As an avid researcher with over thirty years experience, my interest in genealogy probably stems from being born with an unusual surname, Joy, passed down from an 1882 English immigrant. My closest Austin ancestor is my great-great-grandmother, Caroline Honora Austin (1848 - 1919), and due to AFAOA’s policy of including only the spouses, parents in law and children of Austin women who marry and acquire a new surname, you will not find me in this database. Nevertheless, compiling this branch of the Austins is a task that has been near and dear to my heart for the last two years, and will doubtless continue so for many more. I fondly remember the day in July 1999 when after many years of searching, I discovered Caroline’s Austin grandparents - and soon, thanks to Ann Hecathorn, was back to John, the founder of this Austin branch. I really cannot discuss this family or claim credit for this database without explaining that Ann Hecathorn’s work, donated to the AFAOA, has been vital in beginning this compilation. Ann has researched this family for many years, and her father also extensively researched the family.
I am a native of Connellsville, PA; and much of my family goes back to about 1800 there. I earned a BA in Anthropology from the Pennsylvania State University, worked for the Federal Government for a number of years in occupations that changed from Packaging Specialist, to Quality Assurance Specialist, to Supply Systems Analyst, to Systems Analyst and Computer Specialist; while living in Philadelphia, PA, Tobyhanna, PA, and Huntsville, AL. In 1998 I elected early retirement, moved to Bardstown, KY, and in 1999 began to expand my paper based genealogy to include all the wonderful electronic resources available on the Internet.
My proudest accomplishment to date (other than my four children, two of whom still live at home) is becoming the first family member to join the Daughters of the American Revolution (Cox’s Station Chapter) in 2003, based upon my own research. I enjoy traveling with my husband, Earl Lewis, quilting, and teaching Sunday School; and I am a ten-gallon blood donor.