This first part of my thesis consists of a collection of stories from my and my wife's families. These stories are told as I received them. They are inherently different in content, time, and purpose. They are important in helping me find out who my ancestors were, what they were like, and what they did.The second part of my thesis is genealogy, researched by myself. First are pedigree (family tree) charts which show family members who are directly related to my wife and me. Next are family group sheets which show all information that I have (full name, birth date and place, marriage date and place, death date and place, spouse(s), children, etc.).My wife's and my families are joined by us. We will eventually have children and add further to our family histories. This thesis unites our two families and binds them as one.