The Genealogy & Family History Social Network

Genealogy is more than just craft.

Genealogists are those who do expert family research and cite all of their sources. They use all of the modern day state-of-the-art technology tools to create their reports.

The most common question asked to genealogists, or even family historians, is 'how far back have you gone?'
I cringe at this. I'm not comfortable with this badge of honor because it doesn't really mean anything.
Yet, this registers either amazement or disdain on the face of the one asking the question.

Now, I have to react to that visual cue and I'm immediately on the defensive.
Will my answer impress? Will I be perceived as an expert or a novice because I can't trace my family all the way back to Jesus?

Genealogy, for me, is about life; the relationships of human beings. It is about seeing life as it is without all the filters of scholarship and technology.

I don't propose to re-define the craft of genealogy. I just want to evangelize the importance of the story of families. Explore the stories beyond the data of place and time that they contain.

We just have to not let our thinking about our Ancestors be over-ruled by inferences of:

Training
Education
Conditioning
Assumptions
Preferences
Prejudices
Genetics And Upbringing

We need to step out of their way and let their stories come through - as unfiltered as possible.
That's how we'll arrive at the truth of what we are all about.

0 members like this

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Alane Roundtree on August 6, 2009 at 10:21pm

George,

Many years ago I was approached by a family member during a reunion gathering who very earnestly asked me the following question:

“I’ve heard you state on more than one occasion that you are researching the family histories and genealogies of our enslaved ancestors, but isn’t family history and genealogy really the same thing?”

I explained that while many folks may consider it to be the same thing – and use the terms interchangeably – in my opinion, there are very meaningful differences.

I wish I’d had your eloquent post with me at that time George. I think it would have promoted a much more convincing and thought-provoking discussion than the one that ensued.

I think of genealogy as the science of proving an ancestor lived in a certain time and place while family history entails documenting the story of that life as fully as possible.

All family historians are genealogists – not all genealogists are family historians. That is why I am mindful to emphasis family history before genealogy when I describe what my research goals are all about. To some it may be redundant terminology but to me it’s as real as the difference between collecting names and dates and immersing ourselves in the knowledge of understanding to the best of our abilities the time, the place, and the circumstances in which the ancestors lived their lives. That knowledge opens doors and gives us insights. Without that understanding, “How far back have you gone?” becomes a rather meaningless question with an even less meaningful answer.

Most of us will never find or inherit a leather bound volume filled with anecdotes of our ancestor’s life accomplishments, failures, hopes or dreams – but we must always remember they had them – and then continue to go about the work of reclaiming them one story at a time. The hardest part of the journey may very well be conditioning ourselves to “step out of their way” so the truth can shine through. That’s some pretty profound advice George, and well-worth taking.

Peace,
Alane

Permalink Reply by Janet Smith on August 7, 2009 at 8:41am

George, This is absolutely beautiful...very well said from your heart. For me, this journey is a walk on hallowed ground and I make sure that I treat it as such. Thank you for the inspiration. God Bless You!

Genealogy is more than just craft.

Replies to This Discussion

Members