Live Healthy Live Well

Each year, I find myself becoming more curious about my ancestry.  Who shaped me in to the person I am today? Some relatives were living when I was born, others I only know through the stories, and yet, each person has a part in who I am.  There are many websites available to search for ancestors, but starting with the National Archives  or USA.gov is a great place to begin. On these sites, you can access historical and government records as well as information on how to begin your search.   Local genealogy societies are also a wonderful source of information.

The internet can be a wonderful place to search for information, but the best resources are the people who you are related to that are still living. The UCLA Library Center for Oral History offers many suggestions for questions that can help you record your family’s history.

Yesterday was Memorial Day. Memorial Day was first celebrated on May 30, 1868 at Arlington National Cemetery and was first known as Decoration Day, as flowers were placed the graves of those who died in battle. Throughout America, many parades and ceremonies took place to honor those who died in battle for our country.  By learning our history, these days become more personal to each of our family members.

When I visited the memorials in Washington D.C., I found the names of distant relatives.  I cannot help but wonder about them.  If their stories could be heard, what would they tell me about how they lived and loved? For many of us, we can read our ancestors’ stories because of family documents or because their stories are told in a history book.  The heroism of these individuals leaves me in awe as I reflect on the selflessness that each man or woman offered to me and to you.  These men and women were family to someone.  America is the land of the free because of the sacrifice and service of those who died while serving in our Armed Forces.  To those men and women: we honor you, we remember you, and we offer our humblest thanks for your life.

There are places where living veterans can share their stories so that we never forget.  One such place is through the Library of Congress’ Veteran’s History Project. Sponsored by AARP and the United States Congress, “The Veterans History Project of the American Folklife Center collects, preserves, and makes accessible the personal accounts of American war veterans so that future generations may hear directly from veterans and better understand the realities of war.”  If you know a veteran, please help them share their story with others.

Life is one that knowing who came before you can help to shape who you are and also who you become.  If you haven’t taken the time to learn your story, through the stories of your relatives, I encourage you to start today.  May the past connect you with a sense of awe and wonder.

Written By:  Jami Dellifield, Ohio State University, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, Hardin County

Reviewed By: Joanna Fifner, Ohio State University, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, Medina County

Resources:

National Archives, The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration

USA.gov, Official Website of the U.S. Government

UCLA Library for Oral History, http://oralhistory.library.ucla.edu/familyHistory.html

The Library of Congress

Photos:

https://pixabay.com/en/vintage-covered-wagon-family-1592014/

https://pixabay.com/en/family-tree-family-ancestors-tree-297812/