by Linda G. Hull

Created on: February 27, 2008   Last Updated: July 03, 2008

Family stories provide important clues about the family genealogy. Only further investigation will determine their validity, but without them, a researcher has no starting point. If you ever get the opportunity to sit down with an elderly relative, do it. In fact, take a notebook and pen or better yet, a video camera. It's an opportunity that may not come again.

The stories our grandparents tell form a unique perspective. They were there! While history books contain the facts, family stories interject a nuance or flavor that can't be matched. They remember the way things smelled, the noises, and the reactions of those around them. The emotion of the moment is forever captured on their hearts and in their minds. I became fascinated with family stories when my father-in-law began writing down his war stories from the Korean War and his childhood growing up in the Great Depression.

Important clues can be hidden amidst the myriad details of a well-worn story. For the researcher, comments about local geography can point to a location. A location can lead to new records and other sources of information. Names mentioned in passing can help to establish relationships. Details about transportation, occupations, traditions and customs offer exciting information about a particular era. Don't forget to remember your history lessons. I had difficulty researching my grandpa's arrival through Ellis Island until I realized that in the timeframe of his departure from Europe, the part of France where he came from was actually part of Germany. The ship's records were found and crucial information about my grandpa was discovered.

Sometimes family stories have been doctored to protect the guilty. Recording information can aid in uncovering the truth. Look for discrepancies with other accounts of the same story from other family members.

Even if genealogy isn't of interest, family stories are an incredible gift. The story teller is passing on a bit of history, essentially sharing one of life's incredible moments. Reliving it brings joy and maybe a smile of humor. Those who relive a particularly sorrowful moment may need a bit of comfort or a measure of absolution. The listener can be the giver of much needed compassion and understanding. My grandmother barely remembered her mother who passed away during the Spanish Flu epidemic. Oh how she treasured the stories her older siblings told her.

Family stories connect each member of the family, forming a unique bond that cannot be broken. Through the stories we find common ground. We begin to understand how we fit into the family and how our lives have been impacted by those who were before us. Their decisions certainly altered what could have been. Don't make the mistake I did of politely listening without understanding the significance of the information. Ask questions to clarify or draw out more details. You could be hearing information other family members might not know.

When a grandparent shares a family story, they are sharing a legacy that can be passed down to future generations. Over time the stories make take on a life of their own, as they are embellished and retold to make them more exciting. With a written version, it is easier to keep to the facts. The process of discovering your family heritage is like a treasure hunt. Just keep on following the clues.

We all think that our stories are trivial. Maybe we haven't accomplished anything spectacular, but what seems mundane to us may not be to following generations. Write down your own story, making sure you keep important documents to back up your family tale. Future generations will thank you!

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