There aren’t too many people I can think of who can claim this past year as stellar. However, for research and genealogy, we were somehow able to progress even though the repositories had closed or limited their access. That being said, I thought I might share what this past year was like in my research world and some ideas for this year.
HOUSE HISTORIES: The year which started out slow, gained momentum towards mid-summer with house histories. All homes I was contracted to research were within the state of New Jersey and ranged in ages from the early 1700s to a more modern 1960s home. These were exciting projects, with one which resulted with the owner surprised to learn that the original builder was a significant individual connected to the origins of the town. Another project was conducted in order to have a house plaque produced for the owner’s house, even though it is not listed on any official register of historic homes. This project in particular provided an idea for working with historical societies. Local historical societies are one of the most underfunded entities which provide us with an understanding of our personal and local history. This year Legacy Roots began looking into the idea of donating to local historical societies when a resident contracts with us to perform a basic or extended house history. (More on this in the future.)
GENEALOGY BRICK-WALLS: Family historians appeared to take the time during the pandemic to work towards solving their brick-walls. One case in particular that was extremely gratifying was one which brought closure to my client. With a complicated upbringing, my client was met with a painful ancestral history. The research opened the door to more than a century of recorded serious family trials and tribulations personally affecting the descendants. Not only were the details expressed in documents, but the specifics graphically laid out in the newspapers. While I expected some surprise on my client’s part, they instead found solace in having obtained a greater understanding of why things were the way they were in their current personal lives. The emotional healing that they expressed was the greatest gift I received as a researcher this past year. Breaking down brick-walls continues to be something I look forward to in this New Year.
ADOPTEE RESOLUTIONS: Using my skills to bring healing makes a considerable difference in the time and effort that often goes into projects. Lately, due to the explosion of DNA matching, I have been receiving more requests for the discovery of birth parents. Last year, and now reaching into 2022, I have been given the privilege of assisting many individuals in learning who their birth parents are. What seems to be a driving force in most cases, is not to obtain anything from the birth families, but rather to understand their own heritage, to reclaim it, and to learn more about their own bloodline and the lives of those who came before them. The relief expressed by the adoptees is heartwarming. I am thankful to be able to continue to assist those seeking answers.
Looking back on these three areas of regularly conducted research, I find they are helpful in considering what should be continued, what new ideas should be implemented or tried, as well as seeing what changes need to be made, or what projects or services need to be eliminated. I hope that this encourages others to do the same, whether in the area of genealogy, house histories, or just life in general. Happy New Year!
[Photo: Trenton, New Jersey Cafe, 24 August 2021. Taken during a day of research]
