Back when I was attending college, oh so long ago, I worked in a library. One of my friends was about 20 years older than I and he was in charge of what we called "Special Collections". This was the room that contained all the local history, newspaper microfilms and genealogy resources. My father and I began an adventure, courtesy of my friend Walter, which has lasted a lifetime...well, a lifetime and a half since my father has now passed away and I have not as of the time of this writing! We started tracing the history of our family.
As any person interested in family history will tell you, you'll always have those family members who will ask, "Are you done with that family history yet?". That question will make the genealogist's eyes roll because there is no such thing as a 'complete' family history! The other question the genealogist may encounter is from those who wonder, "Why do you want to know all this stuff? It is all past and not of any use." I propose to suggest some uses for your 'useless' family history.
A genealogist thrives on obscure documents. One of the most useful of those documents is the 'Death Certificate'. Usually the certificate will have on it a listed cause of death and an age at death. Combining your family history chart with a cause of death for each of your ancestors can show you interesting patterns. Some of these patterns can be life-saving. For instance, noticing that your lineage includes a history of certain kinds of cancer or other diseases may indicate to you that routine exams should be targeting these for early detection. Even a chart going back for a very few generations can be helpful.
Along with knowing the causes of death for a few generations it may be possible for you to compile known non-fatal diseases and illnesses for at least two generations in either direction from your own. For instance, if your grandfather had asthma, two of his children had asthma, four of their children as well, you now have a traceable connection. The same can be applied to illnesses like diabetes, arthritis and heart problems. Many genealogy programs have screens especially for keeping track of this kind of information. Be aware that sometimes such issues are sensitive, so don't publish data like this indiscriminately.
Another use for family history can bring you financial rewards. For instance, connecting your family tree to certain events such as the American Revolution may help in finding money for college. The Daughters of the American Revolution site states, "Any woman is eligible for membership who is no less than eighteen years of age and can prove lineal, blood line descent from an ancestor who aided in achieving American independence", and there are scholarships available only to members of the DAR. (source: http://www.dar.org/natsociety/edout_scholar.cfm, 1/17/2008) Likewise, connection to specific ethnic groups may help in the same way if the connection is close enough.
A third use for family history may be a little more intangible, but still valuable. Having an interest in family history promotes an interest in history in general. It may give your children topics and stories to build upon for school assignments. It may build your general knowledge of subjects such as writing, history, math and technology.
In terms of ego-building, it is always nice to be thought of as the 'go-to' person for something. Rarely are there more than a few people in a family really interested in such topics, so you will likely be the instant expert. If you want to carry it far enough you can even write a book on your family! Just be sure to keep the juicy but controversial bits from the last generation or so properly private or you'll be the 'go-to' person in other respects.
There are many uses, very practical uses, for family history. If you haven't started yet, now is the time to do so. People die, and with it their first-hand knowledge. Pictures and letters are destroyed by accident and on purpose. Homes are sold, people's memories fade. You can't recover these things later, but if you start preserving them now you will not regret it.
Happy hunting!
As any person interested in family history will tell you, you'll always have those family members who will ask, "Are you done with that family history yet?". That question will make the genealogist's eyes roll because there is no such thing as a 'complete' family history! The other question the genealogist may encounter is from those who wonder, "Why do you want to know all this stuff? It is all past and not of any use." I propose to suggest some uses for your 'useless' family history.
A genealogist thrives on obscure documents. One of the most useful of those documents is the 'Death Certificate'. Usually the certificate will have on it a listed cause of death and an age at death. Combining your family history chart with a cause of death for each of your ancestors can show you interesting patterns. Some of these patterns can be life-saving. For instance, noticing that your lineage includes a history of certain kinds of cancer or other diseases may indicate to you that routine exams should be targeting these for early detection. Even a chart going back for a very few generations can be helpful.
Along with knowing the causes of death for a few generations it may be possible for you to compile known non-fatal diseases and illnesses for at least two generations in either direction from your own. For instance, if your grandfather had asthma, two of his children had asthma, four of their children as well, you now have a traceable connection. The same can be applied to illnesses like diabetes, arthritis and heart problems. Many genealogy programs have screens especially for keeping track of this kind of information. Be aware that sometimes such issues are sensitive, so don't publish data like this indiscriminately.
Another use for family history can bring you financial rewards. For instance, connecting your family tree to certain events such as the American Revolution may help in finding money for college. The Daughters of the American Revolution site states, "Any woman is eligible for membership who is no less than eighteen years of age and can prove lineal, blood line descent from an ancestor who aided in achieving American independence", and there are scholarships available only to members of the DAR. (source: http://www.dar.org/natsociety/edout_scholar.cfm, 1/17/2008) Likewise, connection to specific ethnic groups may help in the same way if the connection is close enough.
A third use for family history may be a little more intangible, but still valuable. Having an interest in family history promotes an interest in history in general. It may give your children topics and stories to build upon for school assignments. It may build your general knowledge of subjects such as writing, history, math and technology.
In terms of ego-building, it is always nice to be thought of as the 'go-to' person for something. Rarely are there more than a few people in a family really interested in such topics, so you will likely be the instant expert. If you want to carry it far enough you can even write a book on your family! Just be sure to keep the juicy but controversial bits from the last generation or so properly private or you'll be the 'go-to' person in other respects.
There are many uses, very practical uses, for family history. If you haven't started yet, now is the time to do so. People die, and with it their first-hand knowledge. Pictures and letters are destroyed by accident and on purpose. Homes are sold, people's memories fade. You can't recover these things later, but if you start preserving them now you will not regret it.
Happy hunting!
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