The "Will" Ball - How it all Started!

My brother William Aaron Burnes lost his battle to cancer on March 13, 2006.  He was a Commercial Fisherman in Alaska for 10 years. I give you this information so that you will understand just how miraculous this story is.

My husband Brady and our daughter decided to go golfing one day at the Cedar Hills, Utah Golf course (just 3 months after my brothers passing). While on the course, Brady takes a few practice swings and is about to tee off on the first hole when a guy about 18 years of age who worked at the golf course said...

"hey, do you need a golf ball?" 

Brady said "no I have plenty"

He responded, "here have this one",

and without further hesitation, the young guy threw the golf ball to Brady. As Brady caught it, he saw the word "WILL" professionally printed on the ball. As he turned the ball around he saw a picture of a bear with a fish in it's mouth with the words "Alaska" printed below the image. Brady was speechless and overwhelmed at that moment. He knew that my brother Will was still with us, and he wanted it to be known.  

I often wonder who that boy was, and why he felt so impressed to give the ball to Brady even though he refused his offer. I also wonder where that ball came from in the first place. Was this a ball my brother had professionally designed while in Alaska and somehow through his hands, it made it back to us? I wish I knew. Someday I Will.

As Brady relayed this miraculous encounter to me, I knew at that moment what I was suppose to do; I needed to find our ancestors. I was very scared at first. I knew nothing about my ancestors, where to begin, or how to build our family tree, but I knew I had a responsibility, and Will would guide me.

For the past 6 years, the "Will" ball has been in my office with an assurance that my brother is close by.  Today, we have over 7,000 ancestors that we are proud of and feel a strong connection to because of Will.  I picked up where he left in his research and I am honored to be the vessel for his great work. 

William Aaron Burnes 
May 29, 1967 - March 13, 2006

Semper Fi  (Always Faithful)

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FREE Genealogy Software - PAF 5

I currently use PAF 5 as one of my primary Ancestral Files. This software will enable you to build your family tree, create pedigrees, family group sheets and so much more. The Family Search website offers this software for free. There's no gimmicks, or trial periods, just free.
 Click here to Download PAF 5 >>
To the left is my 5 generations using Personal Ancestral File (PAF 5). Click on image to enlarge.


About PAF 5:  Genealogical data can be imported into your favorite family history software using GEDCOM files. Another popular file format is PAF 4 or 5 format. Personal Ancestral File 5.2 is a Windows® based version of one of the most widely-used genealogical management programs for home computers. The software program can be downloaded free of charge via the Internet. PAF 5.2 does not provide genealogical data. Instead, its program helps users organize their family history records. It can produce, in automated or manual form, records for personal family histories or charts and logs to help users in their search for missing ancestors.

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How To Write a Bio

Details to Include:

• Basic details include:
• Date and place of birth and death
• Family information
• Lifetime accomplishments
• Major events of life
• Effects/impact on society, historical significance

Remember, Bios need to be to the point, 1 page or shorter and structured in a way that all details are given without being boring. Bios are great for putting on your blog, or Family History file and keeping the interest of your readers.

Here's a Bio that I wrote for my brother:


William: 'wil' (will, desire) and 'helm' (helmet, protection).

William, a man with a STRONG WILL, fought a courageous battle against cancer, but lost the fight on March 13, 2006.  However, as many can attest, he lives on beyond the veil where the human eye cannot see.


William Aaron Burnes was born in Napa, California on May 29, 1967 to Ronald Eugene Burnes & Linda Ann Johnson Burnes.  He was the Grandson of William & Ruth Burnes, and Aaron & Gloria Johnson, and was given the name William Aaron in honor of his two grandfathers.


He lived life to the fullest and succeeded in all that he did.  “Work hard, play hard with a dose of humor” was his motto.  As a marine in the 3rd Recon Battalion for 5 years, he attended the Maritime Fire Academy.  He was passionate about the work he did as a Commercial Fisherman and a Chief Engineer Contractor.  He was well known for his creative talent and ability to build anything to which he set his mind. Classic cars brought him a great deal of pleasure, starting with his beloved 1978 yellow Camaro.  His travels took him to countries like Korea, Norway, Germany, Greece, Paris, England, and Japan, and enjoyed scuba diving in some of these remote waters. He loved to read positive books by authors such as C.S. Lewis and Lance Armstrong. He admired influential people like; Ronald Regan, WWII Soldiers and tough wild west Cowboys.


The oldest of 11 children, Will provided an example to his siblings and extended family.  He had the desire to assist those less fortunate and was instrumental in helping many get a fresh start in life.  A strong passion for life, and his faith in God inspired by his Christian beliefs, empowered him to love deeper, give more, and fly higher than most could ever dream.
Before his passing, he felt a great connection with his ancestors and began learning more about them.  It was not long before they began calling him home. The pain was gone and he was welcomed into heaven by loved ones excited to see him again.


“Think of him still as the same, I say, He is not dead, he is just away”.  - James Whitcomb Riley


William Aaron Burnes: May 29, 1967 – March 13, 2006

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Getting Started with Genealogy

My top 5 Getting Started Tips: 

Start Organized, Start Talking, Start Recording, Start Researching, Start Sharing

1. Start Organized: The best way to keep your Genealogy organized, is to start organized with these simple materials & programs

• Large 5 Star Notebook. I like this one because it's thick and has 5 folder dividers for your records.
• Your favorite pencil or pen
• Software to archive all the Family info you will be accumulating. Here's one of the FREE software programs I use; PAF 5. You Can download it for FREE by clicking here >> 

2. Start Talking: Call up or email Mom, Dad, Grandma, Grandpa, Aunts, Uncles, Cousin or friends to get you started. I found that men are better at remembering stories from events and women are better at remembering names, dates & places. So use both to get a full detailed record of your family history. As you are talking, make sure you are recording all these details in your notebook or Software program.

3. Start Recording:  If you haven't already downloaded PAF 5, start now. It's free, easy to use, and gives you many different types of reports and pedigrees. This is a free software from the Family Search Website, I love it and you'll love it too!! Click here to download of PAF 5

4. Start Researching:  Unless you have a family Bible with generations of records, you'll need the Internet to launch you into the next step; research. These are my top 7 websites that I use and highly recommend to all: (click on the link to visit the site).

1. Ancestry ~ www.ancestry.com*
2. Family Search ~ www.familysearch.org
3. Archives ~ www.archives.com*
4. Find A Grave ~ www.findagrave.com
5. US Gen Web ~ www.usgenweb.org
6. One Great Family ~ www.onegreatfamily.com*
7. Google ~ www.google.com

*Requires a membership fee that can be payed on monthly or yearly basis, but a Free trial before you decide.

5. Start Sharing:  Once you have recorded your family history, print it out and share it with all your family members, including distant relatives. It's not only a priceless gift, but you are educating your family on your heritage; they will love it!!

Have fun getting started!!

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Think Google Images

Here's Your Tip:  Start using Google Images!!

When it comes to Genealogy, we tend to over-think things. Google is the master mind of the internet (I think) and has made searching very easy.

• Go to www.google.com/images
• type what you're searching for in the search box, and hit "enter" on your keyboard.
• Now only images will come up from your search and you won't have to filter through all the sites.

You'll be amazed at what pictures you find out there on world wide web :) Try it and have fun!!

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Giant Pedigree Chart

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Descendants List

Seek Out Your Roots and You Will FIND Your Life

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Genealogy In a Jar!!

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Family Ancestral File

Seek Out Your Roots and You Will FIND Your Life

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Find Living Cousins

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Call Salt Lake City Family History Center

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Pictures From Grandma

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How I Found Peace

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Lost Pictures Now Found

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My Beliefs

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