Greetings:
Someday, someone will ask about their ancestors and their family history. I wish that when they do that, there is a written record that includes not just names and dates of significant events; but also some idea of who we were both as individuals and as families.
Currently, genealogists are fond of saying that a Family Tree without sources is Mythology. True. But I argue that we gain nothing from good record keeping without stories and images to tell us the lessons learned.
What follows is a transcript of electronic conversations with relatives as our ancestors’ roots are traced as far back as possible.
Ancestry conversations don’t take off until 2020, when my cousin Jack Gamache volunteers his wife Beth’s help. Beth and I will converse using email, and the result is this ebook, which she is the second most prominent contributor and co-author. You will “hear” from her shortly.
Thanks to technology, it is relatively easy to go back five generations to when our family reached the shores of America. What drove us to make the journey? We can only guess, and we do. Our sincere hope is that someday the situation in Europe that prompted our immigration will be revealed. To identify and meet relatives from “across the pond” is something we wish for our children.
What is generally missing are life stories. Beth and I captured a few, added images, and pray that others will pick up where we left off.
Dr. John Paul Elcik, IV
Email: john@mycousins.org
Email:
Greetings,
No one, not even an academic, needs to read this like a book. Scan the message headings until something looks interesting, and then begin reading. Move on as you feel the urge to do so. There are information and nuggets of wisdom everywhere. We found both in the experience, and so can you.
Beth (Purinton) Gamache
Email: beth@mycousins.org