Family History Becomes a Treasure Hunt

NORTHRIDGE, Calif., Jan. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- The United States is a country inhabited almost entirely by immigrants. From 1836 to 1914, 30 million people emigrated from Europe. In her new release, "How Will I Know Where I'm Going, If I Don't Know Where I've Been? A Genealogical Journey" (published by AuthorHouse), Elizabeth Ruderman Miller offers those interested in their ancestry hope, how-to and a look at Eastern European history to solve the puzzle of their own family lineage.

Miller hopes to inspire anyone with an interest in their family tree to bring their roots to life. "How Will I Know Where I'm Going, If I Don't Know Where I've Been?" highlights Eastern European history with a close look at Jewish culture prior to and during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Miller hopes readers will gain an appreciation for the events that led their European ancestors to leave the hardships of their homelands, yet still face the uncertainty of beginning new lives in America. Miller writes:

        Throughout the book, I hope to sprinkle stories of lives and incidents
        which led our Eastern European families, in particular, to leave their
        loved ones, often traveling alone, bringing with them their memories,
        traditions, hopes and dreams. I imagine they mostly shared one desire
        in common -- to make a better life for themselves and their families
        while, most importantly, enjoying personal and religious FREEDOM --
        the values we hold above all as Americans.

Miller chose to outline a specific time in Eastern European history because this is the time that her family, and so many others, immigrated to America. She intertwines several of her own family stories she discovered during her genealogical search in her book to bring life and a relatable quality to the history she presents. Miller says:

        If you have a deep passion to find your family, remember -- your
        challenge is to solve a mystery. What you find are treasures to pass
        along to the next generations. Anything is possible if you put your
        whole heart and soul into the project.

Miller hopes the history and stories she presents in "How Will I Know Where I'm Going, If I Don't Know Where I've Been?" will motivate others who are curious about where they came from to take on the mission of discovering their own family's heritage. She knows first hand that the detective work involved in finding the pieces of one's family history is a rewarding, exciting and even humorous at times when uncovering family skeletons. Miller aims to inspire readers to look for family who were "always out there, but never known" to them.

About the Author

Elizabeth Ruderman Miller spent her childhood in the small town of Port Jervis, New York. She received her B.A. in Theatre in Education and her Teaching Credential from Mills College in Oakland, California. She worked in Los Angeles radio and radio syndication. Most recently, she taught in the renowned Castlebay "Critters" Enrichment program for ten years where she wrote plays and directed children's theatre productions. She currently lives in California with her husband and son. Miller devoted several years of full time research to her family genealogy before embarking on her debut book. For more information visit: http://www.howwilliknow.com.

AuthorHouse is the premier book publisher for emerging, self-published authors. For more information, please visit http://www.authorhouse.com.

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SOURCE AuthorHouse