got this from another list I am on and found it worth sharing....it really says alot > Written by Tom Dunn > > The Story Tellers....we are the chosen..or why I am so fascinated > ("obsessed") with Genealogy. > > My feelings are in each family there is one who seems called to find the > ancestors. To put flesh on their bones and make them live again, to tell the > family story and to feel that somehow they know and approve. > > To me doing genealogy is not a cold gathering of facts but, instead, > breathing life into all who have gone before. We are the story tellers of the > tribe. All tribes have one. We have been called as it were by our genes. > Those who have gone before cry out to us: Tell our story. So, we do. > > In finding them, we somehow find ourselves. How many graves have I stood > before now and cried? I have lost count. How many times have I told the > ancestors you > have a wonderful family you would be proud of us? How many times have I > walked up to a grave and felt somehow there was love there for me? I cannot > say. > > It goes beyond just documenting facts. It goes to who am I and why do I do > the things I do? > > It goes to seeing a cemetery about to be lost forever o weeds and > indifference and saying I can't let this happen. The bones here are bones of > my bone and flesh of my flesh. It goes to doing something about it. > > It goes to pride in what our ancestors were able to accomplish. How they > contributed to what we are today. > > It goes to respecting their hardships and losses, their never giving in or > giving up, their resoluteness to go on and build a life for their family. > > It goes to deep pride that they fought to make and keep us a Nation. It goes > to a deep and immense understanding that they were doing it for us. That we > might be born who we are. That we might remember them. So we do. > > With love and caring and scribing each fact of their existence, because we > are them and they are us. > > So, as a scribe called I tell the story of my family. It is up to that one > called in the next generation to answer the call and take their place in the > long line of family storytellers. > > That, is why I do my family genealogy, and that is what calls those young and > old to step up and put flesh on the bones. -- Climbing my family tree, one branch at a time. researching Scott, Marler, Cook, Watson, Goodin, Goforth, Qualls and others DSM & REM __________________________________________________________________ Your favorite stores, helpful shopping tools and great gift ideas. Experience the convenience of buying online with [email protected]! http://shopnow.netscape.com/ Get your own FREE, personal Netscape Mail account today at http://webmail.netscape.com/