As I reflect on my recent trip to Vermont and New York, I can’t help but think about my family’s genealogy and the roots that tie us to these places.

My great-grandparents on my father’s side were born and raised in Vermont, while my father’s side of the family has deep roots in Massachusetts, Vermont, and New York. Until recently, however, we knew nothing about the East Coast roots.

Visiting Vermont was like stepping back in time. We drove through winding country roads, past quaint villages, and verdant pastures. The spring air was crisp, and the smell of wood-burning stoves filled the air. We visited the church and walked through the cemetery where many of my ancestors are buried. It was a humbling experience to stand in the same place where my family had stood generations before me.

In New York, we visited where my great-great-great-grandfather lived in the Adirondacks. It was incredible to see the towns and travel the roads they used. Imagining their lives in the wilderness of the area was a powerful moment for me.

The cousin we met is descended from Sardis Perry, James Samuel Perry’s father. We believe that the Perry family is descended from Ezra Perry of Sandwich MA, however there are a lot of Perrys, so we are still not positive about this. One thing we are certain of is that Sardis Perry is not a direct descendant of Oliver Hazard or Matthew Calbraith Perry. Cousins, probably, but not a direct descendant.

Sardis and his family moved back and forth between Rutland County, Vermont and Warren County, New York. At one point his wife, Thankful, moved back to Vermont without Sardis. Sardis appears to have remarried to a Clarassa and they had a daughter, Clarissa. We found Sardis’ grave but Thankful appears to be nowhere to be found.

These trips allowed me to connect with my family’s past and gave me a deeper appreciation for the sacrifices and hardships that they endured. I am grateful for the opportunity to honor their memory by visiting the places they called home and am reminded of the importance of knowing and preserving our family’s history.