R E F L E C T I O N S

Last night was my last genealogy class.  I never expected to enjoy what I've learned so much. Thanks to an excellent teacher-guide a new world of exploration is now open for me.

Image by Getty Images via @daylife Last night in class we went over the point that genealogy is not just a set of dates copied onto a chart or tree. It's the family events and stories associated with our ancestors. It also puts a perspective on how the family fits in with the events of history.

Image by SMU Central University Libraries via Flickr Last night was the first class and the instructor asked the nine members of the class about their ancestors.  As I expected, most had English backgrounds from relatives who settled in the USA. One man had a relative from the "Buffalo" soldiers, a nickname given to the African American regiment which fought against the Native American "Indians".  Supposedly the Native Americans called the black cavalry troops "buffalo soldiers" because of their dark curly hair, which resembled a buffalo's coat. I was the only one with roots in Italy, being the first generation born in this country.  This may make my search a bit more difficult yet in a way more interesting. For now I'll have to look over my notes and start the search.

That's the title of  the course I'm taking tonight.  It's at The Center for Lifelong Learning (local adult continuing education).  I am curious about who my ancestors are.  I've never met my grandparents on either my mother's or father's side of the family so I don't know how far I'll get. My roots will probably be traceable only back to my grandparents. Maybe I'm just a "mutt from the pound".  But they say some of the best tempered and healthiest dogs come from pounds. It should be very interesting.