Genealogy is not for the faint of heart or, as we like to say, the lily-livered soul. Researching one’s own family can reveal less-than-savory facts about your kith and kin.
Genealogy also isn’t for the easily frustrated. It can take years to unearth the information you seek. Occasionally, you seek and seek only to find the information simply does not exist.
And although you may be neither a coward nor a Tasmanian devil, priorities may lay the foundation for a brick wall. The information you seek may be available, but your financial situation, proximity to the information or constraints on your time can make it impossible for you to move backward.
Sometimes, just sometimes, the research has to take a back seat. “What! What! What?!” you ask in full-blown consternation.
Just hear (or read!) me out for a minute!
I’m am certainly NOT suggesting my genealogical research take a back seat to house cleaning, laundry, television, or twitter--don't get crazy, here.
But I AM suggesting that I’ll NOT take out a second mortgage on our house to finance my research habit.
I also AM suggesting that I’ll NOT move to Salt Lake City (dudes, you got no ocean) to spend the rest of my life pursuing my research habit.
Most importantly, I am flat-out saying that when I “go home” to visit and, on the five hour drive, I contemplate the beckoning of the courthouse, I simply have to say “No.”
I’d rather spend every minute hanging out with my 80-year-old mother listening to her talk of days gone by, taking notes about the life she remembers.
The wills and slave records at the courthouse in Union will be there. Priorities.
Genealogy also isn’t for the easily frustrated. It can take years to unearth the information you seek. Occasionally, you seek and seek only to find the information simply does not exist.
And although you may be neither a coward nor a Tasmanian devil, priorities may lay the foundation for a brick wall. The information you seek may be available, but your financial situation, proximity to the information or constraints on your time can make it impossible for you to move backward.
Sometimes, just sometimes, the research has to take a back seat. “What! What! What?!” you ask in full-blown consternation.
Just hear (or read!) me out for a minute!
I’m am certainly NOT suggesting my genealogical research take a back seat to house cleaning, laundry, television, or twitter--don't get crazy, here.
But I AM suggesting that I’ll NOT take out a second mortgage on our house to finance my research habit.
I also AM suggesting that I’ll NOT move to Salt Lake City (dudes, you got no ocean) to spend the rest of my life pursuing my research habit.
Most importantly, I am flat-out saying that when I “go home” to visit and, on the five hour drive, I contemplate the beckoning of the courthouse, I simply have to say “No.”
I’d rather spend every minute hanging out with my 80-year-old mother listening to her talk of days gone by, taking notes about the life she remembers.
The wills and slave records at the courthouse in Union will be there. Priorities.