![We are the storytellers of the tribe. All tribes have one. We have
been called as it were by our genes. Those who have gone before cry
out to us: Tell our story. So, we do. In finding them, we somehow
find ourselves.](clipart_ancient_024.gif)
courtsey: "Wynona Gordon" <
wynona@gordons.org>
Monday, July 15, 2002 20:37
I received this over the Internet from a genealogist friend of mine. Enjoy.
Wynona Gordon
These few lines, sent to me by a correspondent, express well the
mentality of a genealogist.
"In each family there is one who seems called to find the ancestors.
To put flesh on their bones and make them live again. To tell the
family story and to feel that somehow they know and approve. To me,
doing genealogy is not a cold gathering of facts but, instead,
breathing life into all who have gone before.
We are the storytellers of the tribe. All tribes have one. We have
been called as it were by our genes. Those who have gone before cry
out to us: Tell our story. So, we do. In finding them, we somehow
find ourselves.
How many graves have I stood before now and cried? I have lost
count. How many times have I told the ancestors you have a wonderful
family you would be proud of us?
How many times have I walked up to a grave and felt somehow there
was love there for me? I cannot say.
It goes beyond just documenting facts. It goes to who am I and why
do I do the things I do? It goes to seeing a cemetery about to be
lost forever to weeds and indifference and saying I can't let this
happen.
The bones here are bones of my bone and flesh of my flesh. It goes
to doing something about it. It goes to pride in what our ancestors
were able to accomplish. How they contributed to what we are today.
It goes to respecting their hardships and losses, their never giving
in or giving up, their resoluteness to go on and build a life for
their family.
It goes to deep pride that they fought to make and keep us free. It
goes to a deep and immense understanding that they were doing it for
us.
That we might be born who we are. That we might remember them. So we
do. With love and caring and scribing each fact of their existence,
because we are them and they are us.
I tell the story of my family. It is up to that one called in the
next generation to answer the call and take their place in the long
line of family storytellers.
That, is why I do my family genealogy, and that is what calls those
young and old to step up and put flesh on the bones.
( Unknown Author )"