Growing Your Tribe
We all want to belong to something. It’s a basic human need. The internet is full of reports telling us being alone is not good for our health, either mentally or physically. New family members can help.
Whether your existing family is large or small, there’s a way you can make it grow. By learning about your family members that came before you, your ancestors, who they were and what they accomplished, your family can get even bigger.
If you’re wondering how you can get to know family that has been gone, sometimes for hundreds of years, it’s easy, because you already know how! We all regularly endeavor to “get to know” people that we will never meet. Just look back at the recent election season. You probably tried to get to know the candidates, people you will never meet, by studying the information you had. You may have watched debates, read stories about what they did or how they reacted. Maybe you looked up their voting records or did an internet search to see what their qualifications were or their answers, or lack of answers, on polling sites. All these things helped you get to know the candidates well enough to cast an informed vote.
Looking Back
You can do the same thing with your ancestors. By learning what they did, where they lived, studying the records they left behind, and learning about the places they live, you can get to know your ancestors, perhaps better than some of your living family members! They will belong to your tribe!
The upcoming holiday season is a great time to start. As you gather with family members, ask them what they know or remember about that grandparent, great grandparent, or great aunt in your family. You could even record the conversation with a recorder app on your phone. You might be surprised to learn how much you have in common with them and what they accomplished. It’s also a great way to bond with your relatives!
Need help finding the family members who belong to you? Heroes of the Past is here to help. Contact us to learn more.
