What are we looking for when we are researching our ancestors or our DNA? Why do we want to write our life stories or record history of any kind? When I speak to people or watch shows about these topics I am always struck by the deep longing involved in the search.
Two shows have been very popular over the last several months. One in on NBC called, Who Do You Think You Are?, hosted by Lisa Kudrow of Friends fame. The other show is hosted by Henry Louis Gates, Jr., “Faces of America” is on PBS. Both delve into the history of celebrities. Faces of America explores the DNA connection in addition to straight genealogy.
The element of surprise is at play in both shows. A poet discovers her roots go back to Charlemagne, another finds a relative who was very close to being executed as a witch in the Salem trials. Others are not surprising. The genealogy is straightforward. But that genealogy goes far back. In each case the celebrity who discovers a past rich with history and DNA is moved by the experience. They are connected to history in new and extraordinary way.
Where do we fit in? It might be these new mobile life style and families scattered over the planet has us longing for a sense of community. We want to feel connected. We want to feel well grounded. If like me, a whole part of your history is missing you may feel a little lost in a big world. Is this just a tribe mentality? Or is there something deeper that is going on here?
When we leave the nest and go out into the world we bring our families with us. Whether that experience was good or bad it shapes us and defines how we approach the world. When we discover something about our past or family it adds a piece to a larger puzzle. We begin to see a whole picture and not just our own view of the world. It’s like having a treasure chest-each new discovery is added in.
What are we looking for when we go searching for our family history? What are longing for in our search? What are we hoping to discover?
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/facesofamerica/
http://www.nbc.com/who-do-you-think-you-are/