HOW TO HANDLE GENEALOGY UNPLEASANTRIES

Unpleasant, even devastating events will turn up in nearly every family. Do you have any examples from your own life where facing the truth has helped someone heal? If so, how might this apply to an experience you might find in your genealogy research?

The Smith's were proud of their family tradition. Their ancestors had come to America on the Mayflower. Their line had included Senators, Pastors, and Wall Street wizards.

Now they decided to compile a family history, a legacy for the children. They hired a fine author. Only one problem arose: how to handle that great-uncle who was executed in the electric chair. But the author said not to worry, he could handle that section of history tactfully.

When the book appeared, the family turned to the section on Uncle George. There, they read, "George Smith occupied a chair of applied electronics at an important government institution, was attached to his position by the strongest of ties. His death came as a real shock."

Based on information in the syllabus, what is the value of belonging to your own particular family unit, even if they are not the most noteworthy, well-known, or written about?  Is there any value in being honest, hardworking, and giving?

How can you bring this information out in your family history? Do you have an interest in locating information of this nature as well as birth, marriage, and death dates and places?

Are you interested in joining others who are researching similar ethnic groups, life-event groups (such as Daughters of the American Revolution, the Order of the Cincinnati, Children of the Confederation, etc.)?

There are several ways of showing appreciation for those who give freely of their materials for both current and future genealogists. This includes: 

Can you think of other ways you might be able to show appreciation for the collections put together and preserved by others?