Why do Genealogy?
For those of you who have not caught the spirit of genealogy work, let me give you a few reasons why you might want to try this as a new hobby.
1. Learning about your roots can help you understand yourself better.
2. To join some societies you need to know your lineage.
3. LDS belief of providing ordinance work for the dead.
4. The thrill of discovering an ancestor.
Genealogy is a very addicting hobby; it's like doing a puzzle and finding the piece/person who fits in each spot. Sometimes it's nice to stop searching for names though, and just read different stories about each person. A few years ago I typed up my paternal grandma's handwritten life story and I learned so many interesting things about her life and also about my father as a little boy. This record helped me catch a glimpse of where I come from.
Some societies focus on the descendants of ancestors who participated in an historical event. Daughters of the American Revolution, The Society of Mayflower Descendants, and United Daughters of the Confederacy are a few examples of these societies. Other societies focus on a geographical location instead, such as New England Historic Genealogical Society. In order to join one of these societies or others, you have to know where your ancestors came from and who they were.
Many Latter-Day Saints do genealogy research because they want to provide baptism and other ordinances to those who were not given the chance while they were alive. Mormons believe that the living may assist their deceased relatives to progress in the next life, if they accept work done for them in LDS temples. Elder Henry B. Eyring, an apostle for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, said this in a recent conference address, "The ordinances you so cherish are offered only in this world. Someone in this world must go to a holy temple and accept the covenants on behalf of the person in the spirit world. That is why we are under obligation to find the names of our ancestors and ensure that they are offered by use what they cannot receive there without our help." LDS members are under obligation to find their ancestors.
The last reason for doing genealogy work can't really be understood until you've actually found an ancestor's name. When you find a relative's name on your own for the first time, and even each subsequent time thereafter, it feels amazing. All the time and work that goes into the search all become worthwhile when you can add a name or many names to your pedigree chart.
Genealogy has been claimed by some to be one of the most popular hobbies in America, second only to stamp or coin collecting. Don't you think it's time you gave it a try too?