Let me introduce a guest blog from lifestyle blogger John Adams.
History is a controversial subject. Some find it fascinating, given that it reveals so much about the past that it vital to our existence. Some prefer to live in the moment and consider history frivolous, as it is something that cannot be changed. Most of us have mixed feelings about what happened in times before us and how it led to what we have today. While learning about the country’s history at school does not sound much fun, discovering your own ancestors can be rather interesting and thought provoking. Being curious about the previous generations in your family is a good thing, as long as it does not escalate to ‘progonoplexia’, i.e. a deep obsession with one’s ancestry.
Remember that your past does not have to define who you are. Times change, human beings evolve, and family law is influenced accordingly. You are in control of your life and you have the right to make your own legacy. You will come across information to take pride in and things that may disappoint; the journey of finding your family tree if full of surprises of all kinds. If you yearn to connect with your roots, here are a few pointers to help you get started:
Explore your Immediate Surroundings
Before you embark on any faraway journey to hunt down your ancestors, look for clues at your present home. Talk to elders in your family and visit relatives living nearby. Old photo albums, letters, and other ancient relics in the attic can provide you a solid foundation to build upon. Request the oldest people in your family to identify unfamiliar faces in old pictures and share their stories with you; these people are living libraries! Relatives you do not visit too often might express reluctance in talking about their past, so be gentle and politely explain what you are up to.
Utilize Online Resources
Once you have gathered a substantial amount of ancestral data from your immediate surroundings, it is time to put it all together with the assistance of online resources. Popular genealogy websites like ‘Ancestory.com’ and ‘Archives.com’ can help you uncover valuable facts about your family tree in no time. These sites may charge a small fee for giving you detailed results, though they are a lot more efficient and accurate than searching info manually.
Socialize and Travel
It is unlikely that your entire family tree came from the homeland you live in today. You may already know or might have guessed that your roots lie someplace else. Perhaps your parents or someone among your forefathers were immigrants, yet you know almost nothing about their true origin. You may end up finding a connection to a location that never crossed your mind. This can be a wonderful excuse to travel abroad and see a whole new world that is linked to your genes. You can look up individuals sharing your family name and make new friends even if you don’t turn out be related.
Consider a DNA Test
If you don’t have any family near you or you were raised by adoptive/foster parents, you may consider getting a DNA test to discover the unknown. Genetics can reveal ancestral secrets that could never be discovered otherwise. National Geographic’s ‘Geno 2.0 Kit’ can help you connect to ancestors thousands of years ago and detect migration paths.
Author Bio
John Adams is a lifestyle blogger who loves to travel and share his life experiences. He encourages readers to improve their quality of life by incorporating positive thoughts and actions. He is a health & fitness enthusiast, and contributes to various online platforms in the same niche.
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