Saturday, July 26, 2014

Seniors Are the Links to Family Ancestors


Seniors Are the Links to Family Ancestors

Senior Storytellers
We seniors are the storytellers; we are important living links to ancestors for our children and grandchildren, so take time to document this vital legacy for them. Perhaps our younger generations aren't interested in family history now, but I assure you they will be at some point in their lives. How wonderful it can be if you documented their family tree to carry on!
Family Stories are Unique
Families may recall old family lore in conjunction with history and places. It's interesting to read a family story about Great Uncle Charlie or Grandmother Hulda, whether it covers heroic deeds, outlaws, eras, accidents, a skeleton in the closet, or Civil War, Revolutionary War, World War I or II experiences. Last season the NBC Network presented "Who Do You Think You Are?" on TV. It covered genealogical journeys of noted celebrities. Just think, your family history may be just as fascinating and entertaining!
Genealogy Workshop
Last week I attended the Family History Expo Program in Sandy, Utah. There were many new ancestry researchers, and to no one's surprise, some attending have been family genealogists for 40 years and more!
I've been a member of Ancestry.com since 2007. During that time I've traced my husband's ancestors back to Switzerland in the 1600s! I hit a brick wall with my Mother's family; The Cook's originated in Scotland, and the Gustafson's came from Sweden. To date I haven't yet found information on emigration from their countries, nor their immigration into the United States. However, attending the workshop classes gave me new leads and hope. I even found some information in my Mother's family Bible! Another Family History Workshop is scheduled locally in Phoenix next January, and I'll be there!
Join a Genealogy Website or Group
For seniors who are computer-literate, I heartily recommend joining Ancestry.com, a family tree website, with enormous, easy-to-use databases, links to the past, possible matching hints, and other members' family trees. They can start with their own vitals, and then build backward... to their parents, grandparents, etc. The LDS Church, State Archives, and local genealogy libraries also provide helpful on-site information.
Seniors who do not use computers may request help from a son or daughter...even grandchildren...in building a family tree. The key point is to get the facts documented and available to family members (full name, birth date, birth place, immigration date, marriage date, places they lived, death date).
Photos Bring Ancestors to Life!
It was thrilling for me to find a tintype photo of my Grandfather, John Thompson Cook at Age 21! Our family possesses so many meaningful, old photos, and I was able to upload them onto the Ancestry.com profile pages of my family trees where they will stay permanently. Always remember to identify those shown in a photo, along with date and location.
Family Trees can be bound, published, put on discs For those interested in binding a family history book, several options exist. I've linked some of these businesses for your consideration and perusal:
Like the Nike ad says...just do it! Your family will thank you and will appreciate your knowledge and the effort you put into it!
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