Do genealogy? Really?
Perhaps, it was Friday or maybe the day before… Becky (my wife) and I were discussing why I do genealogy work. More precisely, the question we were discussing focused on what advantages or benefits I (the genealogy fanatic) actually attain from my endeavors. Because, wealth most certainly was not among them.
But in all seriousness, this posting is really nothing more than a catalog of my thoughts on this question/ topic. It is simply a topic I thought our readership might find interesting. And, I thought it might be worthwhile for me to archive my ponderings here, as well.
Perhaps my reasons might provide others with some food for thought; or heaven forbid, these thoughts might even provide a bit of fodder for an argument or discussion. Having set the stage, here goes my initial list:
- I guess the primary benefit I derive from my genealogy work is the opportunity for self examination, introspection. In the time I spend doing this work, (endless hours, Becky might say) I have an opportunity to analyze how I feel about my life, my family, and my hopes for both. I have time to focus and contemplate on what was, and what might be. Obviously, I don’t get any of the answers in “the what might be” category. But, I do see or think of patterns that I never thought of before I did this type of work…
- Secondarily, genealogy affords me both the circumstance and time to examine my feelings about and towards others. I especially value my opportunity to examine the breadth and diversity of the human experience and existence, especially as it has involved and consumed my family over time. I enjoy examining the culture, history, and mores of those times and places I never knew, nor ever experienced.
- Thirdly, genealogy allows me to speculate upon the hows and whys around life’s twists and turns. How did we get to be in those circumstances? Why did things turn out that way? I am not certain that I ever arrive at an answer, but I enjoy the process of examination.
- I relish the opportunity to discuss and rationalize the options, dilemmas, problems and joys faced by my predecessors. I find their situation, when combined with the historical situations of their home place, adds depth and meaning to my view of history’s progress. This research also helps me examine the complexity of the options they faced as individuals, societies, and families. Interestingly, this thought process also helps me appreciate the levels and depths of their sacrifices and choices, even when I personally might have an intellectual disagreement with what they did or chose…
- Ah yes and then, there are the joys of mystery and discovery, followed closely by their child, investigation. I continually marvel at what information and insight there is to be found. Not to mention my joy and amazement at the vast number of options available to assist in genealogical and historical research. As a perennial data gatherer, there is a lot to be found and a dizzying array of tools being created daily, it seems, to support this discovery.
Yes, for me the discoveries can be amazing and the joy exhilarating.
Oh and did I mention, you also might find pieces and parts of your family and it history???
Jun 10, 2012 @ 08:04:46
All of these are very valid reasons, and I agree with you wholeheartedly.
I think I initially began to give my self a sense of belonging in a particular family. I was the only child of my parent’s union and they did both remarry and have other children with their second spouses. I love my siblings but at times I felt I didn’t belong to either group. I know it may sound odd to others, but I always felt growing up I was an outsider looking in rather than a sense of belonging. Genealogy has given me a sense of where I belong in the family.
Secondly I love history, puzzles and logic problems; genealogy is all that rolled up into one!
Thanks Mark for the really insightful post.
E
Jun 10, 2012 @ 09:03:02
I agree with you Mark that the rewards of genealogy are positive. One element that I particularly find rewarding is the joy of finding the next piece of the puzzle. Brick Walls, newspaper research, working out transcription errors. I like soduku puzzles but genealogy is a better challenge. Another gain is the contact with others that are in some way related, through family or the genealogy bug. There are so many kind people offering assistance and there are those who are really grateful if you manage to crack a mystery that has vexed them.
Jun 10, 2012 @ 14:14:53
Mark, All these points you are mentioning are well made. We all need to know where we have come from and this too helps lead our way into the future and for generations that will follow us as they use our examples we set the good and bad.
Jun 10, 2012 @ 15:41:30
Like each of you, I find the discovery joyful and “surprising”.
Jun 10, 2012 @ 22:52:41
I like the depth and breadth of your ponderings on why we do genealogy, Mark. Everything you said hit a chord with me. I would add that one of the great paradoxes of life is to see ourselves as we might have been, or may yet become, and nowhere have I found it more piquant than in the discoveries from my research.
Such as, discovering that my ancestors were on both sides of the war in the American Civil War, sometimes even from the same family. Lately I have been working in Medieval records, and found that my one family line was on the winning side in the battle of Val-as-Dunes in 1047. Another of my direct lines was on the losing side, and died in the battle.
We won. We lost.