Yeah, I know that sounds pretty gruesome but it actually isn't. Really. I promise I am not using a shovel or a backhoe. Really.
My mother-in-law's side of the family is having a reunion in Boulder, Colorado this July and in between running thither and yon as the kids taxi driver (and ATM machine) I have been trying to update (in my copious amounts of free time[heavy on the sarcasm]) the genealogy that I had done for her so that I can share it at the family reunion. My MIL passed away a couple of years ago so I can not ask her all the things I now wish I had. Sigh.
So if the posts are a little light lately, you now know what I am up to. Believe me when I say that there are no zombies or coffins involved. Only a family mystery or two to solve...
If you have seen the TV show, "Who do you think you are?" I have got to tell you that it is NOT as easy as they make it look. One day, when I win the lottery, I will have professionals do this for me, but until that happy day I guess I will have to be the one to do all the dusty, frustrating and sometimes surprising duty.
QOTD: "I trace my family history so I will know who to blame." ~ unknown
My aunt worked on the genealogy for my dad's side of the family and it took her a good amount of time. One of my other aunt's is working on my mom's side and that one is even more convoluted...it has taken her some considerable work. I love knowing all that stuff :-} Even the murky bits.
ReplyDeleteLet me know if you have any free time, I'll come up to Boulder! (My mom digs up dead relatives too, and I think I love some of them more than living ones.)
ReplyDeleteHeh! Lemonstand, I like your QOTD!
ReplyDeleteIt reminds me of what my Grandmother once said. She always called "the good old days," "The Bad Old Days! I remember them, and there wasn't anything good about them!" (Honestly, she was a very frank, no-nonsense woman, but I loved her anyway).
For some reason, the subject of our family heritage came up. She said, "I don't know where we came from, and I don't care to know! For some reason they didn't like it there, and moved here. So I probably wouldn't like it either!"
Like I said, she was kinda no-nonsense about things...
Honestly, I think that was my favorite QOTD EVER!
ReplyDeleteMy grandmother passed away when I was in high school, and today there are so many questions that I wish (and my mom wishes too) that we would have asked her. My grandfather followed several years after and by then dementia had really taken his mind. It's hard, but a good lesson, I know that it's made me encourage my dh to ask all the questions he can of his grandparents who are still with us.
ReplyDeleteOh, and have a great time!
Calistalee - you really think you know someone until you start to research them. I've been finding out odd bits and pieces about my father that I didn't know. I really wish I could have asked him about it before he died.
ReplyDeleteABW - "My mom digs up dead relatives too, and I think I love some of them more than living ones." That really made me laugh! It is sad but true in my family as well. (And I'll be staying down in your neck of the woods and commuting so we will definitely have to get together!
Andy - I think I would have really liked your Grandmother too. She's really my kind of person!
Meleah - that can't possibly be the best quote ever... But then again, I would never be able to choose only one...
Ellen - Your best bet is to put a tape/digital recorder on a table with the family sitting around it and just start talking about everyone's memories of childhood, family members and friends. Just make sure to have everyone say their names so that you can pick out different voices later... oh and don't forget to say the date and location of the get together. Believe me, having an audio of my MIL for her kids and grandkids to listen to has been truly special. Especially just after we lost her to cancer. Don't wait. You never know what tomorrow brings and life is too short.