Preview

She worked for an insurance company for 38 years and now she’s retired and ready to throw everything she has into what she calls an “obsession.”

“I’m so curious about everyone’s past,” Gordon said. “But don’t worry, I’m not at all a stalker. This is fun and I’m so addicted to it: the find, going on a hunt and collecting things and then finding something new to help find a family member.”

Her compassion and commitment are why Claire Hussey, Gordon’s longtime friend, nominated her as the Monitor’s latest entry into its Hometown Hero series.

Gordon works tirelessly, rarely giving up despite numerous setbacks, and she accepts no money for her service. She pays for any supplies needed.

“Occasionally I get a gift card,” Gordon said. “I don’t charge by the hour or by the genealogy. I did it once and was given $100, but I knew I should not have done that. Then it becomes work.”

She and her sister started to wonder about their past, soon after Gordon’s father passed away in 1990.

“After dad died, we did not know who we were or where we came from,” Gordon said by phone. Later in an email, she wrote, “My sister and I became intrigued as to our heritage. We began on our own family.”

They learned that their father’s great-grandfather – George Washington Gordon – was a captain during the Civil War. He was killed at the Battle of Cold Harbor in 1863 and left two children.

“Other than that,” Gordon wrote, “we knew nothing.”

They also discovered that seven of their descendants were passengers on the Mayflower.

“It was an exciting moment for my family,” Gordon wrote. “I so wished my father had still been alive so we could have told him. I think that’s where my passion really took off.”

By 2009, after Gordon had purchased a subscription to Ancestry.com, word spread, about the kind woman in a small town somewhere in New England who spent hours online, searching for the past. Gordon sought newspapers, history books, state archives, microfilm, birth records, marriage records, death records, obituaries, census records and registration records for those who served during World Wars I or II.

“I do this for every generation I can find until there are no more,” Gordon said. “There are some brick walls that just cannot be torn down. Sometimes the records or proof I need just is not there. However, I don’t give up very easily when I do a family history. It’s an obsession.”

It’s also appreciated by clients from all over the country. Gordon shared some of their messages of thanks, leaving out last names to respect their privacy. But the notes that Gordon has received in recent years are quite clear in meaning.

Ann lives in Pennsylvania and wrote, “I am forever grateful for the findings from my new friend, Jane.”

Shane wrote, “I definitely would not have been able to break through the ‘brick wall’ without you.”

Added Chris: “This is absolutely wonderful receiving this information, much of which is new to me. I can’t wait to dig into it.”

And from Christine, “I was elated and so impressed with all that she found. She is much better than Ancestry. Jane is a lovely person and I hope to meet her someday in person.”

And then there was the email from Abby, who two years ago, wrote, “I’ve spent my whole life wondering about my African American half. My history, family heritage, was all revealed to me thanks to a total stranger. You’ve basically become my fairy godmother.”

Gordon estimates that she’s worked on 50 cases over the past 13 years, each one free of charge. She said finding clients is simple.

“They pop up all the time,” Gordon said. “I’m always working on someone. Everyone comes from somewhere.”