Welcome to Our “Meet a Fellow Researcher” Series

Hello from Diane to Twisted Roots viewers! I am happy to have the privilege to come talk with you all about family history and more importantly to me: My family history.

Meet a Fellow Researcher: Diane Kloepfel

I was born Diane Lenore Mitchell. I married Robert LaMar Kloepfel at age 20.  Kloepfel is a rough name, right? Let me help you pronounce it: Klep-fell. I did take his last name.  Here it is 16 years later and I still have trouble sometimes spelling it, lol.

We have a very much blended family. He came into the marriage with a daughter.  We were lucky to have two wonderful sons together.  Most recently, we were blessed even further to adopt a third son. Our house is busy, loud, and messy with loving memories.

Family History and Me

Growing up as the youngest of six children, I have been working on family history for the better part of my life. My parents were in their 40’s when they had me, so the stories were plentiful.  My family has always passed down the stories of our ancestors so we could learn about where we are from.  Even though I joined the LDS church as an adult, learning about my family history has always been important to me.

My Favorite Way to Research

So I mostly enjoy working on family history with friends who are also into genealogical research. My very dear friend, Adrienne (one of the owners of Finding My Twisted Roots), is one of these friends.  I enjoy researching with her even when we are searching our own lines.  As a result, there is always good conversation, yummy food, laughter, and tears (the good kind).  Consequently, the hours just seem to disappear from us.  Sometimes we end up with tons of information.

My Current Research Needs

If I were to be sitting searching for ancestors right now, I would be looking for information on two separate lines. The first would be on my father’s father’s line: Charles Maclachlan Mitchell.  The second would be my mother’s father’s line; Earl Napolean Davey.

My Best Advice for You

I don’t have any favorite websites.  I urge you to double check any information people send to you! Not everything you find online (like on Ancestry.com is accurate). Most of all, please verify the person is in your family as well as anything you might add to your tree.  Site your sources to prove that the individual is your family.

Connect with Me Online

Fellow researcher Adrienne introduced me to Find A Grave several years ago.  Please visit my profile page to see which memorials I have created and if we are family!

I hope to get to come and share more with you all and that you can share with me. =)

~Diane Kloepfel~

P.S. If you would like to be featured in our “Meet a Fellow Researcher” series, please contact Adrienne at findingmytwistedroots@gmail.com.