I have been working on my family tree for many years, starting with the death of my last grandparent in 1991. I realized then, how little I knew. Unfortunately, I began working on her family tree (my mother's side) instead of taking advantage of my last living ancestor, my father. My father died suddenly in 1998 before I had taken the opportunity to interview him. Left with only stories and myths I had to piece together my family history relying on a collection of unlabeled photographs from all of my grandparents.

It has proven a very exciting and educational quest. Though we all know it has its bad side, Facebook has enabled me to trace living first cousins I never knew existed and many other distant relatives. We have exchanged photos, stories and strung together a coherent narrative with far fewer gaps that I would ever have thought possible.

I would like to stress the value of your living ancestors. Don't let your chance escape you, like I did mine. Also, use your role, to get the children educated and prepare a history to pass down to them.

Many thanks to the community of photographers and genealogists on findagrave.




+ more @ WikiTree

I have been working on my family tree for many years, starting with the death of my last grandparent in 1991. I realized then, how little I knew. Unfortunately, I began working on her family tree (my mother's side) instead of taking advantage of my last living ancestor, my father. My father died suddenly in 1998 before I had taken the opportunity to interview him. Left with only stories and myths I had to piece together my family history relying on a collection of unlabeled photographs from all of my grandparents.

It has proven a very exciting and educational quest. Though we all know it has its bad side, Facebook has enabled me to trace living first cousins I never knew existed and many other distant relatives. We have exchanged photos, stories and strung together a coherent narrative with far fewer gaps that I would ever have thought possible.

I would like to stress the value of your living ancestors. Don't let your chance escape you, like I did mine. Also, use your role, to get the children educated and prepare a history to pass down to them.

Many thanks to the community of photographers and genealogists on findagrave.




+ more @ WikiTree