I get excited when I think of all the people throughout the world who are trying to connect with their ancestors. However, I can’t help but think there are those in the world who have an interest in family history, but just haven’t quite taken the time to become involved in it. I think it’s safe to say that anyone who is taking the time to read this has some level of interest in “Family History.” It seems that discovering who our ancestors were and where they came from is something that all of us have an interest in. Preserving our own family history helps us in many ways. It can help us develop a strong sense of who we are by connecting us to our background and origins, thus strengthening the very core of our identity. But sometimes we might need a little extra encouragement to get us to become involved in Family History.
Family History helps us feel connected, it fosters a sense of belonging and attachment, not only with our present family but also with our ancestors and future generations. In a world that can often make us feel isolated and alone, feeling connected to others is a great blessing that is available to all of us. If you are feeling alone or isolated, try spending time with us at the Granite FamilySearch Center, seeking out your ancestors. If distance makes this impractical, use the resources that are available online to trace your family heritage. I am confident if you will do this, you will feel a connection to those who came before you, and you will be strengthened as you strive to increase your knowledge and understanding of those who came before you.
Understanding the challenges and lives of our ancestors can inspire greater love and compassion for the flaws and mistakes we might see in others. No one in this life is without their challenges, and we all make mistakes. Learning of the challenges and difficulties that our ancestors faced, and seeing how they reacted to them, can give us hope that might help heal differences with our living relatives.
And, finally, knowing the stories of our ancestors’ triumphs and failures can help build our resilience, reminding us that we can overcome hardships and find happiness despite our own adversities. It has often been said, “If you want to forget about your own challenges and adversities, lose yourself in the service of others.” Seeking out and discovering those who came before us is a service each of us can do. We can lose ourselves in the service of others through family history.
We don’t have to be experts in family history to receive the blessings of doing family history. We don’t have to know every website that will help us discover those who came before us. We just need to be willing to try, beginning slowly with something that you can understand and then watch as your knowledge and abilities grow. It has been my experience that regardless of where you start or how much you know, you will be drawn to this work and find great joy & happiness as you discover those who came before you – those who made sacrifices that are blessing your life today!
We all have those who have come before us. Let’s find them and show them we do appreciate their lives and recognize that because of them we are here today. Join me in doing whatever you can. It will be different for each one of us, but the blessings of “Identity” and “Connection” and “Resilience” will be the same for all of us.
Let’s put family history to the test and see what we all can do. Start from where you are standing today and then see the impact it has on our lives. I promise you won’t be sorry!
– Doug Nielsen, Director, Granite FamilySearch Center