Who lives who dies who tells your story – Hamilton
Leaving a Legacy by telling your story
My Story
I was named after my paternal grandmother, Helen Angela. I get a lot of my features from her. She was very petite but she was a firecracker. She died when I was in the 3rd gradeI remember that day well because it was the first day of school and my maternal grandmother, Martha, aka Nana, aka, Aunt Nell or Sissy, picked us up from school that day. I do have earlier memories but that one in particular sticks out.
I have always been drawn to the adults in my life. During family reunions and holiday gatherings I longed to be a part of the adult table to hear their stories and to know what they were talking about. Those that know me might say I’m an old soul.
Recenlty when I was back home for my Nana’s funeral we stopped by the “farm”. The farm is the original homestead where my great-great grandparents settled in the late 1870’s. There was an inexplicable pull from the land and that space. I wish I had longer to linger there.
It was more than the memories of summers or hunting seasons spent there. It was a longing to connect and find the stories that are there.
Where to Start?
Leaving a legacy and telling your story is more than just genealogy research. Genealogy is one aspect of tracing your family history but how exactly do you get started?
It’s super simple. Start with you!
Answer the following questions about yourself. Write them down in a journal or notebook. This will give you a good starting point to begin any research you do.
What is your full name, and why were you given that name?
When and where were you born?
What are your earliest memories from childhood?
What do you know about your parents’ and grandparents’ origins?
Did your family have any traditions or customs that were passed down?
These questions are only the beginning. I have developed a Family History and Storytelling Starter Guide with more questions to dig deeper into your story. You can get your Free copy by signing up to my newsletter below.
My grandmother did genealogy research for over 40 years. She did it old school before so many records were digitized and I am lucky to have that foundation but there is so much history and so many stories that I don’t know, especially on my paternal side. That is what genealogy and family history is. It’s a never-ending way to find those stories, connect the dots, and preserve them for generations. I want to uncover and share these stories as a legacy to my family, and my story.
So that is my purpose here. Join me as I discover those stories and hopefully inspire you to find yours too.
Don’t Forget to Get your own Family History and Storytelling Starter Guide so that you can discover your own story. Sign up for our newsletter here to stay up to date with new stories, recipes, and more.
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