I think I spend a lot of time thinking about my ancestors, where to find them, and more information about them. Do you, too? I think there are relatively few of the world's people who focus on genealogy like some of us do, but every once in a while I imagine that everyone else is looking for their ancestors as enthusiastically and energetically as I am.
Those thoughts were rolling around in my mind this morning when I suddenly realized that there is probably no one else on earth who is trying to find my Henry Carl Meinzen. Probably not another single soul. Unless that soul is looking for collateral lines. Henry had a brother named Fred, and a father named Carl - but if no one is looking for them and their families, they won't be looking for my Henry, either.
It's important to me that others look for my great-grandfather because if they are, they might help me find his father and mother.
One of the sad realities of life is that not everyone on the planet is interested in genealogy and family history.
I'll be patient. Sometime in the near or distant future, somewhere in local or far off lands, more information about Henry and his family of birth will surface. I just know it.
"And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to the fathers...." Malachi 4:6
Well, we can always hope. I am always bothered by the suspicion that there is someone else out there searching for some of the same people I am, but they don't know how or don't want to talk to other researchers. And there have been so many times when a breakthrough has been achieved when I put my "2" together with someone else's "2" to get 4.
ReplyDeleteGreta, you know what's gonna happen when I finally find the next step back in Henry's history? My post is going to be a huge, huge happy dance post!
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean about people not wanting to talk/share. In some respects I think many family historians/genealogists are very private about their information. I don't know if it's because they spent time and money on their research and they don't want to give it away; or perhaps because going public with your family is like putting dirty laundry on the line; or maybe it's just a privacy issue. I know one lady who doesn't want to share because of the time and money she's invested. Sad.
I've been very blessed to find several cousins I didn't know existed who also did genealogy who shared everything with me. Of course, being me, I felt like I had to confirm the information myself.
Okay, I'm going to just keep hoping - for both you and me.
Nancy, I had an ancestor like that - my great grandmother Hulda Haun Mitchell. I figured no one was looking for her either. She had died young leaving a young family behind. Imagine my surprise when a letter arrived in the mail from a descendant of one of Hulda's siblings. He had been working for 3 years to identify the family and all the descendants of Hulda's parents. Hulda was the last one he was working on because she was the hardest due to her early death. It does happen!! We have had a great time collaborating and sharing pictures, etc.
ReplyDeleteMichelle, I'm so glad to hear about Hulda! It gives me reason to continue to hope. From somewhere, perhaps Germany, one of Henry's great-nieces or -nephews may turn up yet! Thank you so much for sharing your experience with me!
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