52 Weeks To Better Genealogy Week 3 Assess Yourself

52 Weeks To Better Genealogy - Week 3 - Assess Yourself!

I am very fortunate to have many letters and family stories written by previous ancestors. I have always been so grateful for these glimpses in the peoples lives. Also I was a letter writer at a young age. My grandparents encouraged me to write by writing me in return each time I posted them a letter.

I was always aware of trying to record my life, my work, my family, my spiritual growth, my children, my grandchildren etc. When my kids were young and they would get sad, mad or just plain bored. I would encourage them to write. I saved many of their writings. I have binders full of my writings.

When Tony and I attended marriage encounters I saved all those notebooks. I went through a crisis in 2001 and it was very difficult for me. I could not speak the words, I could not legibly hand write my grief. But I did email and received email. I saved all those emails. I always thought if I could get past the experience that those emails would demonstrate and help others through the grieving process.

Every time I started a new job, moved, or had some profound changing experience I would always start a new chapter.

I also have unfinished novels in my papers. Stories that developed over the years.

Work publications, awards, education certificates and samples of my work are also among those papers. Photos of rooms of my house that I would decorate are included. and of course mountains of photos ----

So I continue to record my life. It is interesting to review my past and my growth.

I save all correspondences of my grandchildren. They are precious. I also encourage my grandchildren to write to me by returning each post with a letter. This habit of writing to my grandparents continued throughout their entire lives. There is something very healing and loving having a letter writing relationship with grandparents. I have several friends that I email regularly. But we often hand write to each other-- because although email is quicker and easier. There is just something special about receiving a snail mail in your mailbox from someone you love.

Of course if you look for documentation, and try to piece my life together you could come up with a series of records and deeds, but I dare say you will not see me.

Reading letters from my ancestors about their everyday lives and believes and relationships speaks far more to me than all the land deeds, birth certificates, Bible records ever could.