Understanding the Foundations of Your Life

"One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh," Ecclesiastes. I, 2, XII, 8

The past is a mysterious place consisting of unanswered questions about people we have never met, places we have never been and feelings we have never felt. Exploring the past will open up your heart to the discovery of who you are and where you came from.

Bring your ancestors back into the present, get acquainted with them and learn what they have to teach you from their own lifetime of experiences. That huge box of faded photographs will no longer contain the faces of strangers, but the intimate thoughts and adventures of loved ones. The family you never knew will welcome you with open arms, as you discover the wealth of knowledge they can give you.

Researching one's genealogy is an enlightening process. It is a way to keep the family members who are no longer with us, alive in our hearts and minds. Loneliness will disappear as family and friend are rediscovered.

If you are grieving the loss of a loved one, reconnecting with those who came before you can ease the pain. You will come to realize that they are not gone forever, but remain alive in all the memories left behind. They are not just a name on a grave stone, but a vital part of your life. Unlock the door to those memories, and give their lives new meaning for you and your children.

Future generations will benefit from the knowledge of their roots, keeping them in touch with the family they never knew. Traditions, once lost, will be revived by researching the past.

A wealth of information is available to get started researching your family history. Amazing facts about your ancestors will come to light. A story as interesting as a best selling novel will widen your eyes in wonder at the experiences, and trials your own ancestors overcame. It will give you a spark of courage just understanding your family's roots.

Researching your family history does not have to be an expensive process. A lot of the investigating can be done from free sources available to you.

A great place to start is the family Bible. If you don't have one, maybe one of your relatives does. Give them a call. Sometimes, the family Bible has family births and deaths written by many past generations. It is also an heirloom that carries you back to a time. It is an awesome experience just holding the Bible in your hands that your great-grandmother held in hers.

Also, ask family members if they have a diary, letters, or other types of correspondence that may be stored away in an attic somewhere. These are ideal, personal items that bring you closer to your ancestors as real people with the same types of emotions and problems you are experiencing today

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Another reference is old newspapers. Go to the local library where most of your ancestors lived and check the newspaper archives. You may be surprised at what you find. It could be a story about a member of your family. Maybe there was a local politician, policeman, or firefighter who might be mentioned. It could be something as simple as your great grandmother winning a recipe contest or bazaar raffle. Although it may be sad, check the obituaries from the time. They often have a lot of information about the life of the deceased. In any case, it will make you familiar with the times they lived in and what was happening in their world.

Visiting the Church your relatives attended can also be helpful. Ask to see birth certificates, Sunday school records, weddings and deaths. These have specific dates of major events that can help organize your search.

Research local and state government records for information on titles and deeds from your ancestor's land holdings. You may even be able to find the house they lived in.

As you begin the journey to understanding your past, the foundation of your life will strengthen and you will gain a deeper meaning into your own life. You will acquire new respect, admiration and gratitude for the loving family that came before you. Proudly bring them back to where they should be; in your heart and the hearts of future generations.