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| My beloved great granddad, Papa Dan |
I dabble in family history research and study. I enjoy learning about my roots. I think it's important to know where you come from and I believe that knowledge helps you to direct your life forward in positive ways too.
As you look back you learn a lot about family ties, talents, strengths, trends, struggles and world events. When you look forward you can use that knowledge to avoid the family struggles if possible and embrace the family strengths.
In my family, there are a few health concerns that occur in every generation--health concerns we can work to avoid, and there are a lot of strengths including commitment to family, resourcefulness, happy gregarious personalities, love of learning and a will to make better.
I find that there's often a longing in me for the landscapes of my ancestors--the green fields, mountains, lakes and oceans of their homelands. I also prefer colder weather to warmer weather, and most of my ancestors came from cold weather climates. Looking back, my ancestors also had a sense of adventure and wanderlust--they traveled many places seemingly enjoying their adventures. Many were involved in politics, government and social causes too which are similar to my professional interests as well.
As I research my family history, I want to make a number of books that my children can read to their loved ones and perhaps children one day. Books that will give my descendants a sense of time and place too that they can use to inform their future lives and direction.
Learning about our family history builds empathy, understanding and direction. Stories good and bad inform who we are and what we do with our own lifes. This is valuable.