| Question Home |
Position:Home>Genealogy> Is it important to know things about your ancestors and your family tree?Question: Is it important to know things about your ancestors and your family tree!? Some people spend a lot of time doing genealogy research, trying to figure out where their ancestors lived, what they did, and why - why is this kind of research important!? (Or is it important!?) Is it just curiosity!? Or are they hoping to learn something about themselves; if so, what!? Www@QuestionHome@Com
Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: I started doing my Family History some 30 years ago, before there were web sites to consult!. It all came from finding a photograph I'd never seen, after my mother (the originator of the term de-clutter!) had died!. I did learn an awful lot about myself, I learned a great deal about the lives of ordinary people around my City of birth and discovered their roots!. I would like to see it introduced to all schools as part of history and geography!. A far more interesting way to learn about the employment of 9-year old children employed doing an 8-hour shift as coal-hauliers in the coal mines, if they were actually your own family, than reading dry old books about someone with no connection to you!. Transportation!? I have a Gt!. grandfather who was a canal boatman and his father a barge captain; I found out a great deal about the lives of boatmen and the coming of steam!. Criminals!? I have a 3x Gt!. uncle transported in 1829 for stealing ￡200 and I have tracked him across Australia, while learning about the due processes of law back then!. Another Gt!. grandfather was a "Fly Proprietor" - what was that, what did they do!? A great uncle was a Police Inspector and I have a copy of his employment record - makes interesting reading!. Death Certificates + cause of death!. Lads of 23 and 25 dying of "exhaustion", a 2 x Gt!. grandmother who died of "natural decay" in a workhouse, others dying of "disease of the lungs" (T!.B!.!?), a Gt!. grandfather who died of D!.T!.'s when he was only 39!. I have learned a lot and sometimes feel very humbled about the harsh lives of these people without whom I would not be here!.Www@QuestionHome@Com I would say the answer to your question is--all of the above, including the history of the times, living conditions, customs and many other things as well!. In my 30 years of family research, I've learned that, from old military records from the GSA, Wash!. D!.C!., my great-grandfather lied about his age, joined the Union Army and served in the Civil War at the age of 14!.His last pay was docked at discharge for losing his bridle and spurs and for wasting cartridges I learned that my 3rd great-grandfathr received a land grand near Vincennes, IN for his service in the War of 1812!. In old court and newspaper records, I learned that another g-g-grandfather was a real estate speculator in Chicago and was murdered in a bar following a card game!. In my g-g-grandmother's bible, I learned the dates and causes of death of family members, including notes that her husband died of camp dysentery contacted during the Civil War!. The computer and the data bases have opened our history to some amazing information!. shirle06, keeper of memoriesWww@QuestionHome@Com yes of course!.!.it is just like asking the importance of history itself!. genealogies are important because they can let u understand better the past, review what your ancestors have done and contributed to your well-being so that solutions for the present problems can be unearthed!. and of course!.!.knowing about your ancestors, especially your relatives, establishes the wholeness of your very personality!. you can answer some questions about your past!.!.Www@QuestionHome@Com The only time it is important is if you find a genetic flaw, like Huntington's or hemophilia!. The rest of the time it's a hobby, like fly-fishing or cross-word puzzles!. People don't spend 8 hours driving to the mountains and casting for brown trout because they are hungry; they do it for the fun of it!. Www@QuestionHome@Com It is important as any hobby!. It's a fascinating subject if that's where your interests lie!. It is history, which is always important to know and understand in the general sense as it informs us of ourselves!. And it can be a great source of gossip and scandal that is fun to discuss but unlikely to hurt the living!. Www@QuestionHome@Com I don't know if it's IMPORTANT really, but it is fascinating!. I have a friend who works on his family tree, and has travelled around the world to meet people he's related too!. And in cases of things like medical history, it can be relevant!. Www@QuestionHome@Com sometimes Www@QuestionHome@Com |