Perhaps it is understandable that genealogy . . . family research and history . . . and just having any interest in our heritage is considered boring.  The culprit for this . . . in my humble opinion . . . is history classes in school.  Think of this . . . how often are students expected to "memorize" dates?  This . . . at least for me . . . was . . . well . . . boring.  Why should I remember when this occurred or that battle was fought . . . or . . . okay . . . it is said . . . in our history books that Columbus "discovered" America in 1492 . . . right?  There is so much research that strongly suggests . . . Columbus did NOT discover America and do we really have proof/evidence that it was 1492 when his ships landed somewhere on America's side of the Atlantic?

Yes . . . as I get older and observe how history is being written . . . for events in my lifetime . . . it jades my opinion on the accuracy of the history that was written long ago.  But . . . isn't history more about events than dates?  While the duration of World War II is definitely significant and important . . . isn't it more important to know and understand about the war?  The bombing of Pearl Harbor was extremely significant . . . but was the fact that it occurred 7 December 1941 just as significant?  For me the answer is simple . . . no, the date doesn't compare to the actual event.  That is not to say the date is insignificant . . . just that it is not as . . . let me change words . . . important as what happened.

Confused??  Yeah . . . I got a wee bit "out there" and over-explained waaay too much!  Sorry, but allow me to reel myself in and get back to my point.  I suspect . . . being forced to "memorize" dates in time . . . dates from our history . . . causes many to become disinterested in history itself.  The truth is . . . not once today . . . this past week, month or year . . . was it necessary for me to know what occurred on 7 December 1941; however, the war that followed and the United States and our allies winning WWII is paramount in most U.S. citizens lives each and every day.

Researching our ancestry . . . learning about our past . . . knowing where we came from and the hardships our ancestors experienced is both interesting as well as amazing and extremely important.  Why?  If for no other reason . . . whether it is our heritage, our history or the history of our country . . . learning from past mistakes helps each of us to be better at whatever it is we do.  If nothing more . . . it saves time!

I fear so many of us . . . forget or ignore or simply have no interest in the lives our ancestors lived.  We do not appreciate the sacrifices and struggles of generations past.  Some years ago . . . it was late in the evening and I was driving east on Interstate 40 . . . crossing the Cumberland Plateau.  Suddenly it occurred to me how my ancestors had crossed the same area 200 years earlier, except they were headed west.  I began to compare my trip to their journey.  It was early Fall and the weather was relatively warm, I had the a/c on.  I was sitting in an extremely comfortable padded seat, driving on a smooth, paved highway, in a vehicle that had rubber tires, shock absorbers and springs . . . and traveling at speeds in excess of 85 - 90 mph.  My ancestors rode in a wagon or perhaps some walked, no temperature controlled, comfortable vehicle, no smooth, paved road . . . most likely not even a road and did they have a fear for their lives from attacks by other human beings or animals?  Yes, my drive was easy . . . but their struggles, their hardships . . . were made for what they hoped would be a better life.

Yes . . . I find genealogy . . . tracing my ancestry . . . climbing my family tree extremely interesting . . . not because of dates . . . but because of the stories  . . . the exercise in using my imagination and the amazement of the things they encountered and survived. 

Some of our research will cross from genre to genre if movies were made about how we became who we are.  So . . . there is something of interest for everyone!  Give genealogy a shot . . . learn about who you are . . . where you originated . . . and who knows . . . you may have a famous ancestor.

May I ask one favor?  If any of this made sense . . . or was of any interest . . . would you please leave a comment or just check one of the three boxes.  Thanks!