As a hobby family historian and genetic genealogist, I sometimes give myself a hard time for not devoting all of my copious free time to the depths of family history research. You know, accomplishing more and more towards that ever-elusive unicorn of a “finished tree” and holding in my hands every document available ever.
Those garbled moments don’t tend to last longer than a heartbeat or two, but they cycle back from time to time, especially during the warm season when most of my time is spent outside on the farm. Regardless, those little twinges of negative self-talk are a solid reminder that everything is family history so I thought I’d document that today 🙂
Even if I’m not nose deep in Civil War pension files or trying to find someone on the 1890 Census (sigh), more often than not, I’m contributing to our family history in some way. Whether it be by sharing letters written 70 years ago with my sister, or reminding my little brother that his (non-relational but ever-important) anniversary is the same as our parents’ relationship anniversary.
Maybe I’m dropping pebbles into the pond and watching the ripples expand as a friend and I discuss my DNA surprise and they contemplate who their never discovered maternal great-grandfather might be and wonder if DNA might help find that branch for them.
Or maybe it’s in the writing of a short piece for an upcoming anthology about a queer 2x great aunt who I hope will inspire so many from beyond the grave.
It all counts!
Then, I remember the 26 posts I published in April for the 2025 A to Z Challenge and simply roll my eyes at my own self because it truly doesn’t matter how formal the family history work is, it is all connected and it is happening all around us all the time.
Also, time is weird and wild and maybe you can’t devote every day (or week or month) to building out your tree and your files or to labelling photos and filling out family group sheets, but every bit you find and add to the archives counts…
Even that little snippet from Newspapers.com that you can’t prove yet, but might someday, if you just keep looking 😉
To this end, I’m taking my little reminder to myself with a side of grace and a renewed sense of inspiration. Stay tuned, I have an idea simmering 😉
Do tell, what family history tidbits (no matter how small) have uncovered recently or spoken to others about that deserve applause? Who’s going to give you your well-deserved flowers if not you?
Onward,
Melissa
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