Today’s Tip: Recognize and embrace the diversity you are bound to find in your family tree!
Shortly after I began my genealogy work, I had a rather depressing discussion with a person who was working on their family history. This person said to me that they did not bother to document and add to their tree those stories that were ‘not positive about their family’ and that likewise they did not add anyone to their tree who did not represent ‘a real family’.
Needless to say, I was horrified and tried to explain that genealogy was not about finding some artificial image of our family or our ancestors, nor was it supposed to resemble only one version of family! This person was not swayed by my argument, but I came away all the more solid in my belief that there would be no mythology in my tree, nor would I short change anyone due to their diversity of ANY kind!
The richness of our family tapestries is not to accomplished by weaving with one color thread, in one direction, and in only one stitch! No, it is the diversity that adds to who we are, what we are, and how we view the world (and how the world may view us at some point).
So, embrace the diversity as you build your tree and make sure your tapestry is full and true!
Onward To Our Past,
Scott
Loading ...
