Thursday, September 17, 2009

Family History

I'm back! Yes, I know it's been a while. I've been writing still. There have been more articles and I've also spent some time developing ideas for a series of children's stories. The rest of the time was spent doing genealogy research. For those of you that have tried, you know it can be time-consuming. Some of my family has already been researched, but a big part has not. I wished that I had started asking questions and taking down names and dates when the thought first crossed my mind a few years back. Now, I'm just hoping to get as much history from those that are left by re-establishing relationships and getting to know those that I should have all along. It's entirely too easy to get caught up in my own world. Still, there's no reason I can't at least send a quick email now and again. After all, even my dad has an email account (that my mom checks for him). The rest have telephones, even the ones who live in the middle of nowhere.

I have decided to take a little time and write down some of my family's bright moments. That way, when my kids are grown and their kids are asking questions, they won't have to look far for the answers. There's no guarantee I'll be around to tell them in person, but it doesn't mean I can't do it in my own words.

Do you know your family's history. Where did they come from and why did they come here? How did they make a way for themselves? Why does your family have certain traditions or a lack there of? How did their experiences influence them and you?

4 comments:

  1. Hello this is Derrick. i want to say welcome back. I look forward to reading your post.

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  2. Why thank you Derrick! I have definitely been gone too long.

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  3. Hi! We have a pretty strong family in my eyes. We have a family reunion nearly every year. We used to do it in different states and do fun stuff together, but the elders are getting old and it is hard for them to travel, so we keep it in the same place, Williamsburg, VA. My daughter and I don't mind we never get enough of Busch Gardens, the Great Wolf Lodge, etc. etc. butothers think we shoudl resume doing different things every year. I think the younger folks should get together and do a cousins weekend or day. Anyway, see we are close enough to have disagreements, which is by far COOL with me. I love my family and need to act like they aren't all gonna be there all the time. I hate to think that way. But hte elders are getting into their 80's and early 90's now (damn we got good genes)! Peace.

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  4. I know some of my family's history...we are a huge family! My Dad is the oldest of 9 and his mother and her father are still alive. Yep, my great-grandfather and the girls' great-great grandfather. On my mom's side, I know we had a pretty sordid history in Ireland and came to US as an escape. Kind of a crazy bunch.
    I would love to research it more. I sometimes feel that I have too many relative to keep track of (I'm the oldest of 26 first cousins...)
    Welcome back! You were missed...

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