Is genealogy in the genes?

[Pinetree]

I have come into contact with lots of lovely people through this hobby - including of course the fabulous Rootschatters 

For some of my lines of research I have met several people researching the same family whilst for others I have have not made a single contact.

It leaves me wondering whether the genealogy bug is in the genes and is passed down some lines but not others 

Pinetree

[Mumsie2131]

A very interesting point.  The cousins on my Father's side of the family plus one other contact are interested in everything i do but my 1 remaining cousin on my mother's side of the family has no interest at all - or her children - not sure about her grandchildren not had contact with them recently.
That's just the near relations I have found a few more distant ones on quite a few lines.

[cathaldus]

The advent of the P.C. and laptop and the interest shown by the TV,  led I suppose to the commercial interest that is Ancestry and to RootsChat etc.etc.
Researching one's family history,  is certainly easier now and those people who take it up are in effect making the fullest use of the power of their P.C.
However,  beware,  it is addictive!!

[lilirose03]

I've had the same experience.

On my father's direct line I've not found a single other researcher, even though every generation had very large families and I know there must be plenty of descendants. 

On my mother's direct line I've made contact with a number of descendants all researching the same family line back.

And on my maternal great-grandmother's line I have found more family history enthusiast descendants than you can shake a stick at 

[simonwpb]

My experience is that most of my family is not that interested. I must be the genetic anomaly?

[Cas (stallc)]

Interesting thread.

As mentioned have large families in my tree and not any concact from what must be many decendants.  On the other hand have had many contacts from one or two lines that are not that huge, which could give weight to the heading question.  'Is geneology in the genes'

Makes you think.   

Cas

[Duck]

An interesting thread, on my paternal direct line I have not come in contact with anyone, on my maternal line I came in contact with a long lost uncle, which was nice. On the OHs side everyone seems to be at it, I've made contact with people all over the world. Just wish she would show more of an interest, perhaps genealogy misses the odd generation.

Simon

[Springbok]

With some lines I get almost too many contacts,back to the 1500's, forward to the present day. With  others just a couple of us  are all struggling to get back beyond 1800.and forward beyond 1900, despite having other names who should have descendants

it appears then that genes for research (or family interest) do come down through some families and not others.

Mind you it is more exciting when at last you take a chance and order a birth or marriage cert. after 1915,and  it is correct.

Spring

[Elizabeth Revel]

Perhaps the why of genealogy is as pertinent as the who. It seems that often it is the emigrant, the adoptee or a survivor of a diminishing dynasty who wishes to know from whence they came.

Beth