Why do Family History?
If you are Mormon or LDS, the reason to do family history is because it is a commandment. The religion believes that families can be together forever and that family history and ordinance work will put families together in the next life. This gives members a great desire to learn and perform genealogy research. Since the religion is so family focused many members have a strong drive to learn about their ancestors. This has led to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints becoming one of the best sources, in the world, for genealogical information.
The Bug
When you research a real family that is only a few generations back, you start to think about them. You will start to think about their struggles, successes, and ways of life. If you get really focused, you will be able to feel a special closeness to these people that you didn’t before. It is something that can’t be expressed in words, but must be experienced first hand.
For example, if you find out that a close relative had a son born on the same day of yours, only years earlier, that died in child birth you might to start feeling a connection with this family. And, since most religions believe in life after death, it implies that they are somehow watching over us. Some people say they can really feel the presence of those that have passed on. When you start to feel connected ancestrally, we might say you have the bug because you now understand how much fun and meaningful family history can be. For people that are LDS, it becomes a purpose to give those people the opportunity to have ordinances performed for them vicariously. People feel they are giving an invaluable gift.
Family Traditions
Some families certainly have more traditions than others. Do you know traditions that were passed down from your great great grandmother or grandfather? Many of these traditions are lost over time. That is why family history is so important. At the very least, it helps us realize and try to hold on to some of the good things that we sometimes lose over time.
You have inherited traditions in your culture whether you realize it or not. For example, you may have learned to be honest or to work hard. There are many implied traditions that are not formalized.
The important fact to consider is that some families are much better at preserving history than others. Families build a knowledgebase over time that can help their entire posterity. For example, in some families, each person in the family writes their own book to show what their life was like when they were young and to pass on their knowledge. Just think how much richer life will be with the added knowledge of all those that have passed before you. This is what family history is about. It can richly bless your posterity.
If you don’t have a lot of family history or traditions, start out by recording your own life and those around you. Your posterity will tend to follow your example and someone needs to start that tradition. It isn’t that difficult to do, it’s just a matter of deciding to do it. Sit down, once in a while, and write down the important lessons of life you are learning. Write in your journal and always keep taking pictures. They say those that plan their career in writing make over 10 times what non planners earn. I think posterity is probably similar. Those that plan and prepare for their posterity will be much more likely to see them prosper. Write things down, because you can’t possibly tell everyone what needs said. For one reason, you can’t live forever.
Genealogy Community
The genealogy community is a friendly one. Many people are searching for loved ones and others are performing a work that is deeply religious. In most cases, other people will gladly help you on your search. During the process, you are likely to encounter many of your relatives that you haven’t had much contact with over the years and, in many cases, you will make new friends. Why? Family history brings people together for the common good and you can feel one of the best parts of humanity; the human spirit.
Where to Go
If you can afford a $300.00 membership, ancestry dot com is a good starting place. I would start there. I would also use family search dot org which is a free site put out by the Mormons.
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