What did you learn in genealogy today?

[LizO]

Researching family history has taught me so many things. My kids know better than to ask the question above as they could get a very long answer! Just wondering what the rest of you feel you have gained, in information, experience and wisdom from this activity.

[LizO]

In 25 words or less, I meant to add.
 

[Canterburynorth]

Hi Liz,

I only started my family history in July, I thought (foolishly) oh that will be easy put down a few names and dates and done. Of course I am now hopelessly addicted I want to know everything about everyone.  I have gained a great knowledge of my family, I have gained new friends and relatives whom I would never have met, which is wonderful, and everyday I find out something new I feel I have gained no matter how small, I love it, I also gained my rootschat friends  Not sure how I managed without them.

Merry Christmas

Leandra

[Canterburynorth]

oops sorry Liz,

Our posts must have crossed, missed that 25 words or less,

Leandra

[LizO]

Hey Leandra

No problem! It's great to hear how much you're enjoying the experience. At the library the other day a woman walking past my computer noticed I was doing a search on ancestry. "Oh, I decided to try that," she said. "I took out a subscription for a month but there was so much there, there was no way I could finish it!" I guess she just gave up after that, which seemed a shame.

It is hard to imagine at first just how many connections you can find. I think of that poem of Robert Frost -"two roads diverged in a yellow wood" about how one thing leads to another, endlessly. Genealogy's a bit like that for me.   

I added the word count because after my initial post I thought some people might take a deep breath and decide it would take far too long to tell it all and so it would be easier not to try.

LizO

[newbe_nz]

I started mine a few years ago after my uncle had done some of it  on my dads side of the family. Now it is my turn to give more.
My aunty on  mums side did some of our family but have found more on them as well. She does not like being corrected either

I love helping others out as well

It has been lovely to have rootschat friends too

Newbe

[LizO]

Hi Newbe

I can't help myself - one of your research names is SMITH in New Zealand. Same here! Do you suppose it's the same family (arrived Wellington 1870s)? 

It sure helps to have someone else's work to start from. My mother did a lot of research on her family when I was growing up, and told me lots about it, even when I wasn't that interested. She also had lots of letters saved over the years. I started on my husband's family without a lot of background, so it's been a very different story. I've learned a lot more New Zealand history, and about genealogy resources, and it's a very different situation now that when my mother had to write away and wait for the information.

LizO   

[newbe_nz]

Sorry not same family as I have since found out my great grandfather changs has family surname to SMITH from PURCELL after they arrived in 1902/03

Do not know the reason why

Newbe

[little meg]

In my searches and researches I have found a new interest in history in general.  I hated it at school.  Now I love to know about the history of a town, usually the town my ancestors came from.
I have learnt to be patient and impatient.
I have made so many new friends, many from Rootschat. 


But today .... learnt nothing. 

Margaret