The first edition of our genealogy
blog for 2014 is about reflection; appropriate for this time of year. We begin
by reflecting on some comments that have
developed during our genealogy quests. Although the discussions here are
certainly our own integrated viewpoints, they are tempered by other
genealogists’ perspectives – amateur and professional. As always, feedback is
encouraged.
It is a good idea to remember
that genealogy is an elastic discipline. While it involves well-developed practices
and procedures, including science, it also thrives on patience, persistence, constant
fact checking, intuitiveness, and story-telling. The latter being a time-honored
history technique, not necessarily to be confused with the fabrication of
events.
The first comment we consider
is: why bother with genealogy in the first place?
Fair enough. It does take a lot of time and effort and, if one does it with any
resolve, it can be expensive. We have certainly encountered amply reasons for not pursuing one’s genealogy, such as: that’s
on my bucket list after retiring, kinship loathing and/or resentment over some real
or imaginary family contrariness, social antipathy, and don’t know where/how to
start. However, in the current effort we’ll strive to focus on the positive. After
all, life is ephemeral.
People get involved in
genealogy for a variety of reasons. Developing an hereditary
roadmap to trace one’s family is high on the list. Wanting to find one’s place
in history, or to give history and geography a grander perspective, are also
popular motives. On balance, finding out where our DNA may have been, the places our extended family may have occupied in history, or why great, great relatives
found it necessary to play “hide and seek” with history, are not trivial for
those with a strong sense of curiosity.
Speaking of bucket lists – Age
is not a friend of genealogy. When actor Martin Sheen agreed to participate
in researching his family’s history on Who Do You Think You Are?, he said, “I’m 71 years
old and I don’t know how much longer I’ll be around. I [am] doing it for my
grandchildren and their children.” Hence, another reason budding genealogists
get involved. Unfortunately, some arrive at the table after the potage is cold
and then try to study the remains of a once exquisite ancestral smorgasbord. As
a general rule, by the time seniors are willing and anxious to talk about their
own or their ancestor’s lives it can be difficult trying to recall personal
memories, or tease out the memories of others. Thus, the time to start is
yesterday. One discovery is that within any given clan (extended family cluster) one or two individuals have devoted themselves to documenting the
family tree, or pedigree. Usually unsung, and sometimes unknown, these
individuals work to prod, document and classify the family “jewels.” Identifying
these persons and collaborating is important.
Health is
another reason that tracing one’s ancestors is becoming popular. A good
old-fashioned gum-shoe genealogist can gather a lot about how ancestors’ lived
and cause of death. This form of genetic prospecting can produce interesting results.
As an example, for years William taught a college course on health and
wellness. A requirement was for students to use standard genealogy methods to
trace and document their ancestors’ for at least three generations, and
further if possible, paying special attention to health, age and cause of death.
Typically, many students went to their parents for information. Many of these parents
admitted they knew little about their own parents and even less about their
grandparents, even though the grandparents might still be living. Birth, death,
and census records were introduced. One male student actually wept while
relating a conversation he had with his grandfather (gf). His great-grandfather
(ggf) had lost several fingers to frostbite and other injuries while attending
a picket line for better coal mine health and safety. Eventually, the student’s
grandfather, father and other family members benefited from the ggf’s
sacrifice. When the student asked the gf why this story was not related to his
son (students father), the student’s gf indicated the father never seem to care
enough to ask about his grandfather. The student vowed that was never going to
happen to his family. Time will tell. Another young lady taking the course
moved to seek genetic counseling after learning a certain disease seemed to
manifest in her maternal ancestors. Her physician didn’t seem to care and, of
course, had no way of doing an adequate history since the family had not keep
records, verbal or otherwise. The stories were plentiful over the years, conveying
military service, incredible hardships and tragedies, heroics and abundant surprises.
If only a few of these lost stories were able to find a home with this current
generation, the effort was worthwhile. At least some of the students thought
so. As an aside, DNA analysis for medical and health purposes has been
available for decades. Unfortunately, the recent offer of making this service
available to the general public is coming under criticism. William is doing
research on this issue and may address it in a future blog.
Socializing and curiosity are
also reasons people find ancestry snooping popular. Some are anxious to learn about
previously unknown relatives (cousins, uncles, aunts, et al.), which can be a gateway
to further exploration and discoveries. Some like the possibility of being
linked to popular, famous or infamous personalities. Some simply enjoy the new
past-time of using genealogical social media to do whatever these individuals
do to exchange passing fantasies or otherwise enrich their lives. Ever hear a
parent muse, “That cannot be a child of mine”, or a child declare, “no way is
that dodo my real parent!” Well, now there are genealogical tools for settling that.
Travel and adventure is
another excuse to chase ancestors. Genealogical tourism involves visiting
cemeteries, taverns, monuments, battlefields, museums and relatives, at home
and abroad. Such adventures can provide a sense of discovery, and expose historical and familial connections. Few people are immune to the respect, awe and other
emotions that can accompany such genealogical treasure hunting.
Common access
joins the reasons genealogy has become so wide-spread and popular during the
past 15-20 years (about 1 generation). Until about 2 generations ago the
general population relied on verbal stories, along with faded photos, as the
primary method by which our culture tried to relate the history of family connections.
All too frequently this method was subject to misinformation, distortion and
deliberate obfuscation. Formal genealogical societies were often limited to
“connected” people with built-in pedigrees. Most people found membership too
difficult.
Since the 1990s the explosion
of technology through computers and enhanced DNA science has created a
fire-storm of interest, activity and access. Even modern transportation and
reduced travel restrictions around the world play a part. Today’s genealogist has resources that their ancestors never dreamed about.
Today, the internet allows
fast, world-wide research, including DNA testing and other resources. Government
records (census, births, deaths, library records, etc.), family archivists,
genealogical societies, and surname projects are now readily available. Genealogy
has become a “virtual” growth industry. Positions for genealogists have
expanded, and higher education offers a variety of genealogy-infused
disciplines and degrees. Medical and health related genealogy is expanding
rapidly across a range of areas.
Exploring the historical and
scientific facets of human development and evolution is
an attractive feature of modern genealogy. Those with social and science
backgrounds and interests (history, medicine, biology, paleontology; anthropology;
human settlement patterns, etc.) are fascinated with the work being done by
world-wide DNA projects. The Interdisciplinary nature of these efforts enhance the process. Where this will go within the next decade seems limited
only by one’s imagination.
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