Emails can be notoriously misunderstood, due to lack of personal contact. I kind of thought the Professors "tut tut" was a cute remark and yet some took it the other way; and now we all understand each other better. Some genealogists are interested in records only and some like to add historical context and information to help bring the person alive. In this way, anything like the Constitution, the founding fathers, the history of countries, the culture of our country, etc, relates to genealogy. There is hardly a subject I can think of that really doesn't fit into genealogy- that is why I like it- it involves you in so much information, which fits me well. I love being a detective. I am happy to live in a country where we are free to do it. I was puzzled about why I could find my Scherrer ancestors in the city directories starting in 1847, but could not find them on one record until after 1860- reading a bit of German history, I discovered that they left during a revolution, and had the mind set of avoiding war ( the Civil War)- none of them became naturalized citizens until after the war and they kept a low profile. It was an lightbulb experience I had as I started trying to study the entire family. I feel that we are strengthening our families and thus our nation and its Constitution by doing family history work. I know it has changed my life so much that I will never be the same. I love all of the lists I am on, but have a bit project I have to get onto. I never knew, until I got on lists, that there was so much online info, as I am lucky to live near two outstanding libraries. God bless this country, and our brave ancestors whom we grow to love when we study their lives and sacrifices- and New York was certainly an important part of the founding of and growth of this country. Sue