Issue 50.16
This past year I have enjoyed finding a multitude of information about my family history . Looking at fan charts, family trees and finding all kinds of facts about my family progenitors and ancestors has been enlightening.
The internet is filled with helpful sites including; Ancestory.com Findarecord, Puzzilla, Pandora Hope Chest and Family Search to name a few. Once you start finding information your curiosity and intrigue push you forward to know more. Pictures and stories of your ancestors can enlighten you on their challenges and undertakings. Their hurdles were much different than those we face in this day. After watching The DNA Journey found at “www.momondo.co.uk/letsopenourworld/dna” I took the invitation on one site to receive a DNA ethnicity estimate which confirmed I am mostly from Great Britain 50% along with some Scandinavia 20%, Ireland 13% and Western Europe 10%. One surprise was a scant 5% from the Iberian Peninsula which includes Spain and Portugal. One wonders…
I have found that searching out family history can be very interesting and rewarding. It can also give us depth of understanding and connects with our forefathers. Even with all that is available, one always wants more understanding of our past families lives. With the yearning for more about our ancestors I wonder that we are not doing our part to know and document the lives of our own immediate family members. We perhaps take for granted the here and now and easily put off what we think we can do tomorrow.
I recently came across an amazing short video made by a German food company EDEKA, which can be found at “www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6-0kYhqoRo”. Take a few minutes to pull it up and watch how relationships are so often put off in the busy lives we lead. What are we missing?
This is one reason we are advocating “Have the Talk of a Lifetime” especially at this time of the year when we do try to come together as family. This initiative found at “metcalfmortuary.com” encourages you to talk with your parents and grandparents. Several questions are offered as a catalyst for conversation in uncovering many facts and stories about our families who are here now. Asking about hopes, dreams, friends, talents, values, accomplishments, first job, favorite things, etc. can trigger a multitude of wonderful stories we may have never know about our loved ones. What is the most important advice they have to offer you? What was the most challenging part of their lives and why? What is the most valuable lesson learned?
So my challenge to you is to “make a difference in this lifetime” by talking, asking questions and listening this holiday season. I promise you will find out things you did not know, you will gain a greater appreciation for your immediate living ancestors and they will know that they are loved, appreciated and have in some way made a difference in your life.
Ron Metcalf can be reached at 435-673-4221.