In our last article, “Family Stories,” I wrote about ways in which you can engage with family members to gain greater wisdom from the stories we all can share. As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches, it might be fun to explore further your rich family history and learn of your ancestors. Who knows what fascinating stories your family has to be unearthed!
A Family’s History: What’s Hidden in the Past?
In recent years, genealogy has become a popular hobby and gaining in public interest. One of the first shows to popularize learning about your family history was “Who Do You Think You Are?” Since the broadcasting of that television show, genealogy shows have become popular, enticing us to learn more about our family histories.
As a child, I was more than familiar with the art of tracing our ancestors lives. My Mom began the pursuit, requiring the family to travel from Pittsburgh to Washington DC, not for the historical offerings but instead to visit the National Archives and research our family’s past. Mom would search through realms of microfilms for information on births, deaths, marriages and more. (This was the way it had to be done before the internet!)
It didn’t take long until my Dad became interested in his past too. He started joining my Mom at the Archives and, to her chagrin, found a wealth of information there on his family roots.
Here’s where our story becomes even more intriguing. At the same time, my oldest sister, Kathi, was living with her husband, Chris, in New Jersey. They had purchased land around Boston, Massachusetts, and were heading there to begin their life together.
My father found that his family could be traced back to Salem, Massachusetts and actually had land in that vicinity. One weekend he visited with my sister in Massachusetts and asked to go to the local library. Soon after, he realized that his family had previously owned the land that my sister and her husband had just bought! Crazy, right? What are the chances?
My Dad’s finding intrigued Kathi who now joined in his exploration of our roots in Massachusetts. She and our family were to discover that one of our ancestors and her daughter were accused of witchcraft during the Salem Witch Trials and spent time in jail. Both the mother and her daughter were ultimately released from jail and subsequently pardoned by the Governor of Massachusetts. Yet, the story so fascinated my sister that she delved into the history. Her in-depth research of our family and the Salem Witch Trials led to her writing a children’s book, The Sacrifice.
You never know what your family’s history might turn up. It might also result in simply understanding how they lived. On my mother’s side, the stories were less sensational. We did learn that our family were mainly steelworkers and tailors living in Pittsburgh. We learned how they immigrated to Pennsylvania from England and quickly became part of the fabric of all that the Steel City had to offer.
Thanksgiving Holiday Challenge!
This Thanksgiving Holiday take some time to learn more about your family – in whatever way “family” is defined for you. Be curious to learn where your family originated, why it is thought that they immigrated here to the United States and what, if any, official records might be kept.
You might find that one person in your family is known to be the “family historian.” They might have records of birth dates, death dates, marriage certificates and other personal information helping to weave your family’s history together. In some cases, you may find old newspaper articles about your family in the local papers. Our family found some interesting stories of jilted lovers and pranks that happened under our family name. (Again, from my Dad’s side of the family.)
WIth the internet now, it is easier to track family information. It is always more helpful, though, to hear first hand the stories. With this information, the pieces fall into place as you find information to validate the stories, timelines and movements of your family.
What Did You Learn?
This Thursday, take the Thanksgiving Challenge by learning more about your family’s origins. Let us know what you discover. When did your family arrive here in the United States? What stories did you learn that you hadn’t known before? What else was interesting?
And, have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday! Happy Thanksgiving!