Philip Lang

I was born in 1981 in East Central Minnesota where I continue to live. I have a bachelors in legal studies, a masters in psychology, and a master of divinity. I will be starting doctoral studies soon. I enjoy a plethora of activities; everything from singing, to shooting guns, to hiking, reading, studying ancient history, studying local history, and gaming (online or otherwise). For me, genealogy research is the pinnacle of "local history." I don't care about "learning about me" as much because I don't believe in generational curses, and I realize genetics does play a role but I do not believe it is a huge role. It does fascinate me, however, to learn how my family got to where we are. And, as mentioned, this is the epitome of local history and I enjoy "solving the mysteries."

I live in a small, rural area in Minnesota near where I was raised. I am mostly German in heritage through my mom's side and my dad's side. The majority of my mothers family is German from both sides. My paternal grandmother's father is descended from some of the first English settlers and her father was entirely German. My paternal grandfather's mother was entirely German, the identity of his father is unknown. I have suspicions that the woman identified as his mother was not his mother. But that is just a suspicion.

Interestingly enough my immediate family looks very similar to my dad's immediate family. My grandfather was born in 1893; his first children were born in the early 1920's to his first wife. I know of two and understand he had 3 others besides. He had three more children with my grandmother; my father was the youngest and was 20 years younger than his oldest half-siblings. My dad had children with his first wife who were born in the early 60's. I am the youngest and am approximately 20 years younger than my holder half-siblings.

That said, with the huge age gap, my grandfather and grandmother died long before I was born. My dad died while I was still young in high school. My grandmother also had children born to a different father in the 20's (supposedly three of them, one supposedly died of polio as a child, I know of two). I never met any of my grandfather's older children. I only remember meeting one of my grandmother's older children who died in the 80's. I apparently met one of the others but I do not remember him.

Following in my paternal grandfather's footsteps, most of my siblings are blue-collar workers. I have a history of construction as well. Now I work in corrections while pursuing other education to potentially prepare for chaplaincy in the prison system but to teach at a small college or university after I retire from this job.