I've decided to take the April plunge and join others for the A-Z April challenge. The theme...you guessed it.
Genealogy or The Stories They Didn't Want Us To Know
For close to 20 years, I have been knee-deep in digging out the truth of my family tree. If I had left things as they were, I would have never found my mother's biological father and I would have never found a major branch to my family tree.
For some, they may think, why bother? I can respect that - sometimes I feel, the same way. Usually after months of a brick wall presenting itself to me; I get frustrated and angry that I am unable to break through. It's when I put it away, for a few months - even a year to come back and doors have been opened and finally, I can dot the i's and cross the t's, on a particular stubborn family branch.
For me, it's a hobby. Pure and simple. I am not LDS. I grew up looking at old photos of long-past ancestors with the stories. I believed every single one of them. These stories had been passed down for a few generations. In doing so, some things were left out; as if they were the keeper of the family secrets and those secrets would die with them. Families even to this day are very secretive about their "stories."
Oh but if only they knew what we all know now - how mortified they would be that we know of their crimes, infidelities, and their lies. I don't hold it against them. They were human and made their share of mistakes. They lived during a time when it wasn't customary to share outside the family. Some made up stories to explain illegitimacy and mental disease, alcoholism, and anything that was out of the norm of that time and place.
My objective with these upcoming posts is to set within everyone a fire - to find out what makes your family tick. Who were these people? To do more than just add leaves to your family tree and why you shouldn't do that. I'll share with you some family stories I found out - through the heavy lifting and frustrating research that once you open those doors and solve is one of the best feelings of accomplishments there is.
I love the sound of it! Can't wait to read you in April :-)
ReplyDeletehttps://theoldshelter.com/the-lost-generation-introduction/
I left a message on your blog. Forgot to say it was me over here.
DeleteStopping in to take a look at your theme and wish you a happy March and a wonderful April. Can't wait to read more during April! ♥
ReplyDeleteThank You. I'm busy writing, researching and getting the posts scheduled.
DeleteLook forward to following on during the month. I find family history endlessly fasinating - who needs fiction when we have these real life stories to investigate.
ReplyDeletehttps://anneyoungau.wordpress.com/2024/03/10/a-to-z-blogging-about-whitmore-england/
So true Anne
DeleteI look forward to this and love the stories one uncovers
ReplyDeleteI do too. And the "lies" are entertaining as well.
DeleteSounds good. I'm a family historian and also expanded to include friends and neighbors of my relatives. I'll be back.
ReplyDeletehttps://findingeliza.com/archives/42540
I'll head over to your place to say Hi
DeleteI've helped a few with a brick wall. Two things that usually created that brick wall. The main one is tragedy. People just don't like to pass down their suffering to their children. But it is passed down indirectly, eh.
ReplyDeleteI had a 2nd great grandfather who testified my second great grandmother was just a floozy to get a divorce. Cut to the chase, DNA shows the last three of their children were his. The last one was my great grandmother. This will crack you up. There is an individual who is descended from this great grandfather's second wife. They are big on making a record that my greatgrandmother was a bastard. But the DNA does not lie. None of this woman's children are related to my second greatgrandfather.
A piece of me would like to set this descendent straight. The saner part of me knows it is not important. Plus, he or she may be a real wacko.
Oh I hear you. As long as you know the truth.
DeleteSounds like you're having fun. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteRonel visiting for Theme Reveal for A to Z Blogging Challenge 2024
Thank You. I am having fun.
DeleteI wouldn't have the patience to do this but I think it must be very rewarding when you do find something interesting
ReplyDeleteDebbie
It's not for everyone - it's the ultimate puzzle or real life mystery drama - both of which I enjoy.
DeleteInteresting theme. Wishing you good luck with it!
ReplyDeletehttps://nydamprintsblackandwhite.blogspot.com/2024/03/a-to-z-2024-theme-revelation.html
Thanks for dropping by.
DeleteGreat theme choice for the A to Z challenge! Looking forward to the rest of your alphabet journey!
ReplyDeleteMy topic (here: https://gritandgrace2015.blogspot.com/2024/03/atozchallenge-theme-announcement.html ) may not have as much appeal for everyone, but I’m going to give it a try 🙂
Welcome to A to Z 2024 Blogging.
ReplyDeleteMy theme for this year A to Z Blogging is: Excellent Industry 4.0 Implemented Companies.
A to Z 2024 Blogging - Theme - McKinsey - WEF Lighthouse Smart Manufacturing Industry 4.0 Plants - Factories - Industrial Engineering 4.0
Definitely intrigued by this theme. My family history research never fails to turn up the unexpected -- stories that never got passed down, but sometimes made it into the newspapers! Looking forward to your A to Z posts. See you in April!
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful that you've been able to unearth so much of your family's history. I look forward to following along and wish you a happy April!
ReplyDeleteFantastic theme you've chosen for the A to Z challenge! Can't wait to see what you have in store for the next letters of the alphabet.
ReplyDeletehttps://whiskeyandwhispers.blogspot.com/2024/03/unveiling-my-atozchallenge-theme-genre.html
Fantastic theme reveal! I can't wait to explore your posts during the A to Z challenge in April. Wishing you all the best as you embark on this creative journey. Here’s a link to mine - https://hellfireandchaos.blogspot.com/2024/03/atozchallenge-theme-announcement.html
ReplyDeleteExciting theme reveal! I'm looking forward to following your A-to-Z journey throughout April. Best of luck with the challenge. I’ve restarted my blog and deleted all the old content since I’ve been away for about 10 years and am coming back with the A-to-Z Challenge, hopefully it’ll give me some blog theme motivation and some dedicated readers. My theme is here: https://illusionsofchaos.blogspot.com/2024/03/hello-again-atozchallenge-theme-reveal.html
ReplyDeleteI love your theme as I'm also a family history addict. I have a blog telling my family stories, but have chosed this year to participate in the AtoZ Challenge with my One Place Study Blog. Looking forward to your stories.
ReplyDeletehttps://haverfordwesthistory.com/theme-reveal-april-atoz-challenge-2024-atozchallenge/
Excellent theme! I am enjoying the stories.
ReplyDelete