Ancestry Magazine

When my husband and I moved into our home eight years ago, I was in the midst of a major writing project and was not as organized as I should have been.

I always wished that I were more like “Daddy”—the uncle who raised me. He must have been the most organized person I’ve ever known.
My cluttered desk stands in stark contrast to his desk. Every paper and writing tool was kept neatly and exactly where he knew to find it.

Much of this issue of “Ancestry” is dedicated to the advances that have recently been made that will enable us to find proof of our ancestors’; arrivals and their citizenship status, and to find the paper trail that will lead us to other landmark and everyday events in their lives.

Years, distance, and over-extended lifestyles too often separate us from those we care about these days. So when a chance to bond again with long-absent family and friends at a reunion comes around, most of us will do everything we can to be there. This summer people everywhere will be getting together to celebrate some common cause and to enjoy each other’s company.

As family historians, we have a deeper-than-average sense of history. More than names and dates on a sterile pedigree backdrop, the human experiences of our ancestors have a unique power to teach us, guide us, and inspire us.

As I read the wonderful author contributions in this magazine, I was reminded of the richness and diversity of the historical materials that are increasingly available for us to mine for family history.

I was asked about family history on a radio show. The first question was, “How many people are actually interested in family history, and more importantly, why?”
Not long ago, I was asked to answer some questions about family history on a radio show.

Not long ago, I was asked to answer some questions about family history on a radio show. As expected, the first question was, “How many people are actually interested in family history, and more importantly, why?” Previous interviews had taught me that media people want hard numbers, so I had come prepared.

It’s funny how the kind words and wisdom of a total stranger can stay with you for decades. Sometimes they resurface, unexpectedly bringing light and warmth out of nowhere.
Trying hard not to repeat the frenzy that tends to mar holidays, I’ve made up my mind to set aside at least one hour a day to savor the memories of people and seasons that have touched and brightened my life.

Nothing can stir up memories or bring the past to life more powerfully than a photograph. People everywhere love photographs and most of us would rank them among our most prized possessions.
For the longest time, I’ve been meaning to better organize the photos, movies, tape recordings, and videos I ‘ve collected over the years.