The study of genealogy leads us to many other fascinating studies;

The study of genealogy leads us to many other fascinating studies;

Among the subjects we dabble in includes but is not limited to:
history, geography, politics, computer science, photography, journalism, are just a few of the studies we are exposed to on a very regular basis-----

I am not an expert on any of these subjects for any other family history line except for mine.

I know my on-site computer websites based on my education and experience with computers, the equipment I have, the subscriptions I have sign up for etc.

I know a lot of general world history, a lot of American and English History, Some European history as it related to American or English History, Far less Asian history, and even less Mid-Eastern History except as it relates to Biblical times and Israel post 1945,

As I study mine or any of the other family histories I am involved in--- I learn the geography, politics, laws, culture, traditions of the time and place of the individual family I am researching.

I am learning alot about photography, restoring old photos, on-line photo shop like applications and storing of photos.

I am constantly trying to hone in my journalism skills.

I am learning a lot about legal documents, organizing data, medical diseases, cemeteries, and bureaucracy.

I enjoy open conversation and exchange of ideas on these subjects. With that said.... I invite my colleagues to communicate, comment, share, and engage me in like conversation.

A very nice thing happened to me the other day---- I received a private message regarding one of my posted blogs. The individual suggested I change a sentence to have correct noun/verb agreement, pointed out a few words I used in correctly, I wrote passed and meant past.

I am very grateful to that fellow genie blogger. It spoke volumes to me that they did indeed read my blog, thought well enough of it to want to make it better, and treated me as a colleague ..... Thank you special person..

I also enjoy sharing my experience and "genealogical tools" with others. I know not everyone has the time, equipment, access that I have been acquiring in my old age.....lol So I am enjoying sharing my education, experience to help others solve genealogy issues. Not as an expert on their family, their collective histories, but more of the how tos, what is available as resources/tools/access to write their own family history---- even as to include actually finding and showing documents, photos, grave markers, town histories, census, neighbors of those individuals families.

Who Do You Think You Are? shows excellent cues to how to lead someone to their history, not interrupt, pass judgement, or read into it more than there is-----

There were people in the program interchange that did show their "opinions" but every incident, every revealing, had several ways to interrupt it----allowing the "student of his own genealogy" absorb, process, and act upon his/her own discoveries as an individual. This observation of watching the individuals processing their discoveries is part of the fascination of this teaching people genealogy.

Seekers are given a box of puzzle pieces. Each piece of the puzzle is precious and unique.

You watch some clutch the data sheets to their hearts and smile as if they are hugging long lost friends.

You see some pull out the parts and immediately start building trees. Pulling extra parts from all over and making a bush instead of a well structured tree.

You see some tuck it away as though the looking at it is too painful to bear.

In each case; You realize your work is not done; a long road has just begun. So you wait, you listen, and you help your fellow traveler down the next bend in the road, because you know there is always another bend in the road.........