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The Kalamazoo Valley Family Vol. 2, No. 1 September 1972 Page 29 |
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORIANS
RICHARD W. WELCH
I never cease
to be amazed by the lack of knowledge that most people have concerning their
forebears. Recently I began working
in the junior and senior high schools of
Eaton County as a substitute teacher. In some of the classes I took surveys as
to how many knew the names of their grandparents. I have also taken the same
type of survey in some of my classes at M.S.U. The results are nearly always the
same. No more than 15% could honestly say that they knew the full names of each
of four grandparents. Even fewer knew the full name of one of their great
grandparents.
Even at this
young age, when most of their grandparents are still living, they did not know
them by any other name than Grandpa ( - ), or Grandma ( - ). However, there is a
spark of interest in genealogy among school age children. They are usually
surprised to learn that the Revolutionary War was fought by more than a few
famous generals, and that one of their own ancestors may have had a part in that
conflict. This spark of interest has simply not been kindled because their
ancestors are not "real" people to them. Historians make the mistake of omitting
people from their histories, making it drab and lifeless. Genealogists tend to
go the opposite way and concentrate too much on people and omitting events. A
happy medium should be reached so history will be brought to life for everyone.
I am not a professional historian, so I hesitate to lecture those who are - in
the ways that they can make their discipline more exciting. I am a professional
genealogist, however, and it disturbs me to find genealogists who are satisfied
with finding a new name, or a new date, and going no further. It is also
important to know what happened during the life-time of an ancestor if only to
help solve problems in future research; but also to make your genealogy more
exciting. A simple example may help to illustrate this point. One of my
ancestors stated in the 1880 federal census of Ohio that he was born in West
Virginia, and was 45 years old. Unfamiliarity with historical events could cause
a researcher to dash off a letter to some governmental office in Charleston,
West Virginia - asking
for aid in research. Anyone who has taken the time to
learn a little of what occurred during the life-time of that ancestor would know
that West Virginia simply did not exist in 1835, and that the desired state
records would most likely be found in Richmond, Virginia.
The
genealogist who seeks only names and dates does two things:
(1.) he creates
problems and obstacles in his research that need not exist,
(2.) he makes his
genealogy dull and lifeless for others, particularly those who have the
potential desire and energy to actively learn more about the history of both
their nation and of themselves. Genealogists often call themselves "biographical
historians", a title which we should all try to live up to.
This site may be freely linked to but not duplicated
in any fashion without
my consent.
The information on these pages is meant for personal genealogical
research only and is not for commercial use of any type.
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