Clay in My Boots: A Romp Through My Genealogical Past

Happy New Year to my Family,   For this year's Genealogy update, again I choose to focus on the towns of Birzia in Lithuania and Kremenets in Ukraine.   Last year, I talked about Birzia from the perspective of Charles Highstein as well as Helen, and their Aunt Hannah Sandler and Uncle Morris Highstein. Hannah Gnendel (née Chait) Sandler took on a special meaning for me this past year. Her great-great granddaughter, Melanie is a fellow genealogist. Melanie organized a get together in Bethesda with me, her sister Allison, her Uncle Marc and his kids. We had a wonderful time chatting about family relationships and comparing some family lore. I am so excited that there are a number of young people including Melanie, that have taken an interest in the Mitzvah of remembering our ancestors ( http://www.zchor.org/KURZ.HTM ).   Hannah Sandler also brings special meaning to me this year, because of the birth of Hannah Jane, my grand-niece (b.  11/21/2019 ), who I've been told is named fo