Leave a legacy...write down
the history of your family.
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 Photo by Elijah Hail on Unsplash For those of you who have read “First Things First” by Stephen Covey, you will recognize the phrase ‘sharpening the saw’. No, it doesn’t refer to sharpening a farm tool. <smile> However just like trying to cut wood with a dull saw would be ineffective, we do our best work when we take time to sharpen our minds by refreshing, recharging and learning new things.
One of the best things about doing family history research is that you are continually learning new things about your ancestors, about history and about yourself. Let’s look at ways to continue to learn and grow in our genealogy and our family research.  Little bits of paper, faded photos, concert programs and tickets evoke memories from our past. Perhaps you have created a scrapbook of your children or yourself from childhood. The visual story provides you with reminders of your past and opens a door for others to get to know you. Scrapbooks become another way for us to tell our ancestor stories. For those who find the thought of writing a book overwhelming, a scrapbook might be the answer.
We’ll look at some ideas and resources to help you create your ancestor’s scrapbook and tell their story If you're in the Fargo-Moorhead area on September 29th, consider attending the Family History Workshop at Horizon Middle School in Moorhead, Minnesota. This year is the 43rd workshop with the theme "Over There" to honor our veterans. In addition to military research you'll find a variety of genealogy sessions for the beginner to advanced genealogists. To see the detailed schedule and to learn more please check out the Heritage Education site. There is still time to register and enjoy this great education opportunity!
 I’m told that “homely” in Ireland means (of a place or surroundings) simple but cozy and comfortable, as in one's own home. That's exactly how Ireland felt when I visited there...like home. If you have roots in Ireland, one of your desires is to find that village, that place, that home where your ancestors originated.
If you’ve been doing your research for your family in Ireland, you know it can be an uphill battle with many records lost. Perhaps your family is like mine where you know the village and even have visited the homestead. In case you think I’m bragging, my other branch has Sullivans and Cotters from Cork and Kerry with no other clues, not even the names of siblings or parents. Just like they materialized out of thin air! So where do you start?  Recently we’ve seen media focused on elaborate memorial and funeral services for well-known figures. Regardless of amount of fanfare associated with the passing of a loved one, the grief and process of saying goodbye is common to all.
With many cultures and traditions worldwide, memorials and funerals take on many forms. Today, we’ll focus on what was typical for immigrants on the great plains…while respecting that other religions and cultures have their own traditions to honor their ancestors.  With fall around the corner, are you enjoying the last of your garden produce? I’ve certainly enjoyed when friends shared their extra tomatoes and cucumbers. While our ancestors couldn’t pop into the local grocery and get fresh produce, they became very proficient at growing large gardens to feed their growing families. In recent years, families spent time determining what seeds to order while pouring over Gurney’s catalog. Do you remember doing that?
If your ancestor came directly from the “old country” chances are that they brought their favorite recipes. Did they bring seeds from the old country? Would they grow here? What happened when they moved to the prairies? Were the same foods available? If not, how did they adapt? How do we learn more? |
AuthorWith a lifelong passion for genealogy and history, the author enjoys the opportunity to share genealogy tidbits, inspiring others to research and write their family story. Archives
January 2025
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