Thursday, October 3, 2013

Protecting The Past and Hiding Ancestors


My Grandmother, Margaret w/ her husband Don James and mother Mary B.Doyle (Carr)
In a recent conversation with my my mother, as we sat looking over tons of pictures and talking about family. I was reminded of just how secretive we can be when it comes to our ancestors. Maybe a better word would be "Hoarder". Holding on to information and pictures like our ancestors only belong to us.  Maybe we feel that not sharing is like holding on to a little piece of those who have passed on.

I think it's pretty amazing that from two individuals come a whole nation! If my ancestors as a couple have 10, 15 or 25 children. WE, the descendants of them are ALL forever interlocked by blood. We are family.

I shared with my mother my thoughts on our emotional need, the feeling of not wanting to share. We can't take any of  it with us. What happens to our family tree and our pictures when were gone? doesn't someone have to carry on and continue to tell the story of our ancestors ? Ancestor hunting is big work. I can't imagine that I would find all there is to know about every single ancestor all by myself..although I try. :-)

Families should work together. Imagine how much we could do if we just had unity.

It takes a village.


Denise





8 comments:

  1. As I have my sacred Ancestor images in hiding [from what I don't know, you've given me MUCH to think about -- as usual! Well said D... Your Ancestors are working us both!:)

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  2. Girl ain't that the truth! Gotta share! Bev

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  3. The pictures belong to all the descendants. In most cases, they are not the original owner of the photograph. Someone shared with them, why not continue to share.

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  4. I've gotten photos of Ancestors I never thought I would find pictures through sharing. And I love the photo of your grandmother and her husband and mother up there. Is she one of the children in the picture with Peter Doyle to the right?

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    1. Thanks Kristen. Yes, that's her! the little girl with the blonde hair. :)

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  5. This is a beautiful photo Denise!

    You know, I have always posted photos of me, my siblings, family members and ancestors on my blog. Why? Because I really don't worry about someone copying them. For the reasons Kristin pointed out -- I have received wonderful photos and found photos through sharing. If I'm not willing to share information, who am I to complain when information is not readily and openly shared with me?

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    1. I agree Liv. I'm glad that I finally started sharing :)

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