Ancestry Magazine

Sometimes a knowledgeable genealogist is worth a million electronic sources.

This is the Age of Information, a major era in the development of humankind. Genealogy is experiencing the same pull toward high technology that all aspects of life are experiencing. Anyone, it seems, not headed for the on-ramp to the information superhighway will be left in the dust particles of silicone chips, wondering just how the average family historian could ever track his ancestors. This is the scenario if we listen to the pundits. Upon reflection, however, we realized that some of our most interesting, informative, and rewarding experiences in genealogy were of a very “low-tech” nature.

In 1974 (also known as 6 B.P.C.-Before Personal Computers), we were on a data-gathering trip to a small parish in the province of Quebec where we hoped to locate records of some lost ancestors. (We now know we did not actually have to go there. At that time, however, we thought records only existed where they were created.) It was July, and few places on earth are more beautiful than Quebec in the summer. The air was so clean and crisp we could actually taste it. We felt as if we were sharing time and space with our ancestors, breathing the same air they had breathed.

A priest in the parish told us of an older gentleman who was something of an expert in the genealogies of the families from that area. Since four of the families we were researching were possibly from that parish (and since we were somewhat uncertain as to our actual research objective), he suggested we visit this Monsieur Richard to see if he might be able to help.

The Richard Farm
The priest directed us to a small and charming eighteenth-century farmhouse, still very much an operating farm, not far from the parish church. As we approached the front door, we were a little apprehensive about disturbing this eighty-something fellow, as we were not certain he could help us. Our apprehensions were put on hold when our knock was answered by a charming lady who introduced herself as Madame Richard. Fortunately Terry’s family had maintained their French through three generations following the emigration of their ancestors. Terry spoke with Madame Richard in French and explained our presence.

“But of course!” Madame Richard exclaimed. “Many people seek my husband’s help in tracing their families. Come. Let me take you to him.”

We exchanged questioning glances as Madame Richard led us through the house, out the back door, and across a small yard to a two-story barn. If we were not certain earlier, we now knew we were crazy to be doing this.

“Now, Monsieur Richard is a little hard of hearing,” she explained, leading us up a narrow staircase to the second floor, “but he loves to talk about genealogy.”

She rapped loudly on the wooden door and announced who was there. After a short wait, the door creaked open and Madame Richard explained our presence. She stepped aside to let us enter, and then quietly retreated down the stairs and back to her kitchen.

A Library in the Barn
In spite of being in a still-active barn (our noses convinced us of that), we entered one of the most beautiful personal libraries we had ever seen. In fact, it challenged any research facility we had ever used. The walls were lined from floor to ceiling with books, and in the middle of the room there was a huge library table covered with documents and notes. Seated behind this table, bifocals hanging precariously on the end of his nose, was Monsieur Richard. He greeted us formally but warmed up as he explained the layout of his library. He positively beamed as he showed us his collection, especially those books that were rare.

After Terry explained who had referred us to him, he asked which names we were researching. We stated the surnames in question.

“Non, non, non,” he said, “not just the family name but the full name.”

Somewhat startled, we gave him the full names of the people we thought to be from that parish in the late nineteenth century.

“Ah, oui,” he sighed, leaning back in his comfortable chair and closing his eyes as if he were about to nap.

After a short pause, during which we were convinced he had fallen asleep, he began to recite-from memory-the complete genealogy of each name we had given him. We could hardly take notes fast enough. He detailed where in the parish these people had lived and when they had left. After this thirty-minute recital he stopped, looked at both of us, and said, “Welcome cousins!”

We have since verified every bit of data received from Monsieur Richard, all of it accurate, and we often relate this experience when we teach genealogy classes. It serves as a gentle reminder that in this world of high-speed data transfer, CD-ROMs, and gigabytes, one potential source of genealogical information which should not be overlooked is that gifted person who has a passion for the history and genealogy of an area.

Terry and Jim Willard hosted the ten-part PBS series Ancestors. They have researched their genealogy fifteen generations back on both sides.