Before My Time: The Soundtrack

I like to listen to music when I’m working. While working on my family tree, I’ve come across a few songs that speak directly to genealogy, family or memories. So, I present to you the amateur genealogist’s play list.

1. Before My Time - Johnny Cash
2. Who I Am – Jessica Andrews
3. Grandpa (Tell Me ‘Bout The Good Ole Days) – The Judds
4. Things We’ve Handed Down – Marc Cohn
5. Magic Moments – Perry Como
6. We Are Family – Sister Sledge
7. Walk of Life – Dire Straits
8. Young At Heart – Jimmy Durante
9. Once In A Lifetime – Talking Heads
   

I’m open to suggestions to add to this list. Happy listening.

Norman Rockwell’s Family Tree

I came across this painting by one of my favorite artists, Norman Rockwell. It isn’t his literal family tree. It’s more America’s family tree. I love it especially because it includes pirates and Civil War soldiers. I think everyone hopes or wishes their family tree was this colorful.

Pruning the Family Tree

Genealogy is a stop-n-go hobby. One day it will take up too much of your time, then you’ll go months without even thinking about it. Little things can disturb the hibernation of one’s inner genealogist: a call from a seldom-heard-from relative, a PBS documentary, a newly discovered photograph, or perhaps an email from a possible distant relative and fellow amateur genealogist. That’s what happened to me recently…well…almost.

Since posting my family tree online, I’m occasionally contacted by previously unknown family members, which was the case the other day. Unfortunately, this email was quickly followed by another stating that the sender discovered that we were, in fact, not related and that a major branch of my tree, the one he initially thought he belonged to, was incorrect. He went on to explain to me that my line and his had long been thought to be the same but that recent DNA testing had proven them to be separate.

And so, I must now delete many people from my tree and begin searching for and adding the correct brood. Stupid DNA.

Revera's 90th

I love my in-law family. Not many people can say that. I feel just as close to them as my blood relations. So, whenever they have something to celebrate, I celebrate with them.

Last month, my wife’s dear, sweet grandmother, Revera, turned 90 years old. She had family come from California, Florida, Pennsylvania, Arkansas, Indiana and elsewhere to help her celebrate. Because they’re so spread out, it’s rare that this family gets together for a reunion. It was great seeing everyone together and we’re thankful it was for a happy occasion and not for a funeral.

Because her birthday fell on a Sunday and because church has always been very important to her, we all went with “Grandma B” to her little Nazarene church. We more than doubled their average attendance that day. The service was specially tailored to her. We sang her favorite hymns and paid special recognition to her. At the end of the service, she was presented with an official document from the Tennessee State House of Representatives recognizing her and congratulating her on her birthday. Then a short biographical video was shown (courtesy of yours truly). After the service, we all enjoyed barbeque, chicken and birthday cake in the fellowship hall.

Sunday wasn’t the only celebration. The whole weekend was filled with fun and family. Most of the time, we gathered at Uncle Larry’s garage which is more like a club house. It was never long before everyone was gathered around Larry’s player piano. Like a turn-of-the-century karaoke bar, each of us took turns pumping the peddles, while everyone else belted out old tunes of yester-year.
Genealogy isn’t always about the past. It can also be about the present. There were 4 generations present at this family gathering. Grandma B has gotten to know more than a dozen great-grandchildren and they got to know her. That and the memory of Revera’s 90th birthday was a great present for us all.