.

👉 Membership is Free, begin (or continue) Your Journey…

Join Us - Your Family Is Waiting

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It Read…

Aurora Cemetery

The oldest known graves here, dating from as early as the 1860s, are those of the Randall and Rowlett families. Finis Dudley Beauchamp (1825–1893), a Confederate veteran from Mississippi, donated the 3-acre site to the newly formed Aurora Lodge No. 479, A.F. & A.M., in 1877. For many years, this community burial ground was known as Masonic Cemetery. Beauchamp, his wife Caroline (1829–1915), and others in their family are buried here. An epidemic which struck the village in 1891 added hundreds of graves to the plot. Called “spotted fever” by the settlers, the disease is now thought to have been a form of meningitis. Located in Aurora Cemetery is the gravestone of the infant Nellie Burris (1891–1893) with its often-quoted epitaph: “As I was so soon done, I don’t know why I was begun.” This site is also well known because of the legend that a spaceship crashed nearby in 1897 and the pilot, killed in the crash, was buried here. Struck by epidemic and crop failure and bypassed by the railroad, the original town of Aurora almost disappeared, but the cemetery remains in use with over 800 graves. Veterans of the Civil War, World Wars I and II, and the Korean and Vietnam conflicts are interred here.

This inscription ties together the cemetery’s Masonic roots, its role in the community, and the enduring legend of ann alien pilot’s burial.

Aurora Cemetery, a.k.a. the Masonic Cemetery, is where fraternal tradition collides with one of the most famous UFO legends in American history. This little plot of land has it all: Freemasons, history, and extraterrestrials!?

Masons First, Mysteries Later

Our story begins in 1877, when Confederate veteran Finis Dudley Beauchamp donated three acres of land to the newly formed Aurora Lodge No. 479, A.F. & A.M.. This act of generosity created a resting place for the town’s residents and earned it the early name Masonic Cemetery.

Fast-forward to 1978, and the Texas Historical Commission placed a marker at the cemetery, honoring its Masonic roots. According to the sign, this small burial ground is more than just a place for headstones—it’s a tangible piece of Aurora’s history.

“Aurora Cemetery began as a three-acre plot donated in 1877 to Aurora Lodge No. 479, A.F. & A.M. by Finis Dudley Beauchamp. It has served as a burial ground for the community and is historically known as the Masonic Cemetery.”

And yes, that’s the official dedication—freemasonry firmly noted. But wait… there’s more.

UFOs Crash the Party

On April 17, 1897, the sleepy town of Aurora had a visitor from far, far away. Reports claimed that a cigar-shaped airship crashed into Judge J.S. Proctor’s windmill. The pilot, described as “not of this world”, tragically perished in the crash.

According to local lore, the townspeople didn’t just shrug and move on—they gave this interstellar traveler a Christian burial right here in the cemetery. UFO enthusiasts and curious visitors have flocked to the site ever since, hoping to catch a glimpse of alien history—or maybe just the mystery.

Fact Meets Fun

Aurora Cemetery is where you can tip your hat to history and raise an eyebrow at legend simultaneously. You’ve got Masonic heritage, 19th-century community life, and the enduring allure of the unknown, all in one small plot of Texan land.

Whether you’re a believer, a skeptic, or just love a good story, strolling among the gravestones here is like walking through a chapter of a history book… with a twist of science fiction.

Stop By and See for Yourself

Next time you’re in Wise County, Texas, take a detour to Aurora Cemetery. Read the historical sign, admire the Masonic heritage, and maybe ponder what it would be like if aliens were part of your family tree. After all, not every cemetery can claim to tie Freemasons to UFOs.

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I’ve been able to get through many Brick Walls, difficult situations where finding the next Generation is all but impossible. Not only in my own Family Tree but helping with others also.

I’ve been able to help others find their birth records and connect with missing family members and find their birth parents.

What can I help You with? How can I help You, Growing Your Family Tree?

Brian Hurlburt

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Why Build a Family Tree?

Researching your family tree goes beyond just collecting names and dates—it helps you piece together the story of your lineage. Here’s why it’s worth starting:

• Preserve family history: Capture important details before they’re lost to time.

• Learn about your heritage: Discover where your ancestors came from.

• Connect with relatives: Reunite with distant family members or uncover new connections.

• Solve family mysteries: Break through gaps in your knowledge and answer long-standing questions.

• Leave a legacy: Create a resource for future generations to build upon.

5 Steps to Begin Your Family Tree

1. Start with What You Know

Begin with yourself and work your way back through your parents, grandparents, and other known relatives. Gather personal records, old documents, and family keepsakes that may contain useful information.

2. Talk to Relatives

Your older family members hold a wealth of knowledge! Speak with grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins to gather names, dates, and personal stories. Ask about significant life events, traditions, and any old photos they may have.

3. Organize Your Research

Keep track of your findings using a notebook, spreadsheet, family tree chart, or Free Legacy Database. There are also online genealogy platforms like Ancestry, MyHeritage, and FamilySearch that provide digital tools for building and storing your tree.

4. Explore Historical Records

Once you have a basic tree, start verifying and expanding it with official documents. Some key sources include:

• Census records: Provide household details, occupations, and relationships.

• Birth, marriage, and death certificates: Confirm key family connections.

• Immigration and military records: Offer insights into ancestors’ journeys and service.

5. Continue Growing Your Tree

As you uncover more, consider joining genealogy groups, taking a DNA test for deeper insights, or even compiling your research into a family history book. Most importantly, share your discoveries with loved ones—it’s a story worth passing down!

Start Your Genealogy Journey Today

Tracing your family tree is like solving a puzzle, piecing together clues from the past. With curiosity and dedication, you can uncover the fascinating history of your ancestors and create a meaningful legacy for future generations.

Who knows, maybe You’ll be the one to make the break through and find the ancestry of that Grand Parent no one knows the history of! That’s called, “Breaking through a Brick Wall”. It’s very rewarding to fill in that blank spot with the right answers!

Are you ready to start exploring your family’s past?

Want to learn more and get a truly Free Database for storing information?

Visit My Website GrowingYourFamilyTree.com

Or Subscribe to my Substack and I’ll send You the Link to a Free Database for storing all your information! It is totally free and it’s the one I use. Subscribe here…

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One of the most important lessons I’ve learned in my research is the power of oral traditions. Families pass down stories for generations, and while some may seem like myths, they often contain real historical truths. Take the Lanteigne family, for example—they had a long-standing belief that they had Eskimo ancestry. Many might have dismissed this as legend, but my research led me to Michel Haché-Gallant, christened in 1668, and whose parents, according to the Priest, were a French father from Acadie and an Eskimo mother. This discovery proved that their family’s oral history was more than just a story—it was real history waiting to be uncovered.

If you’re just beginning your journey, I always recommend starting with the elders in your family. Their memories and stories provide a foundation for deeper research. From there, you can explore cemeteries, libraries, archives, and the many online resources now available to genealogists. Every piece of information you gather brings you one step closer to understanding your heritage.

At GrowingYourFamilyTree.com, I share my experiences, tips, and research strategies to help you navigate the fascinating world of family history and genealogy. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced researcher, I want to help you uncover the stories that make your family unique. Let’s explore your history together!