Genealogy is one of the three most popular hobbies in the United States of America. To link through the past with one's ancestors is very rewarding. An awareness of continuity grows. One discovers fresh meaning of history and a new connection with others. People often report a deeper sense of belonging from knowing one's place in the story of family and humanity.

Genealogy gives us a new appreciation of history. To understand our ancestors, we must understand the times in which they lived. One may know that an ancestor moved from Richmond, Virginia, to Sonora, California, in 1849. Knowledge of the Gold Rush brings the cold information of dates and places to life. History adds motivations, dreams, fears, to flesh out the skeletal data.

Tracing one's roots also brings us in touch with newly-found cousins from around the world. The number of our ancestors doubles each generation. We have two parents, four grandparents, eight great-grandparents and by the time we go back to 27 greats, we have 126,541,792 ancestors. With such a large number of ancestors, it is clear that many, many people are our very distant cousins. It is fun to find relatives with whom you share a common ancestor (or two.) Sometimes distant cousins look very much alike. It is also fun to share your genealogical detective work with that 5th cousin you just found on the Internet.

Our ancestors are a part of us. They are in our genes. They likely have an impact on our family customs, preferences or fears. Thus, learning about them helps us to learn about ourselves. We can then choose to keep and honor their strengths and reject or change their weaknesses. Did your ancestors show a strong tenacity and perseverance in the face of adversity? You may want to remind yourself of that heritage. Did your ancestors keep dark secrets? You may let that remind you to value the light of truth.

There are many benefits to learning your lineage. Be warned that genealogy can be addictive. Becoming a detective of the past can be much more compelling than the best mystery novel. Here are some resources to get you started.



Books:

Suggested Books On The Benefits of Learning About Your Ancestors.



Websites:

• This site gives you access to over 41,000 genealogy sites: www.cyndislist.com
  
  
• Here you can find Rootsweb lists for the surnames as well as the counties and states you are researching. Subscribe to these lists and you will be in communication with a very helpful community of genealogists out there on the web. www.rootsweb.com/~maillist
  
  
• Rootsweb lists have archives you can search to find discussions that have occurred in the past in which you might be interested. searches.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/listsearch.pl
  
  
• This site will take you to boards for surnames, counties, states, countries and other topics. Post your inquiry on a board and then go back every once in awhile to see if someone has responded. genforum.genealogy.com
  
  
• This is the site of the US GenWeb Project: "a group of volunteers working together to provide Internet websites for genealogical research in every county and every state of the United States." www.usgenweb.com
  
  
• This site allows you to search multiple genealogical databases, including that of the Mormon Church. ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/CACulman/MultiGen.htm
  
  
• If you need to find out in what county a city is located, go here. This site also gives you a map to help you locate the city both in its local area and in the United States. mapping.usgs.gov/www/gnis/gnisform.html
  
  
• Here find the geographical distribution of your surname both now and back in the 1800s. www.hamrick.com/names/index.html

Seminars And Services

• Create Your Place in History
  Focus on your role in your family tree by learning about the gifts of your ancestors and by deciding what kind of ancestor you want to be for the next generation.
  
  
• Strength Of My Foremothers
  Learn of the admirable strength and spirit of some women who came before you and how to reach back through generations to connect with these women. You will discover and develop a personal role model to guide you after the workshop.
  
  
• Ancestry-Life-Legacy
  A continuous stream flows from your ancestry, courses through your life, and spills into your legacy. Stephanie helps you commemorate your place in that flow, your place in history, by assisting you in: finding your ancestors on the Internet, writing your classic life story, and designing your own, unique funeral or memorial service.
  
  For information on these and other ancestor seminars, .
  

Allen&Nichols Productions, Inc. Post Office Box 9311 Denver, CO 80209
Stephanie West Allen and Edd Nichols
(303)935-8866


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