A - Meet the Ancestors

 

I might come across as peculiar, but there are times I often find myself spending more time with the deceased than the living. The time I've invested in researching and getting to know them has been incredibly intriguing, surpassing any book or movie I've ever encountered. In my search for family history, I feel like a detective uncovering their family dynamics and what drove them.

Thirty-four first cousins all live in other states, and I'm a Californian. I always felt different from them. We didn't grow up together like in some families, so we never created a relationship. We have no history. As we've all gotten older, it is clear they still are not interested in knowing me, and for years, that hurt me. I only have one cousin who checks in with me once a year. By researching my family tree on my own, I can feel part of my family - just by getting to know my ancestors.

GENEALOGY 101

When you start exploring your family tree, you begin with yourself and your immediate birth family, including your mom, dad, siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents. These are people you knew. However, as you trace your ancestry further back, you will encounter individuals who are unfamiliar to you. This is where the real story unfolds. If you are a history enthusiast, researching your family history can become an exciting journey of discovery, allowing you to gain a deeper understanding of your ancestors' experiences. It’s solving a puzzle at the highest level, and the benefit is that you learn about your ancestors.

Thinking about the bigger picture that encompasses not just me, but also my family, blows my mind. Our ancestors have overcome unimaginable challenges throughout history, and the fact that we exist today is a testament to their resilience. I cannot think of a better reason to want to know more about them. To me, their lives were significant.

After the great flood of 1913 in the Ohio Valley, around 300 people lost their lives in the Dayton and Miami Valley area.

Served in the Civil War as a Private in Company H, 7th Tennessee Infantry Regiment, Under Captain William Robbins for the Union. He served with his brothers, Soloman and William and all three brothers survived. 

My ancestors have survived religious persecution, an almost complete annihilation by a rival Scottish clan on my dad's side, and a treacherous journey across the Atlantic where more than half of them died at sea. They also managed to survive through various plagues and pandemics such as smallpox and polio, as well as numerous wars. They experienced and endured economic depressions, floods, and famine, and had the opportunity to witness the birth of our country.

Lunchtime at the Coal Mines

After discovering the resilience of my ancestors during key historical moments, I became enamored and eager to learn more about their experiences.

You must be prepared for whatever you may find - even the most heart-wrenching family tragedies that exist in every branch of my family tree.

If you have photos, you can look into their eyes and see yourself.

They fell in love, got married, and started families. Some branches of the family were impoverished, while others were not.

And some of them died young - whether from illnesses, diseases, accidents, or even suicides. While some may believe that their secrets should remain buried, I believe that they all have stories to tell, even now. In a world where revisionist history is often in play, the truth still holds its value, no matter how old it may be. Old newspapers, journals, and letters provide a glimpse into their lives and can reveal how they lived. their choices I don't judge them for the choices they made or the lies they felt they had to tell and keep. Instead, I think it's important to honor their memories and acknowledge their experiences, both good and bad.