Sat 8/7/2020 6:44 PM
To: Mark Elcik <marklcheck@yahoo.com>; Nancy Kashmer <lanaka@comcast.net>; Beth Gamache <gamachebeth83@gmail.com>; Janet Lucas <janw@maine.rr.com>; Rebecca Davis <rkashmerdavis@gmail.com>; Jeffrey Lee Elcik <jeff@anyport.com>; Pam Elcik <pamelcik@gmail.com>; J.P. Elcik <elcikjp@yahoo.com>; Michelle Elcik <mkelcik@yahoo.com>; James Stacy Elcik <jselcik@hotmail.com>
Subject: Why Ancestry Research?
Cousins, etc.,
I was sharing with Becky that I think a picture of the cover of the “Birds” book with the Kashmer farm illustrations and the back story would make a great addition to the tree. Becky’s response was perfect, “Could be a nice little fun fact to include… that isn’t the normal information included that I am used to seeing in family history.”
She is 110% correct. I observe that 80% or more of family trees limit themselves to sources and gravesite photos. Any photo at all is a newer concept as Genealogist’s focus has been on getting us amateurs to add citations to our family trees. The classic line has been that “Trees without sources are mythology.”
I think that what gets included in family trees needs to change dramatically. The purpose for me is to tell a story and preserve history. And I see changes taking place. Ancestry.com, for example, has made it easier to link to websites. Thus, I’m attaching links to Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter. Pinterest, FindaGrave.com, and Obituaries to individuals in my tree.
I want us to educate others to preserve family history rather than building family trees. Don’t you think that history recorded as it happens is more accurate? I’m including unconventional items as “artifacts” in my version of the family tree. I use images of business cards, photos of homes, artwork, music, poems, quotes, stories I’ve written, etc. And I’m adding special events: birthday parties, anniversaries, graduations, promotions, travel, etc.
I have another goal in mind. It is even more ambitious. I want Facebook to modify its software. Currently, it myopically focuses on “friends” and is not “family” friendly. With a few minor adjustments, they could easily do both. As a former software builder, I have made this suggestion to them. Hopefully, they will listen. If not now, I’m sure someone will, someday.
We get so wrapped up in daily living that keeping up with what is happening with our extended family is difficult at best. And capturing the memories gets lost if the memories never get made.
Love to all,
John, IV
