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What Good Is Knowing Your Genealogy?                          2017 01 01
Lesson 015...                                                                                                 Published Monthly

Does Anyone Else See The Point?...
At some point in time, it seems everyone wonders about their history, even if it's only momentary.
That spark of interest can be deeper than you think. It's a yearning to link the past to present.

That curiosity can be enough to fuel anything from a casual inquiry to a lifelong passion.
It can be as subtle as the grass underfoot or as bold as a car crash. We all feel at different levels!

Whatever it is that first inspired you is likely to continue nudging until the answers are found.
Embrace it! This is who you are, and you should celebrate and enjoy that thirst!
There are more benefits for these efforts than meet the eye!

If you're fortunate, other family members may also share your interest, maybe even enthusiasm!
Many will have only a passing interest-That's okay! Use that oportunity to spread knowledge!
Remember, don't overload them with stories, facts and other points you find facinating.

As with most endeavors, there are usually a few local groups with like-minded persons.
This is where you'll find people that share your enthusiasm-Regardless of name!
They've collected a lot more fact-finding knowledge than you realize!


What Do I Do With This Newfound Knowledge?...
There are several ways you might choose from to put the things you learn to good use.
Each one of them will take a significant amount of time to pursue, so it's best to list your options first.

Along the way you'll most likely discover some uncomfortable/politically incorrect things.
It's important to remember that people have spent their lives believing facts as they know them.
Simply because you've unearthed other data doesn't mean they'll accept it-or possibly you any longer!

For many, it's likely that they do nothing outwardly with this information. Inwardly may be different!
Any knowledge gained impacts our feelings as well as actions. "Having no opinion" is a falsehood.
The amygdala forms first where all sensory channels connect to the brain-Feelings start here!

Someone told me long ago: "Once we know something, we can never go back to not knowing."
Since then, awareness has become more of a friend than ever. It seems to grow on itself.
This new awareness can be extremely helpful while examining historical documents.


Isn't There Anything Bigger Than That?...
Most people start out in their quests pretty much the same.
Wondering who their grandfathers and great-grandfathers were...
Seemingly a basic interest, it soon leads to finding more generations!

Something that can be of use to this site and its readers, is listing equal parentage!
That is, we tend to follow father lines while biologically, the mother contributes equal DNA!
While understood, it usually isn't regarded as highly, as people seem more interested in surnames.

Hopefully, the enthusiasm igniting your passion will still burn long after discovering your surnames!
When the search for surnames has been satisfied, you can begin the hunt for your bloodline!
The collection of people bringing DNA to the culmination of who you are is extrordinary!

Take a moment to understand the larger picture and imagine it exponentially for each member.
Seeing a demo flowchart in the "trickle-down" format may help give a better perspective.
This is why so many previous generation members are important in a family tree!

Flowcharts of this nature help gain a more complete insight regarding ones true heredity.
As with everything, time is always at a premium, and choices have to be made.
Paternal lineage is usually the chosen path due to surname interest.


What Good Is All This Information?...
Surprisingly, you don't have to wait until its completion to be of some use!
Try this if your spouse doesn't share your eagerness for graveyards or library repositories.
There is of course the unrealistic expectation that almost everyone will enjoy learning history.

Still, it ranks among the most popular hobbies in the United States at this time!
What that means is that the information you gathered (If accurate) may have value!
To a businessman that of course means money, but to amateurs, it means even more!

Of course there is the feeling of self satisfaction when accomplishing such an epic task!
Moreso though, is the power of sharing it with others. It can hopefully have a "ripple-effect"!
When more people are of a common historical bond, there is less likely to be strife between them.

With learning comes a natural sense of trust in what you've discovered. An awe of discovery.
A feeling very different than when reading the approved standards from the assigned textbooks.
There becomes an understanding of how and why you came to be exactly who and where you are.


Why Save Your Tree When So Many Sites Are Already Doing That?...
Accuracy. Truth. Preparedness. Family. The list of reasons goes on...
History is disappearing at an alarming rate, and being replaced with social media memes.
The reasons for these falsehoods range from jokes and satire to political and ideological agendas.

A few genealogical databases are still free to explore (We all have our favorites!).
Expecting that to remain without change is an extremely careless and unrealistic approach.
Thinking that you will be able to share "pay site files" elswhere after joining them may also be wrong.

The two reasons shown above are always in danger of becoming the norm.
Websites that continue to give a freeflow of information should be applauded-Support them!
Anyone doing longterm genealogy knows that "free sites" are bought and then allowed to die off.

The United States has a very different genealogical background appreciation than others.
Other countries celebrate only their own history and heritage while we practice theirs as well.
That's largely due to people being unaware of their own wider heritage beyond their grandparents.

While it's perfectly fine to be entranced with ones own origins, it seems shallow to represent only one.
As shown in the demo above, we each have hundreds of contributors. The task is to attach names.
Unless those immigrating only marry their own, their children have an American heritage as well.


The Basic Rules...
First...
You are the first and primary reason or "point" of why knowing genealogy is so important!
Many other arguements exist, but without you, none of them will ever come to pass!

Second...
Do your own research, examine documents with your own eyes, trust what you find.
Remember: Reports are only someone elses interpretation of a given document.

Third...
Save your tree to separate discs regularly. Don't wait for an accident to happen.
Having to pay for images and information you once had won't be pleasant.


As always...
What you'll choose to do with this information is up to you.
It will at least serve as a stepping stone for further knowledge.
You should be applauded for your willingness to educate yourself.

These are only basic guidelines, and can always be adjusted to suit your personal needs or budget.
Hopefully the knowledge gained here will help you to be better positioned as a family historian!

      Happy searches!!

        Massachusetts

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