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| An angel in the burial ground at Russell, Bay of Islands. Image BFA 2014 |
For the vast majority of the world's population a knowledge of the identity of forebears and the stories associated with their lives forms the scaffold for a healthy sense of identity. This recent article amused me principally because of the false assumptions on which it is based.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/life/80347102/what-youll-find-in-your-family-tree-might-shock-and-surprise-you
Not that the author is alone in those. His quotation from the Guardian merely perpetuates an inaccurate myth- that 'not for profit' or 'volunteer' equals an amateur filling in time. He also suffers from the Westerner's misconception that 'middle age' is a time-based tragedy rather than a resource-rich opportunity.
As one who began to explore family history in my twenties my experience was rather different. The men and women of all age groups involved in genealogy in the 1980's definitely perceived their role as pioneers in an age of opportunity. As a result, many of the databases now available on line were compiled from their patient hours of data retrieval, cross checking and indexing. Memorial transcriptions in particular have relied almost solely on those volunteers trekking out in groups to find, photograph and transcribe.
The advent of the internet brought a marriage made in heaven. At last the genealogists' drive to cooperate and connect acquired the perfect technological partner.
In many respects those cultural historians or 'family historians' were the vanguard of the share culture which characterises the Web today. So enjoy the instant access, check and double check the data - then share what you have, build connections and grow that legacy of knowledge for those who come after.
