I have been spending a good bit of time on Ancestry.com lately investigating my family tree and learning a lot about the history of my family.
Quite surprisingly, most of the old paper records from as far back as the 19th Century have survived and have been converted into digital form that can be accessed from anywhere in the world. These archives contain an amazing amount of data about the people that came before us and how they lived.
Although knowing a little more about our ancestors tells us a lot about who we are and where we came from, it doesn’t really have any direct effect on the rest of our lives or where we go from here.
We are the engineers of our own destiny. We are not governed by pedigree or lineage.
And while it’s kind of fun to learn about where we come from, it’s so much more important to decide for ourselves where we are going!
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Perhaps knowing the perseverance one finds in the family tree research is an indication of the gene for 'working' (oh, i thought we had one!) drive some of us have...interesting as it is Richard, we all do need to find our own direction and own inner drive. I always felt that my grandpa had a big influence on my drive to succeed after hearing how he lost everything in the depression & then slowly rebuilt a smaller biz afterwards...i always wanted to be accountable to 'me'...
I agree with you. The history is important and interesting to know but knowing where we are going and having those goals is what gets us to the next level. You can't drive forward while looking in the rear view mirror!
Thank you for the reminder. I agree we should know where we want to go and what we want to achieve.
Richard, I'm surprised by where my family roots came from and where they ended up after coming to the US. Very telling times back then, now it seems folks stay closer to where they are born.
This is too deep for me today. Hadn't planned to do any thinking today. In fact, I'm skipping a planned tech training day at my BOR today to rest my brain.
Now you want me to think.
Knowing our ancestry and family history helps us understand from whence we came, but nothing, nothing can prepare us for the future which is subject to many, many outside influences.
Knowing the history is no more than interesting. Knowing the future is impossible.
Very true. It matters not who came before you only what lies within you! Ancestors often exist only to explain our failures and flaws!
Richard, I recently started putting together my family tree as well. I was suprised to find my Great Grandparents on the 1920 census!
Richard - Research on my ancestry helped me and my dad to believe we could survive through a very difficult time in our lives. We learned we were from hardy stock that tended to live long lives and survive through difficult times. Just knowing that gave us the strength to endure. Our lives are so easy compared to our ancestors.
So, Richard, tell us what you found out about your family history.
My grandmother did a fairly exhaustive research of our family tree. And that was back in the day when there was no internet to make it easy... years and years of letter writing and even a visit to Utah to personally search records.
The result is that I have a fairly good idea of who my ancestors were... and in some cases, what they went through. I think that is a good grounding for the future. Knowing that Samuel Tower came to the US as an indentured servet, bought out his indenture, then became one of the largest land-owners in his area reminds me that I should have it in me to get past whatever little speedbumps are in my way.
Sitting in my office is the cavalry sabre of my Grandmother's Grandfather. He rode with Sherman on the March to the Sea. I heave read some of his letters home and his diary entries from his time fighting the Civil war... again, teaching me about the hardships that he faced.
We do have to look out of the windshield as we go forward, but having a frame of reference is certainly something that can provide motivation.
My case is interesting, because little is known beyond my grandfather on BOTH sides of my family. My grandmother told me years ago that her mother was forced to leave her boyfriend in Italy and marry a man that she did not know.
And interesting enough, my grandmother did not speak Italian. Her father insisted that no Italian was to be spoken. Grandmother said that her father would say:
"We are in America now. We speak English."
In a way, it's kind of sad that an important part of her cultural heritage was eliminated. But it is also a reflection of the times.
Hi Richard. I think it is great fun to look back and find out about our roots if we can. I like to find the positive and hold that in my heart.
Ginny...
Life was so hard back then. My grandfather died from simple pneumonia when he was only 40 years old, leaving my then ten year old father to be raised by his maternal grandfather. THX.
Diane...
We can only control what we can control! Thanks so much.
Gita...
And it really is up to us to make it happen! THX
Steve...
No celebrities in my past ... so far! Thanks for jumping in this morning.
Lenn...
Always remember: "Thinking is bad for your mental health!" And yes, I did just make that up!
Richard,
My ancestors couldn't comprehend the complexity of the world that I live in today. I can't comprehend the complexity of the world that future generations will encounter.
Rich
Richard, its nice to see where we all came from but going forward is the key.
We never want to forget out past but I have always asked, at what point do we all start saying were Americans.
How many generations need to be born here before we stop saying I'm Italian or German or which ever.
Just asking lol
Enjoy the day
Great conclusion to your personal history quest - it's a part of your overall sense of self - but it's so important to realize it's one's decisions that determines destiny. I always told my children, "Don't like what your life looks like, make better choices."
Thanks for getting my brain working today. :) Here's to a bright and shiny future.
Sometimes knowing where we come from will open doors to where we are going or need to go.
Richard, I never had really researched my lineage much, I know where I come from and knew my grandparents and even great grandparents on one side and that has been good enough for me although I am confident the research is quite fascinating. I like walking forward so I can see where I'm going.
Richard, it is nice that you are able to find out where your family came from... I too agree, we make our own destiny. Great post.