Family History: Why I Do It

I haven't updated in a long time. I've felt like I didn't have anything to write about, but it's occured to me that you can always dig up something to write about. So no more excuses. Today's focus is family history -- something I spend a lot of time with.

One time I was at a cemetery not far from my home taking pictures of some graves that people had requested pictures of (a service through findagrave.com). This particular time, I had to make a request regarding care of the grave. There was an overgrown bush covering the grave and I submitted a form to get it trimmed. The man helping me with this process asked me why I was taking time to take pictures of graves for someone I didn't even know. I replied that I would want someone to do the same thing for me (and they do and a million thanks to them for their time), but there's more to it than that. It's part of the whole reason why I do family history, and that's what I'm attempting to share with you today.

I do family history because who they were is part of who I am or who I will become. We can learn from the past and the decisions people made or the things people fought for. This is a picture of my Grandpa Rieck with me and my brother and sister back in 1992.

I love this picture. I don't actually remember my granpda, but I've heard a lot of things about him from my mom. He has a special place in my heart, and this picture is proof that we actually did know each other at some point :) Another reason I do family history is because I believe I will be able to see people again after this life. My Grandpa Rieck is one person I look forward to seeing again.

This is my great grandpa Malone in his army uniform. I only have 4 resources to proove he existed: personal memories, photos, headstone, and the Oregon Death Index. I have no idea who his parents were or even if he had any siblings. He ran away from home and lied about his age so he could join the army. It seems he didn't like to talk about his family, and the records from his birthplace were destroyed in a fire. His background is a mystery that has caused me some frustration. I am determined to find his family someday or at least provide a beginning so someone else can find his family. I do family history to uncover mysteries like his and to discover as much as I can the lives of my ancestors.

I also save records/pictures so those who come after me can know me and my family now. I don't know if any of my children will take an interest in family history as I have. However, there may come a point where they want to know the stories that I've collected or gain greater insight into even who I am. I know now that I would do almost anything just to have in my hands a journal from some of my family who in all actuality haven't been gone from this earth for that long.

So why do I take pictues of graves for people I don't know or help others find their family links or scan tons of my moms old pictures I find around the house? I do it because just having a picture or a document or a headstone makes that person more real to you. Because you can create a connection to your past. Because their stories deserved to be told.

I do family history because who they were is a part of who I am or who I will become. Whether directly or indirectly, I'm affected by these people and their lives. Without certain choices made along the line, my life to this point would have played out differently than it has. I love my family and I want to feel a connection to them.

So do your family history. It takes a lot of time and it can definitely be frustrating at times, but I hope you will find the rewards as I have.