You have to be brave to search your genealogy.
Be aware that if you look into your family’s past, there is a possibility you may find some information that you don’t expect.
“Every family has a skeleton,” said Donna Edwards-Jordan, a genealogist from North Huntingdon. “Everybody’s gene pool could use a little chlorine from time to time. Some might find something awful and others might find something mildly embarrassing. Nobody is immune. It takes courage to face this stuff.”
Lots and lots of people are working up this courage to take a deep dive into their past. Genealogy is often regarded as the second most popular hobby behind gardening.
People have been tracing their family trees for many years, but with technology, there can be a wider reach. Digital information can be retrieved from newspapers, websites geared toward this research, historical societies, genealogy clubs and organizations, and libraries.
Surrounding yourself with like- minded people is a positive when searching family history, said Ray Jones of Etna, a University of Pittsburgh professor and facilitator of the DNA special interest group for North Hills Genealogists.
Having others around you can help with resources and put you on a path to finding the information you are seeking. But be prepared for information you might not want to know.
“The risk is that there might be something that people in your family haven’t talked about,” said Jones, who has taught genealogy classes at Pitt. “Or sometimes what you find doesn’t match up with the version you have been told.”
For example, Edwards-Jordan said, you might discover your great-grandfather was not a war hero or you are not related to royalty or someone rich and famous.
Or you think you are 100% Italian, but you aren’t.
When doing this research, do it with an open mind, Edwards-Jordan said. Begin with yourself and work backward.
“Each one of us has a lot of stuff in our head, unique things we know and have done and experienced,” she said. “These are things not found in history books.”
When you Google your name, you will probably find other people with the same one, especially if it’s a common name.
Record birth dates, marriage dates, death dates, places of residence, occupations and religion. Find out when a relative came to this country and from where.
“Talk with older relatives and write down what they say because they are living history and have information you won’t find other places,” said Edwards- Jordan. “The oral history of relatives is a window to the past and when that person dies, the window closes and the light goes out and you can’t get that perspective anymore.”
She cautions to not believe everything you find online. And do not assume you can do it entirely online, because not everything you need will be there. It is important to work with local historical societies and libraries that have archives and records that aren’t online. Take classes on the subject.
“I grew up in a very history-conscious family,” said Edwards-Jordan, who has been doing this research for close to 30 years. “My parents taught me the history of both sides of the family, and I listened to my grandparents’ stories. I learned so much.”
From this research can come powerful family reunions, but sometimes, people never want some information to be revealed.
“Science guarantees you a match, but it does not guarantee you a relationship,” said Jones, who has been doing genealogy since 2012. “You have to respect people’s wishes. It can be overwhelming at times. I know people can get discouraged.”
One of the first pieces of information he found took nearly a year. It was his great-grandfather’s death record. It intrigued him to find more.
“Some people do it once and find the one thing they were in search of and others want to study so many things it takes longer,” he said. “Someone might want to find a birth parent while others want to do advanced research. Don’t leave any stones unturned and don’t give up.”
