Question Answered

I have been asked to explain the genealogies I do for people.  What is in the report?  What “bad” thing might I find?

First of all, there is nothing “bad” to find out.  There are no stories.  I will not find out that your 10th great grandfather was a horse thief—even if that family story is true.

What genealogy shows are the names and dates of when your ancestors were born and died.  Where they were born, where they lived, their parent’s names, their children’s names, perhaps where they are buried and a photo of their grave stone.  

Perhaps a birth/baptism/death certificate and census reports.  What occupation they had.  If they fought in The Revolutionary or Civil War—any military time they may have spent. 

The only time I would find a “story” about them is if they were an early settler in New York or Massachusetts and their names are listed in the “Early North American Settlers” book.  That story would merely tell of when they came to America and where they settled.

No scandals are revealed in a genealogy report, at least not in the ones I have done.  Only facts or demographics, or perhaps ethnicity are found.  In my own genealogy, I found “we” are related to Thornton Wilder and by marriage to Almonzo Wilder; Laura Ingalls Wilder. Pretty cool stuff.

So, don’t ever be afraid to search up through the branches of your family tree.  It can be the most fascinating discovery of your life. 

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The humidity is gone!!!  At least for a few days.  I have all the windows open  and---my feet are freezing!  Down in the 50's tonight.

I love it!