This was written for a local Genealogy Group newsletter.
“In all of us there is a hunger, marrow-deep, to know our heritage- to know who we are and where we have come from. Without this enriching knowledge, there is a hollow yearning. No matter what our attainments in life, there is still a vacuum, an emptiness, and the most disquieting loneliness. ”
― Alex Haley
You are here because you need to know.
The very fact that you are reading this newsletter says that you are a particular type of person, with particular interests. Maybe you have already begun your journey of discovery — perhaps it has been years since you started, years of shuffling through the archives and deciphering old handwriting and interviewing relatives who have since passed on. Perhaps you are now beginning to ask questions, to wonder like so many of us have — Who am I? Who are my people? Where do I come from?
The thing about Genealogy is that it’s not just a study of the dead — those faceless names and dates hidden away scribbled in old inks. It’s also a gift to the living, and an heirloom for the future. The work that you do now will live on after you are gone and you will be more than just a name on a page. You will be The Family Historian! The one who pieced it all together. It is a way to achieve that thing which the ancients have always yearned for — a kind of immortality.
Families are ancient stories passed down through time, the family historian’s job is to put all of those stories together into one cohesive whole, to bring to light the joys and the pains of people who would otherwise be lost to the pages of worm-eaten books.
As you continue your discovery, I hope that you will uncover all that the art of genealogy has to offer, and by the end of your searching you will know who you are, and where you come from.
That would be nice to know and made me curious. Maybe some day i will find time for this research, or are there any people that do this for money?
There are definitely professional genealogists all over the place. But it's more interesting to do it yourself if one has the time and can acquire the knowledge to do it. Try looking up your grandparents names and details in familysearch.org, see what happens.
I doubt there will be a lot of data about it from Lithuania, but i will try right now :)
Never know, and either way, they may have immigration records that may give parents names.
Hmm i know that my grand grandfather was in united states back then, so since you have mentioned records... who knows. I will let you know!
I've been researching my family tree for 25 years now. It never ends. I started with about a dozen names and now have 1,752 people going back as far the 1600's. The best thing is when you go beyond just names and dates and start piecing together their stories. It's a fascinating, addictive, hobby.
It's very fascinating and addictive. I've managed the 15th century, because I got lucky to find some high-born ancestors who had genealogies written for them in the 18th century. I've disregarded one of them that purports to go back to the 7th century, I haven't had the time to check behind that genealogy, I don't think I could even if I tried.
My main tree has 2793 people! I blame that on people who have 10 and 15 children each :)
Hey, I just wanted to swing by and tell you, that I really like your content. @kommienezuspadt pointed me towards you and I am very happy about that since I am always looking for pro photographers like him and you to follow and gain from your experience and get some new inspiration.
I just wanted to let you know, since I know I would like it if people said something similar to me. And afterall you are supposed to treat people the way you want to be treated. (I'm not looking for cheesy upvotes, just wanted to express my respect)
Cheers
Thanks for the note — I am a hobbyist, and nowhere near as good, or professional, as @kommienezuspadt! But I take the compliment anyway!
.........promo†ed & up√oted via @cnts :]
for the sake of rank, position and people's sacrifice are sacrificed, until when people will live in peace, they are always oppressed by the political elite