Mailing List:2001-01-21 02, Disturbing the Dead?, by Steve Kraus
Mailing List Archives > 2001-01-21 02, Disturbing the Dead?, by Steve Kraus
From: "Steve Kraus" <skraus -at- cfl.rr.com> Subject: [WHITNEY-L] Disturbing the Dead? Date: Sun, 21 Jan 2001 09:00:58 -0500 In-Reply-To: <[email protected]> >I do believe that the practice of genealogy is 'disturbing the dead and >irritating the living' so I have been going real slow as I >really don't want to irritate or offend some of the really hard working >researchers. Rose, Unfortunately, I have living relative who is 90 years old and feels the same way although he can be a valuable resource if you get him talking. 1. It's quite the opposite, genealogy allows you to find your heritage, acknowledge the sacrifices your forefathers beared, and honor the dead. You visit your parents and grandparents graves, It's quite an honor to find and visit a the grave of a 4g-grandfather who fought in the Revolutionary war and try to imagine what his life must have been like. If I had packed up my family for a treacherous, month long journey to start a new nation in an unknown land, I would want my ancestors to know about me and appreciate the decisions I had to make. 2. By studying death certificates of family members, my wife found out that most of the women in the past 2 generations died of cancer usually starting in the breast. By knowing this, she was alert enough to detect a lump very early and through a relatively simple lumpectomy, with preventative chemo and radiation, may have added 40 years to her life. Since we were expecting it, we were more mentally prepared when it did happen. (Although it's still scary.) 3. Through genealogy, I found out that my g-grandfather, who immigrated from Germany to MA and moved to IA, had a brother who stayed in MA and I have family there. We both have daughters about the same age and both named Lisa Anne (exact same spelling). Forge on, Rose, nudge the reluctant gently, get them to reminisce the happy times of their lives, and the people around them at the time. Let the memories of your ancestors live on through you, and you'll soon find that you are one of those hard working researchers. Steve Kraus
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