FROM BUILDING TO BEQUEATHING: My Involvement in Genealogy & How You Can Participate

FROM BUILDING TO BEQUEATHING:

My Involvement in Genealogy & How You Can Participate.

OCTOBER 29, 2020 

Today is the 81st anniversary of my birth, and I am writing this to and for my children, my grandchildren and their children; and for my beloved cousins and their prodigy and their nephews, nieces, and cousins.  In short, I’m writing it for my FAMILY.  I love you one and all.  I love those I know well, and those I will never know, or meet on this side of Jordan.  

    And on this day I want to exchange Birthday Gifts.  Your birthday gift to me will be for you to read this (I am a teacher, and some of it will be boring, but you can skip around); my gift to you is what I know about our family — the people and their stories — and how I can share these.  I have a wonderful past; you have incredible futures; together we can unite the two.

“God put me here to accomplish certain things; 

Im so far behind, I can’t die”

For many years I believed that old joke.  I had too much left to do to bother dying.  Well, 2020 has shown me that I might be wrong.  I don’t have infinite time (however long or short), it is finite, and I must use it to get a few things finished.  Most important is to pass on what I have spent decades learning.  

    The following is about HOW I got into this genealogy stuff; and HOW YOU would prefer to receive my gift.  It is my desire to pass some portion of the information I have gathered on our “common ancestors” to each of you.  

    There are many ways I can give you this information, and I want you to choose the information and the format you prefer.  I’ve been thinking about this for a while, but I am counting on you to give me new ideas, and inspiration as we work together.  I know I must give you something you want, or it will be wasted, so I’m giving it my best, and hoping you will let me know what works for you.  Please note, if you do not read at least part of this Blog, you are automatically cut out of my will.

A Family of Story Tellers

I grew up in a family of story-tellers — my uncles, aunts, cousins — all told stories (God Bless ‘Um).  We sat in front of the stove or fireplace in the winter, or on the swing or the front porch steps in the summer, and listened and absorbed those stories.  Then I married, and my husband’s family told stories. In the long summer days, and cold winter evenings, everyone competed at telling the funniest, most outlandish, scariest stories, and we laughed, and the children’s eyes grew big.  Those were wonderful stories about amazing times; about people I never knew, but whose lives contributed to, and created, my own.  It is sad that families today seldom gather to share stories because scientists tell us that Family stories play a critical role in self-perception, and the development of personal values and goals (I wrote the Blog in the link above on this topic) .

The Genealogy Bug — Within each of my families, there was a genealogist or family historian, who collected the “facts” on which all those stories were based.  In my Mother’s family, it was my Aunt Elizabeth McKnight Heard.  About 1952 or ’53, I found a Heard Family Genealogy that Aunt Elizabeth had created, mimeographed, and distributed to each of the 12 families.  I was enthralled.  

    This Heard Family Tree started with my Grandfather and went back 5 generations to the early 18th Century when the first Heards arrived in North America.  The Family came from the village of Anglish (or Eglish) on the banks of the Black Water River, in Dungannon in County Tyrone in Northern Ireland about 1720.  

    For each Generation, Aunt Elizabeth had a Family Page that showed all the children and who they married and when and where they were born and when and where they died.  Aunt Elizabeth also carefully documented the sources of the information contained in that record.  My Mother let me keep that genealogy (as long as I took care of it).  Someday, one of you will find the elusive Irish records of John Heard and his wife (believed to be Margaret O’Neil) and their sons.

  

 That mimeographed document was a better start than I knew then.  Many years later, when I made my first visit to a genuine “Genealogy Library,” the first book I pulled from the shelves was edited by Harold Heard, and within it was a Chapter written by Elizabeth McKnight Heard.  It was my mimeographed genealogy published in a “real” book, and there was my name.  If you want to read more about the Resources for Heard Family Research, I wrote a blog on that subject.

    In my Jackson Family, the family historian/genealogist was my Aunt Cecil Jackson Murphy.  Aunt Cecil had a much harder job than Aunt Elizabeth.  There were no published genealogies, or professional genealogists to help find the way; a critical courthouse had burned; and only one single name — Stephen Pugh Jackson — linked us to our Jackson Ancestors.  But that didn’t stop Aunt Cecil.  She used every tool available in the mid to late 20th century to trace our family.  While she never broke through to discover our Jackson line, she traced other ancestors, including the Dean Family and the Milam Family. 

  

 Cecile achieved her primary goals of proving our descent from multiple Revolutionary War Patriots, and becoming a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) and the National Society of Colonial Dames of the 17th Century.  In the course of her work, she collected boxes of letters, and copies of records, and some wonderful photographs.  

(For those of you who never knew my Cecil, it may help to know that she lived in Natchitoches -- setting for Steel Magnolias -- and that her home was down the street from Truvy Jones' (Dolly Parton) beauty shop, where she had her hair done weekly.  She is purportedly Robert Harling's model for Caralee Belcher (Olivia Ducacus), but some feel she may have also contributed to Weezer (Shirley MacLaine).)

        As Aunt Cecil approached the age I have now reached, she suffered from the same quandary — what do I do with all this “stuff” — all this “knowledge.”  Well, Aunt Cecil’s solution was straight-forward — Frances Ruth.  Give it to her.  During her life, Aunt Cecile got me involved in her research, and before her death, she gave me some of the materials she had collected, and the photograph of her great grandmother — Sarah Katherine Hamous Adams. I never knew what happened to the remainder of her materials, but their loss was a good lesson for me.  I learned that what is precious to one person is often junk to others.  

Now I am burdened (not only with passing along my work) but with passing along the work others have passed to me.  I really want to share more about the family members who have passed their work to me and inspired my interest in genealogy.  I want to recognize my Adams cousins Sara Glenn Adams Wren and Doris Lela Adams Brogan, who discovered that our Hamous Family was actually the Polhemus Family;  four generations of my Jones Cousins (Sam Houston, Robert, and William Jones), who are still discovering the truth about our mysterious Jones forebears (now using DNA); Charles’ Cousins, Edna and Sue Oates and Norman “Sonny” Mayfield, who researched the Nunley Family; and Gregg Davies, who continues to collaborate with me on our Cox Family.  Then there are the kin I never met in persons but who gave us so much. They include Gloria Schouw Reck, who taught me about our Lindsey Ancestors; Joyce Perkerson Poole, who literally wrote the book on the Heards; and Merrill Hill Mosher, who did  the same for the Freeman Family. 

  

 Most recently, I have been buried in trying to understand what DNA can tell us about our Family, and how best to use this new tool.  Y-DNA allowed us to break through Aunt Cecil’s brick wall to find our Jackson Ancestors.  Elated by this  accomplishment, I wrote a Blog for family members wanting to know more about Using DNA for Genealogy Research. If any of you are interested in pursuing DNA genealogy, I am eager to collaborate.

PASSING IT ON — Now, I am sure that among my many relatives, there may be one or more who will someday be bitten by the “genealogy bug.”  But I am not sure how to find the “lucky” one, nor can I wait for the “bug” to bite.  Therefore I am determined to share information far and wide, so that “when” one of you is interested, you will be able to find your start in what I have left.  

    If you are absolutely certain you will never have an interest in traditional genealogy, you may want to jump to the end, to read the section on “Special Projects.”  This last section may be the most valuable portion of the Blog, and I encourage you to read it even if you skip the rest.

    As general background, and to give you more perspective, I have listed below some links to information on WHY GENEALOGY?

https://www.familysearch.org/blog/en/family-history-2/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genealogy

http://www.genealogyintime.com/articles/why-genealogy-is-important.html

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/beastly-behavior/201801/the-meaning-and-meaninglessness-genealogy

https://news.legacyfamilytree.com/legacy_news/2016/03/why-do-we-do-genealogy.html

HOW MUCH DO YOU WANT?

THE BARE-BONES TREE (Essential Genealogy — Who, Where, When) — 

   The basic Family Tree includes Who, Where, When for all of the critical Events and Relationships in a person’s life.  That is, Name, Birth (date and place), Marriage(s), Spouse(s) (names with dates and places), Children (names, with dates, and places), and Death (date and place and burial place).  Extra information may include military service, church membership, work, or activities, places of residence, etc.  The best Family Trees also include sources and evidence (how do we know and can prove the names, places, dates and Relationships in the genealogy).  While we talk about the tree containing our “Ancestors,” the trees also include the children and sometimes grandchildren of our direct ancestors, increasing the number of people in a tree.  In an era of handwritten, typed, printed, or even photo-copied paper-based genealogies, the Bare-Bones Versions were standard.

How Much Information Can You Expect in YOUR Bare-Bones Family Tree? 

 

J. R. Mueller

    “Well”, as they say,” that depends.”  In my master Tree File (called Frances’ Family History), as of today (Oct. 29, 2020), I have 21,126 people, with 6,362 marriages, spanning 63 generations. The most recent entry (John Christian Mueller, JR) was born in 2016 and the earliest entry (Hutterus Heruli) was born in 15 AD.   There are 126,648 facts associated with these individuals, and 7,166 sources.  

Hutterus Heruli

        Some may find the numbers surprising, but just consider the following chart, and realize just how many ancestors each person accumulates over only a few generations.

 

       My tree covers the Ancestors of Charles and Frances as well as our grandchildren (so it includes the Ancestors of our sons-in-law) and our great grandson (so it includes his father’s family).  It also includes the ancestors of my brother Jacky’s children and grandchildren.  Therefore, about 8,000 of the 21,000 are my ancestors and about an equal number belong to Charles.  The remaining 6,000 or so belong to the spouses of our children and grandchildren, as well as the ancestors of  our cousins (i.e. Lemoine, Page, Nelson, DeRamus, Allerdyce, Miller, Mayfield, Hobbs, etc.).

        Recently, I have created some trees for individual relatives, and these can give you an idea of how the big tree breaks down.  The Tree created for my Heard Cousin, Danielle Rhine has 5,215 people which includes our Heard, Nolen, Jones, and Lindsey Ancestors as well as some of her Allerdyce Family.  The Tree created for my great nephew, Brody Jackson has 7,414 people which includes Jackson and Heard Ancestors as well as many of his Mother’s Ancestors.  

    In contrast, the McGrade Family Tree, created for my deceased son-in-law Stephen McGrade, contains only 106 people (so far).  The Tree for my son-in-law Angel Perez includes 525 people, and was created almost entirely using DNA matches.  The Tree for my Jackson cousin Henry Lemoine includes our Jackson, Adams, Polhemus, and Frederick families as well as his Lemoine Ancestors.  It totals 6,131 people.  I have not done any recent trees for Charles’ family members, but those who share his Freeman and Nunley Ancestors can expect about 7.000 ancestors while those who are Nunley can anticipate about 4,000 and those who are Freeman-Boone will have about 3,000.

    If you request Your Bare-Bones, Essential Family Tree, extracted from my records, you will have probably receive between 100 and 8,000 ancestors spanning 5 to 60 generations.  

THE ELABORATED FAMILY TREE (Genealogy Plus Family History) —    

  The advent of digital media has expanded our concept of the “Family Tree.”  A digital (on-line or computer-based) genealogy file can include, photos, documents, newspaper clippings, tombstone images, photo copies from Bibles, books or other publications, images of military records, as well as stories and drawings, audio recordings, video recordings, and a wide variety of other content.  From these collections of digital files, a wide variety of graphic displays can easily be constructed and printed or shared in digital format.  

    For example, for the 21,126 individuals in Frances’ Family History, we have 18,717 photos, 4,432 stories, 56,000 citations, 7,166 sources, and 30,542 media items.  Needless to say, photos and media items greatly increase the size of genealogy files  (mine is measured in gigabytes).

    To give you some idea of how these break down, the McGrade Family Tree with 106 people has 74 photos and 0 stories; Danielle’s Tree with 5,215 people has 7,142 photos and 251 stories; Brody’s Tree, with 7,414 people has 10,342 photos and 486 stories.  When considering the category “photos,” keep in mind that photocopies of birth certificates, census or military records, Coats of Arms, etc. are counted as photos.  

    If you want the details and the media that make the Elaborated Family Tree larger and more interesting, you will need to make more effort to receive all of the available information.

THE FAMILY HISTORY (Putting the Stories Together) —  

In my conceptual world, the family history includes the information from the  genealogy, but presents. the materials as stories in a narrative within historic, geographic, and cultural settings. I confess, that in recent years, I have grown more interested in writing Family Histories than in expanding my Family Tree.  I am hoping to turn the pursuit of our ancestors over to a new generation, while concentrating on writing (and possibly someday publishing) Family History. 

I wrote my first family history 30 years ago (1990) after spending time in Germany chasing down the Rev. Johannes Theodorus Polhemus.  I gave xeroxed paper copies of that first effort to my Jackson family members.  I am throughly disillusioned with that experience, because I can’t find a single surviving copy.  Similarly, Sara Jo and I published a Heard Family Newspaper, circulating copies that included both current news and Family History articles.  I can’t find any of these either.  I hope that I will have greater success with the current endeavor.

    If I have time and strength, and you have interest, I will compile collections of these Blogs into e-books appropriate for different branches of the family.  I readily admit that your interest will be the primary determinant in which stories are written and published first.  

    At the End of this Blog, I give links to some of the 34 Blogs in which I have written episodes of Family History, or other information about Family History.  I have organized these in a rough alphabetical listing.

A Work In Process Progress

You might as well know the bad news up front.  Genealogy and Family History are ALWAYS Works in Process.  By their nature, they are NEVER COMPLETE.  There is always more to be done; more to be discovered; more to be investigated; more corrections to make; more people to add (with marriages and births).  

    And speaking of CORRECTIONS.  I DO NOT GUARANTEE THE ACCURACY OF MY RESEARCH.  What I have is the BEST I am able to ascertain AT THIS TIME. With new techniques, new information, new sources; revisions will need to be made.  I have carless errors, typos, misprints, and just plain old mistakes.  YOU ARE EXPECTED TO CORRECT my mistakes (Not give me a hard time about them).  I am a poor old lady;  I am eager to know what you discover, but I don’t have time for complaints or criticism — just fix it.  However, don’t make changes just because my work doesn’t agree with someone else (I may be right).

WHAT YOU WON’T FIND IN MY FAMILY TREE —

    Some genealogists pursue ancestors: while others pursue living kin.  I confess I belong to the “Ancestor Hunters.”  While I enjoy meeting interesting new relatives, finding them is not my primary goal.  Further, putting “living people” in online family trees raises privacy issues that I prefer not to deal with.  

    Most online services “hide” living people from viewers who don’t have special “privileges” granted by the owner; but by nature, I am not trusting.  Sometimes I add the names of living people for special purposes (for example generating their tree, or linking their DNA), but mostly I don’t list them, or I only use a “place marker.”  Besides, as I have learned from sad experience “living people” complain bitterly if you make any mistakes in their records.  The deceased are more forgiving.  Therefore, YOU will be responsible for adding or correcting entries for living people (or recently deceased people) in any tree I give you.  

    If any of you are really interested in networking with our living relations, I have included “special project” suggestions in the last section of the Blog.  If you don’t read anything else, read this final section.

WHAT FORMATS DO YOU WANT?

I am committed to trying to give you exactly what you want in the formats you prefer, at a minimal cost (preferable free).  

The GEDCOM — Genealogical Data Communication

The GEDCOM was developed by the Church of the Latter Day Saints (Mormons) as a file format for basic genealogical data.  It is used in their On-Line Genealogy Site, FamilySearch.org .   GEDCOM software is free, and the use of Family Search’s extensive data bases are provided free. 

    GEDCOM is especially useful for moving genealogical data from one system or program to another.   For example, I can create a GEDCOM File from any subset of data in my ancestry.com Family Tree.  I can send that GEDCOM File to any of you by email, or on a thumb drive or disc.  The recipient can download the free software to open, view, and edit the GEDCOM on their own Computer.  They can also use the GEDCOM to create their own Family Trees on more sophisticated Software Programs (available for purchase for computer or other devices).  Alternatively, they can use the GEDCOM to create their own online Family Tree at any of the pay-for-use sites currently available (I’ll talk a more about these later).  There are good printed guides for using GEDCOMS, and there is a whole series of Videos to guide you (just Google GEDCOM).

    In short, if you want your own family tree, all you have to do is ask me, and I will send you an email with the GEDCOM of your ancestors. If you are into paper, you can print (or have a print store print) all of the family tree information for a hard copy file.  

    So, if  GEDCOM, which is essentially free, and does so much, is available for our exchange,? what are the limitations or problems Well, with the GEDCOM you get only the “Bare-Bones, Essential Genealogy” as discussed above — who, when, where, and the relationships.  What is missing are the elaborations — photos, stories, records, media.  For many, the GEDCOM is sufficient, and if they want more, they can download the “frills” from Ancestry, FamilySearch, MyHeritage, or one of the other online services.  In other words, they can GEDCOM now, and elaborate later.   

BEYOND THE BASICS

Desktop — On-Line — Both in Sync

If you want a more elaborate genealogy, you have multiple choices to make.  Genealogy is the world’s second most popular hobby, and it is becoming really big business, with new products introduced daily.   Recently Family Tree Magazine reviewed the available software options and the online genealogy services, and how the services and software sync.  When choosing Desktop Software or an Online Genealogy Service, you need to consider compatibility, because your choice of one impacts your choice of the other.

    The first chart (Green) shows the most popular Genealogy Software, its manufacturer, cost, compatibility, which online trees it will sync with, and where it can download “hints” to new information for building your tree.  The second chart (Blue) lists the most widely used Online Genealogy Sites, their costs, their compatibility with mobile apps, and the desktop software they will Sync with.  Finally, the third chart, (in blue and green) focuses on compatibility for Syncing your Desktop Tree with your Online Tree.

Question:  Why do people need both a Desktop Tree and an Online Tree, and why is important for them to sync? Many people use only an Online Tree.  With an Online Tree you can use the data bases of the subscription company to grow and expand your tree, while storing your work on their remote servers.  A Desktop Tree is not necessary.  However, if you are cautious, you will want to have a backup copy of the work in which you have invested time, money and effort.  The copy (or copies) stored on your computer (on internal and/or external hard drives) provide a backup to secure your work.  Further, in many cases the Desktop Software allows you to edit, save, display, print or do other things with your data, that cannot be done with the Online Tree.  Finally, if you allow your online subscription to expire, your access to your Tree and your collected data may be limited.

  

 From the other side, some people choose to use only Desktop Software to maintain and store their Family Tree.  They find the materials they need through online searches of multiple free sites, and import the data and manually upload and store it in their desktop computer program.  They purchase and use commercial software because it has multiple advantages over free GEDCOM programs, which can do many of the same things.  However, the Online Genealogy Services offer some data not available from free sites, and equally important, they make importing your findings into your Online Tree far, far easier and more convenient than manually importing it from other sources.  

    Of course, if you are going to use both an Online Service with an Online Tree, and Desktop software with a Tree saved on your hard drive, you want to be able to Sync them so that what you have Online and what you have on your computer reflect the same information.

    Most recently, an additional factor has been added to our considerations in choosing Desktop Software and Online Services — DNA Results and Research.  If you have taken or plan to take DNA tests or use those tests in your Genealogy Research, the company (or companies) you test with offer differing potential for optimizing the comparison of your findings with your “Genetic DNA Matches.”  Several Online services offer DNA testing, and process and report matches between customers who test with their company (i.e. Ancestry and MyHeritage).  One service GEDmatch is free and allows individuals to copy (upload) their DNA findings from any DNA genealogy Test to the GEDmatch site, and search for matches from multiple companies. GEDmatch also offers a number of special programs (or apps) for browsing and comparing DNA from different individuals.

    You may have read about the use of GEDmatch in finding the Golden State Killer.  The controversy introduced by the publicity surrounding that case has led to new “privacy” standards for all of the DNA genealogy services.

LOW INVESTMENT OPTIONS — Since FamilySearch is the FREE Online Site for creating, growing, and managing your Family Research, the least expensive approach that allows you to have a more Elaborate Family Tree, is to purchase and use one of the Desktop programs that work with Family Search Family Tree.  The Programs that meet this criteria are Legacy Family Tree 9 and RootsMagic 7.5 with TreeShare, which cost $34.99 and $29.95 respectively. 

    Before going further, the special relationship which exists between FamilySearch and MyHeritage is worth discussing.  While FamilySearch has data sharing agreements with many of the Online Services, the relationship with MyHeritage is especially close. I tend to think of MyHeritage as the upgraded, pay-for-services, easier-to-use version of Family Search.  This is in-part because the way you use the two sites share many similarities.  MyHeritage is the distributer of both Family Tree Builder 8 (a highly reviewed free desktop program) which works with My Heritage and Legacy Family Tree 9 which costs $34.95 but works with the free Family Search Family Tree.

    I have recently been exploring both FamilySearch and MyHeritage, and do not doubt that I can find information I do not currently have from their online sites.  However, I am not certain that I have the patience to learn all that I need to know to be an efficient user of FamilySearch. I can’t tell if it is difficult to use, or if I am simply accustomed to Ancestry, and don’t adapt well (or maybe I have become the “old dog” who can’t learn new tricks).   I would really love to have some of YOU explore what we can learn from the data bases associated with these sites.  I have purchased guides to the use of the programs and sites, and am more than willing to share these with anyone who wishes to give it a whirl.  

    Along these same lines, I am planning on purchasing RootsMagic 7.5 with Tree Share because I can use it with my Ancestry Tree and with FamilySearch Family Tree.  I am hoping to achieve two things by doing this.  First, I will be able to access data available through FamilySearch, but not through Ancestry.  Second, I should be able to send the Enhanced Information from my Ancestry Tree to any of you who also purchase and use Roots Magic 7.5 (at $29.95).

PRICER OPTIONS —  When I started using the computer for genealogy, online sites did not exist and Family Tree Maker was produced by a company called Broderbund.  Ancestry was a company that sold discs that could be purchased and used with Family Tree Maker (the data was from the Church of the Latter Day Saints, and could also be accessed in their world-wide locations of Family History Centers).  Ancestry eventually acquired and marketed Family Tree Maker to work with their new online services.  That was a couple of decades ago, and I have stayed with these two compatible (if expensive products), primarily because I can use them in a semi-stupor (which may describe my work much of the time).  

    I can create an Ancestry Tree on my Ancestry Account for any of you or for any group of you (as I have done for those used as examples above).  With a link from me, you can access your tree on my account.  If I assign you Editor privileges, you can edit your tree, and add any materials you wish to contribute.  However, Ancestry will not give you access to the data bases that I subscribe to.  They have gotten smart and begun restricting non-paying visitors.  

    My Ancestry Trees are “public,” so you can view them.  Ancestry will also allow you a 30 day free trial, during which time you can create your own Tree in your own Account.  Ancestry does NOT delete your tree after you end your trial membership.  It remains, and you can access it, but cannot access Ancestry’s data bases (their way of persuading you to subscribe).

    If any of you do a short trial with Ancestry or opt for a longer subscription, I can work with you to move everything I have about your Family to your tree, and show you how to save the Ancestry information using Family Tree Maker.  If you purchase and load Family Tree Maker to your computer, I can send you all the files I have for your tree.

SPECIAL INTEREST PROJECTS

Exploring Individual Interests

There are a number of special interest projects, that I would love to work with any of you to accomplish.  If there is broad interest in any particular project, I can write about how we can create what you want.  I will mention a couple, and then wait for you to inquire about these or suggest others:

ART PROJECTS —  Some of you might be interested in creating, gifting, or displaying printed and framed Family Trees.  I did one for Aunt Cecile many years ago, and it hangs in my house today.  I did another only a few years ago for Uncle Lindsey.  Ancestry, Family Tree Maker, MyHeritage, and RootsMagic all offer options for creating a wide variety of Family Trees, including those with photos.  If any of you are interested, we can work together to create what you want.

 MAPMAKING —  All of my programs and services identify the places our ancestors lived, and connect these places to people and events in their lives.  The same programs also provide software programs for creating maps illustrating the travels of individuals or of families.  I would love to have such maps either in digital form to illustrate Family Histories or to attach to our Trees.  I would also love to have beautiful printed versions of these maps to display.  I have seen these beautifully displayed.  However, I probably won’t get around to creating these.  If one of you is interested in maps or in artistic/historic projects, I would love to work with you on mapmaking projects.

ONLINE FAMILY PHOTO SITE  --  I am so eager to have someone do this, that I will pay the site subscription costs if they will do the work with the photos.  This allows individual family groups to set up albums, upload photos and share all of our wonderful family photographs.  We can also download, print, or otherwise use these valuable, legacies.

LINAGE AND HERITAGE SOCIETIES —  Several of our families came to North America 400 years ago, settling in Virginia, New Amsterdam, New England, and the Caribbean Islands.  Most of the lines documented in Frances’ Family History have been on this continent for over 300 years.  Most of you are eligible for membership in almost any linage or heritage society you aspire to join.  

For any of you who consider these organizations “vanity” groups, think again.  If you have ever visited the Alamo, you should know that without the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, that historic structure would not be standing, and most of the items in the museum would be scattered or lost entirely.  The Headquarters, Museum, and Library of the Daughters of the American Revolution are included among the sites visited by many tours of Washington D.C., because of the history preserved there.  

For the pragmatists among you, let me also point out that these linage, heritage and historical societies give away millions of dollars in scholarships each year, and that in many cases children of members, or children eligible for membership are given priority as recipients.  If you have children approaching college age, you should research these organizations, and consider targeting their scholarships. In some cases there is minimal competition for the monies.  

Many of these groups also conduct a variety of activities for youth, targeted at encouraging their interest in history and heritage.  Every year children receive recognition and prizes (including cash, travel, and scholarships) for participating in these activities.  Some of these awards and activities can contribute directly to college admissions and scholarships.

IMPORTANT  —  If one of your close relatives achieves membership in a linage or heritage society, your road to membership is easier.  You can use many of the same documents to “prove” your eligibility, and in some groups, proof of your relationship with a member serves to seal your eligibility.  For example, I joined the DAR through Aunt Cecile’s established “proof.”  For this reason, if one of  You is interested in a particular group, like the Holland Society of New York, The Jamestown Society,  The Mayflower Society, or one of the First Family Societies (of Virginia, New York, Connecticut, Maryland, North Caroline, Louisiana, Georgia, Alabama, etc.) I am eager to assist.  If you are interested in Organizations limited to descendants of specific groups or individuals, I can also help with these.  For example, many of you are eligible for the Winthrop Society and others for the Boone Society.  Many of you are descendants of Quakers and others are descendants of Huguenots.  Some of us are the descendants of Clergy, while others descend from lawyers, and as shameful as it may be, some of us descend from politicians.   For these, and other groups, all of the work on your membership opens doors for the rest of us.

At the end of this paragraph, I have placed links that lead to lists or directories of linage and heritage societies.  If you have an interest in any of those you find on the lists, I will be happy to work with you in locating the materials you need for your membership application.  

Links to Lists of Linage and Heritage Societies

https://www.genealogy.com/articles/learn/105_course7.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_hereditary_and_lineage_organizations 

https://www.cyndislist.com/societies/lineage/early-america/ 

http://www.hereditary.us/list_a.htm 

Links to Organizations some of you might find interesting:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daughters_of_the_Republic_of_Texas  

https://scv.org

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sons_of_Confederate_Veterans  

https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/French-Canadian_Genealogical_and_Historical_Societies_(National_Institute) 

http://www.gachgs.com  

https://www.firstfamiliesny.org. 

DNA PROJECTS — Even those not interested in traditional genealogy may be interested in exploring your DNA, and I am eager to work with any of you who have interests in your ethnicity, origins, or health.  The more you learn, the more your family knows.  (For more information read about DNA Potential in Genealogy)

Further, what you learn from genetic studies may increase your interest in your family tree.  In Ancestry, and on other sites, your DNA matches are much more valuable if your DNA results are linked to an Ancestry Tree with the maximum number of Ancestors.  This allows Ancestry (and other programs) to identify common Ancestors with your DNA matches.  This is called triangulation, and is the basic method for using DNA to support classic genealogy in “proving” descent.  In Ancestry it also allows the site program to match your Ancestors with the Ancestors of your DNA matches to create what they call ThruLines.

Thus far, our family members have taken advantage of these features by linking their DNA results to my large tree.  However, we are now experimenting with creating individual Trees (as for example for Danielle, Brody, or Angel) and then linking their DNA to their own Tree.  If any of you are interested in DNA or in linking your existing DNA results to a Tree, we can work together on finding the best approach.

BOOKS OR PRINTED GENEALOGIES —  If some of you would really like to have your genealogy information in a printed and/or bound form, we can work on doing that.  Family Tree Maker, Ancestry, MyHeritage, and RootsMagic 7 all offer options for creating printable versions of the information stored in the Trees.  Creating the books and reports is not difficult, but proofing and editing are essential, and I just don’t want to use my remaining years correcting errors I made 30 years ago.   If you will proof and edit, we are in the publishing business.

MEMORIALS TO PEOPLE WE LOVE AND HONOR — Creating tributes to living and deceased family members is one of the most needed and important projects anyone can undertake.  I am truly sorry that I have not done more.  By far the most active site for memorials is legacy.com.  Wikipedia offers an unbiased description of Legacy’s memorials, and Legacy describes their own mission.  If you check names of deceased family members, you are likely to discover some already have memorials on Legacy (for example, Sara Jo and Aunt Vera).  Legacy builds their memorials through affiliations with funeral homes and newspapers or directly, based on contributions by individuals.  However, as you will see when visiting the above memorials, much could be done to make these better and more complete.

The memorial website that I use most frequently is findagrave.com.  They were started in 1995 by a gentleman who enjoyed visiting cemeteries.  They are now owned by ancestry.com.   They describe the mission of this subsidiary at this link.   Again, you will find many family members with pages on findagrave.com, but like my father and my brother, their memorials may not be very complete (if you visit these, you see why I am sorry not to have done more). 

fold3.com is one of my favorite genealogy sites.  It offers a collection of military records, and space for creating  Military Memorials to honor veterans from all U.S. Conflicts on their “Wall.”  I learned while writing this that I have inadvertently created 20 memorials to Veterans while researching their military careers.  Since I did not actively “create” these memorials, Fold3 records are their only content.  One exception is the memorial to Levi Annison Adams, to which I have attached a photo.  On all my memorial pages the “Gallery”  holds most of the information.  I regret I have not done more, and resolve to work on improving the representation of our military heroes on this site.  I’m hoping some of you will help.  For many years I subscribed to Fold3, and after ancestry.com bought the site, I combined my subscriptions.  We can use my access to improve these memorials.

Perhaps the apex of online tributes is to memorialize your loved one in Wikipedia.  This is feasible if the relative has some major accomplishments.  We all take pride in the recognition achieved by the eldest Heard son, Thomas Pinkney Heard, but others would qualify if someone took the time to write their entry.

Finally, the popularity of online memorials for the recently deceased is growing, and sites hosting these are increasing.  You can review the top Ten online memorial sites in this article.  I haven’t used any of these, although I have been led to some while checking up on the status of some old friends (not the happiest findings).  Most are associated with funeral homes or cemeteries. 

Exploring the concept of virtual cemeteries and cyber eternal life (while writing this Blog) has left me a bit disturbed.  Clearly the future holds some interesting changes in this field.  You may enjoy a bit if Si-Fi related to what lies ahead in: 

https://www.newsweek.com/2014/08/29/after-death-dont-mourn-digitize-sites-eternime-264892.html

MILITARY HISTORY   Having introduced you to Fold3, I should mention that one sub-genre of genealogy is associated with military history.  Most branches of our family have sent men to fight in every War in North America from the French and Indian War to the Spanish American War.  More recently our men and women have fought for the U.S. in foreign wars.  Documenting the exploits of our military heroes through studying the histories of their units is a specialized form of genealogical research.   I have done some work in this area, particularly in following Levi A. Adams through the Civil War, and following “Killing” Stephen Jackson (purportedly the real-life model for “The Patriot”) through the Revolution.  However, I really wish one of you would discover an interest in this work.

SCRAPBOOK and PHOTOBOOK PROJECTS —  I have no artistic talent (zero, zilch, nada), therefore I have only the greatest admiration (mixed with envy) for those who have these talents.  Among the talents that I covet is the ability to create either “concrete” or “digital” scrapbooks or picture books, or wall hangings, or collages.  If I could do this, I would be working on one now, instead of typing away.  I have collected materials I believe Scrapbookers would enjoy using, but I can’t do anything worthwhile with it.  I would love to work with a talented cousin to accomplish some projects.

NETWORKING AND ORGANIZING INFORMATION ON LIVING RELATIVES (REAL OR VIRTUAL REUNIONS) —  Above I discussed the limitations of my genealogy with respect to “living” relatives (other descendants of my ancestors).  Several recent developments have increased my interest in living relatives, and increased my contact with them.  These two developments are:  1. DNA and 2. Social Media. 

        Because of my DNA research, I am currently communicating with some of my living distant relatives, and literally have connections and access to several thousand.  If I want to find, organize, and communicate with my living kin, I can do so with great ease. 

 
Through Social Media, I have organized or joined several groups (in my case on FaceBook) dedicated to specific families or to settlers of particular geographic areas.  These groups are already functioning to bring people together to share their information and their stories.  Such sharing has great potential for advancing understanding and leading to new knowledge.  

Literally, as I was typing that last paragraph I received a FB message with an attached link to a UTUBE video from a newly discovered “cousin.”  It was a great video on early New Amsterdam, with mention of common ancestors.  This is what I mean about the value of using Social Media for genealogy.  I hope one of you, who has more social drive will be interested in such a project.

OTHER PROJECTS YOU SUGGEST   —  If you have an idea, run it by me.  I can at least estimate the difficulty involved and how what we already know can contribute to our success.  

I conclude this Blog with a listing of my prior attempts at Family History.  Your input regarding what you find interesting, and who or what you would like me to write about in the future is actively solicited. 

MY FAMILY HISTORY BLOGS

ALL FAMILIES

https://communicatinglife2.blogspot.com/2011/06/family-history-power-of-stories.html

https://communicatinglife2.blogspot.com/2018/03/using-dna-to-understand-our-family.html

https://communicatinglife2.blogspot.com/2011/06/cousins-defined.html

https://communicatinglife2.blogspot.com/2011/06/cousins.html

https://communicatinglife2.blogspot.com/2011/08/crape-myrtle-memories.html

MULTIPLE FAMILIES (JACKSON, HEARD, LINDSEY, COX, HICKS, HEWELL)

https://communicatinglife2.blogspot.com/2012/05/royal-connections-for-jackson-cox-heard.html

https://communicatinglife2.blogspot.com/2015/01/royal-roots-heard-jackson-lindsey-cox.html

MULTIPLE FAMILIES (HEARD, NOLEN, MILLER/MUELLER)

https://communicatinglife2.blogspot.com/2018/12/heards-nolens-and-their-millermueller.html

MULTIPLE FAMILIES (JACKSON, HEARD, NOLEN, POLHEMUS, ADAMS)

https://communicatinglife2.blogspot.com/2019/02/400-years-in-north-america-our-family.html

ADAMS FAMILY

https://communicatinglife2.blogspot.com/2019/02/adams-y-dna-our-story.html

https://communicatinglife2.blogspot.com/2017/01/levi-annison-adams-and-nancy-ann-hobbs.html

https://communicatinglife2.blogspot.com/2017/05/our-adams-family-trees.html

COX FAMILY

https://communicatinglife2.blogspot.com/2012/06/cox-family-of-louisiana.html

COX AND PUGH FAMILIES

https://communicatinglife2.blogspot.com/2013/10/quaker-families-in-desoto-parish.html  

https://communicatinglife2.blogspot.com/2011/06/are-you-of-quaker-descent-lost-quakers.html

FREEMAN FAMILY (INCLUDING BOONE)

https://communicatinglife2.blogspot.com/2020/03/the-freeman-family-farm.html

https://communicatinglife2.blogspot.com/2015/11/charles-c-freeman-amazing-life.html

HEARD AND LINSDEY FAMILIES

https://communicatinglife2.blogspot.com/2020/07/sarah-adeline-lindsey-and-panther.html

HEARD FAMILY

https://communicatinglife2.blogspot.com/2014/01/myrtis-lee-heard-jackson-her-family-and.html

https://communicatinglife2.blogspot.com/2019/06/lindsey-l-heard.html

https://communicatinglife2.blogspot.com/2020/07/heard-family-letters-communications.html

https://communicatinglife2.blogspot.com/2018/01/heard-family-research-resources-heard.html

https://communicatinglife2.blogspot.com/2011/06/thomas-pinkney-heard-pink-red-tp.html

JACKSON FAMILY

https://communicatinglife2.blogspot.com/2014/09/the-jackson-family-of-north-central_2.html

https://communicatinglife2.blogspot.com/2014/09/the-jackson-family-of-north-central.html

https://communicatinglife2.blogspot.com/2014/09/the-dukes-laws-and-robert-jackson.html

https://communicatinglife2.blogspot.com/2014/09/the-ancestors-of-john-seaborn-sebe.html

https://communicatinglife2.blogspot.com/2014/09/james-jackson-sr-part-iv-ancestors-of.html

JONES FAMILY

https://communicatinglife2.blogspot.com/2019/03/for-william-jones-descendants.html

NOLEN FAMILY

https://communicatinglife2.blogspot.com/2020/06/murder-on-ten-mile-creek-saga-of.html

https://communicatinglife2.blogspot.com/2020/06/the-history-of-nolen-family-of-louisiana.html

NUNLEY FAMILY

https://communicatinglife2.blogspot.com/2013/05/hidden-cherokees-of-tennessee-story-of.html 

https://communicatinglife2.blogspot.com/2013/02/black-jack-jesse-nunley-warrior-of.html    

https://communicatinglife2.blogspot.com/2020/04/a-letter-to-descendants-of-jesse-nunley.html