Genealogy

Those who have died have never never left,
The dead have a pact with the living,
They are in the woman’s breast,
They are in the wailing child,
They are with us in the home,
They are with us in the crowd,
The dead have a pact with the living…

‘Tis the ancestors’ breath
In the voice of the waters.

By Sweet Honey in the Rock

If you’ve ever had even the smallest curiosity about your ancestors, think about creating a family tree. Even if it’s only you, your grandparents and great grandparents, it will be a wonderful record for you and your family. It might light a spark in you or a family member, like it did for me, and so far I have recorded over 1000 people connected in some way to both of our families.

Talk to family members about their life from childhood to the present. Firsthand knowledge, no matter how little, is a precious gift. Write up a few questions to get started, arrange to have a comfy talk with your relative, and just relax and have fun listening to their stories. I wish I had made an audio recording of some of my “sessions”, because no matter how well you take notes, there’s always something that turns up puzzling you later. And, it's wonderful to hear someone's voice that is no longer with you.

I am a member of Ancestry.com, which has provided me with a huge amount of resource material, as well as a place to record all kinds of family history and pictures. It requires paying a monthly fee, but they have a free trial that enables you to collect information and experience what the web site has to offer. If you really get into it, I highly recommend the site.

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