Grandparents – How Many Can You Name?

Y’all know by now that I love doing genealogy. By no means am I a professional genealogist, but I have done some training with the DAR and I have done years of my own research. It seems that as our country grows older, the younger generations simply don’t care about their pasts and their ancestors.

This past week, I read an article in the Deseret News, an entity of the LDS, which told of shocking statistics. I’m not LDS, but I do trust and get genealogical information from their sites.

This article cited a recent poll which stated that 34 percent of us right here in the United States can’t trace our family any further back than our grandparents. What? This was a staggering number to me. Now get this, that same poll said that only 21 percent of us can name even one great-grandparent. Okay, it gets worse. One-third can’t name all four of their grandparents. So, so sad.

Oh, I get that we’ve become a society in which multiple sexual partners is the norm, and knowing may not be possible. I also understand that many children today are given up by parents for one reason or another, often to be raised by grandparents or other family members. Many are given up for adoption and become blessings for those who now call them theirs. So many things can happen. But many people still have that innate desire to know, who am I, whether in their original family unit or not.

THE SEARCH FOR YOUR ROOTS BEGINS HERE

With information so readily available, why wouldn’t one want to know his or her roots? DNA tests are available for a minimal cost, and many Facebook genealogy sites, such as the family one to which I belong, offer free testing for those who can’t afford it. The testing sites also put their test kits on sale multiple times during the year. You only need to log on and search for those dates. But most information, other than just the basics, regarding DNA is way above my head, so I’m sticking with finding records.

When you begin your research, you always begin with you. Always. First, find your birth certificate. If you can’t find one, or yours has been lost, the state in which you were born can issue you a new one. If it costs anything, it won’t be much. No more than the price of a decent cup of coffee or two.

If you’re of a certain age, you will find yourself in a census record. The first one I am in was just released on April 1, 2022. What a thrill to see that. Daddy and Mama, Sissy, and little me! I was practically a newborn. But there I was. This was the 1950 census.

You will have to wait 72 years after your birth year for the first census you are in to be released. So, now you know my age. Hey, it took a lot of living and mistakes, and forgiveness, prayer, redemption, gray hairs, and wrinkles to get to this age! Thank you, Lord!

FREE SITES

Next, find a good genealogy site. I’ve used Ancestry for years, but it has gotten very expensive. There are free sites such as Family Search, Find a Grave, US GenWeb Project, Rootsweb, Cyndi’s List, and others. Just Google and find the one that seems right for you. Also, Ancestry offers a two-week free trial a couple of times a year. Jump on that and search like crazy!

When looking for your parents, start with birth certificates for each and then, for their marriage certificates. You will do the same for grandparents and great-grands and on up your line. Don’t be dismayed if you can only name a handful of great-greats. By the time you get to that level, you’re seeking 16 people. By the time you get to your 4-times great-grands, you are looking for 64 people. Remember, the number doubles with each generation.

AN ADDICTIVE HOBBY

Let me warn you, once you undertake this journey, you will likely become hooked. You will be up until the wee hours looking for that elusive ancestor. And it is very addictive. Ask my hubby.

For years, I tried to get him to join me on the quest for his family members. Last year, he finally decided to give it a go. Now, there’s no stopping him. He loves finding that last little bit of missing information. And let’s not forget all the new cousins he’s found. He loves it!

If you decide to undertake this journey and you can’t find someone, let me know and I’ll do a quick Ancestry search for you. It normally takes just a few minutes as long as you give me good information, like full name, date of birth, and place of birth. Parents, if you have their names, and any other information that will make the search easier.

I hope you not only know your grandparents, but I also hope you know stories about them. They are treasures. The legacy they left behind.

Let me warn you, what you find may not be to your liking. Oftentimes we find truths that have been long-buried by generations that came before us. Just know that they were all human with human foibles. Please extend them grace.

I’ve had to do that more than once. They are my ancestors no matter who they are or from whence they came, or what they did. I honor and love every single one of them. I pray the same for you.

NEVER FORGET THIS!

The most important thing for you to remember is this: when you become a Christian, you become a member of the family of God. Through Christ, you are now chosen, accepted, forgiven, redeemed, holy, righteous, sealed, and loved beyond measure. Read Ephesians 1:3-14. If you’re not a part of this family, but you’d like to be, please contact me.

Blessings, y’all!

 

What a precious family! We sang together. Do you all? My beloved Grandpa was a leader in the Sacred Harp Music community. My Grandmother taught my Daddy to sing. Such a legacy.