In the past 10 years, genealogy has become a wildly popular pastime. Family history has made such a mark on TV with shows like “Finding Your Roots,” “Genealogy Roadshow” and “Who Do You Think You Are” that genealogy is officially its own TV genre. Let’s just say that this genie’s wish has been granted.
Since becoming involved with the Niagara County Genealogical Society, I’m often asked the same questions. Why do we still need local genealogical societies when so many records are available online? Why did I decide to join a local genealogical society, let alone become so involved? Why join if your family has no connection to the area you presently live in? and maybe most often, why can’t I find my family in an hour or less? (No fun in that, people!)
My answer is always the same. My grandparents immigrated to this country, so my roots are still taking hold, one might say, meaning my family records are scarce within the United States. So, when a friend asked me to attend a local society program, I was skeptical. If I have access to almost everything on the internet, what do I need with a local society? What I found was a group of passionate family history researchers eager to help and share their experiences. Little did I know that an hour-long meeting could make such an impact on my life as a genealogist. How, you ask?
Whether you realize it or not, genealogists each have a significant skill or area of expertise and what I find over and over is that we want to help each other and are more than willing to share what we know. So much so that as you leave a meeting, small groups sometimes form around cars as conversations continue. In these post-meeting mini meetings (is that a thing?), I learn more about subjects that I thought I had already aced.
Just as your family tree is never finished, learning should be a constant. Thirty minutes prior to the start of a program is my favorite time for people-watching. You will often hear the casual mention of research being done in a specific area. Another member will answer that they are researching that area too. By the end of the meeting, they may have discovered that they are related. Believe me, it happens more often than you think. Local genealogists and historians know where the treasures are buried. They can tell you more than you ever wanted to know about the history of homes, buildings, roads and cemeteries.
Social media is an amazing tool in genealogy research, but you can’t find memories online. I can’t imagine what it might be like without my genealogy friends to share a discovery with. It may be cliché’ but I’ve found my tribe and suggest you do the same. Search the areas you are researching for local genealogy societies to join. A society in Canada that I am a member of recently contacted me to report they had received journals which matched my surname of interest. Jackpot. Copies of the pages are being mailed to me as we speak.
Although I pay dues to societies I may never physically visit, knowing that my small donation is helping them grow record holdings for future generations is amazing. If you are interested in joining NCGS, applications can be found on our website, www.niagaragenealogy.org, or join the fun and look for me at one of our free in-person or Zoom programs listed on our Facebook page. However you decide to do it, get involved and find your tribe.