One of the best parts of living in today’s society is technology. Sometimes it can be frustrating but then I stop and think, at least I am able to find records with more ease than the ones who started this journey I am adding to. I am not having to stop lines because I cannot travel overseas to find them. With so much crazy in the world, this is my beacon.
When I was 12 years old I remember sitting at my grandma's kitchen table
When I was 12 years old I remember sitting at my grandma's kitchen table (it was the place to be) and listening to the stories of a couple older relatives whom I had never met, and listening to their stories of trying to find cemeteries to get information off headstones. Sitting there looking at these poor ladies who had to be in their 70’s talking about crossing pastures, climbing over some fences, and under others, people were hesitant to speak to them about the family history because they didn’t know them. Being a kid and not really understanding much about family history, I thought, why would anyone go through all that to find out about people they never knew. Oh, I wish now how I would have understood what they were doing.
Fast forward 11 years, my grandmother passed away, I just gave birth to my twins who were my first children born to me and all I could think about was, is my family going to fall apart because the matriarch isn’t here anymore. I decided I was going to need to start my own family's history because all the stories I never worried about before were now buried. However, the internet was not a big thing, so I was hindered in going to libraries to find information because small children do not cry quietly. I also couldn’t just load up and drive to other locations.
all I could think about was, is my family going to fall apart because the matriarch isn’t here anymore
Thank goodness for the internet. Thank goodness libraries, county courthouses, genealogical societies, etc…. were willing to start putting records online. Grateful for other countries that have added their information to the internet. If there is one good thing with being quarantined it is that so many genealogy sites are making records available for free for a time. Take some time and look at My Heritage and others to see what kind of records they have that you can access if you do not have a membership.
Now Is the Time
Right now is the time to be doing your family history. Get out those old family records and find what you are missing, and then utilize all these great resources that are free right now.
If you need help, let us know.
