This is a very difficult week. Witnessing police brutality and civil unrest layered on top of the fear, uncertainty and loss surrounding the global pandemic feels almost unbearable for me, and I am in a relatively comfortable situation of great safety.
Thanks to the most recent 30 x 30 challenge, at least I’m spending some focused and productive time on my genealogy research. That is a wonderful respite from the worry. One of the things I love most about genealogy research is learning about my ancestors’ lives and what they experienced. That feels particularly useful right now.
Going through this current time of difficulty (which for me in my privileged life has led to emotional, but not physical, pain) makes me feel even closer to my ancestors. When I research my Civil War soldier ancestors and their families, for instance, it’s hard to imagine what they went through. A country divided in war is virtually incomprehensible.
I don’t know how my ancestors who lived during that time bore the emotional pain and physical difficulties of the Civil War (as well as the Antebellum and Reconstruction eras). But those who survived did bear it. They had to. And I take strength in that.
Layered on top of all of this is the knowledge that systems of oppression benefited my white ancestors, even when their lives were difficult. This is particularly informative right now in the context of the civil unrest. I know these systems have benefited me as well, even if I don’t consciously participate in them.
I will continue with my daily genealogy research as I look for ways to feel less helpless and more useful right now. I am grateful for the solace it provides.
Hi Janine – yup, I’ve been doing the same thing. I work in Cleveland and have been so heartbroken about the riots and looting and the pain that my friends experience on a daily basis. My only solace (and you nailed it with that word!) is working through my genealogy research. I’m not sure if it’s that the research or the process, but it is calming for sure.
It’s nice to know I’m not alone in these feelings. Thanks for commenting, Christine.
I so understand! I could barely get out of bed yesterday and continue to tear up numerous times a day. My emotions are raw and right on the surface – as they should be! I chose to scan some old ancestral photos – the repetitiveness was calming, looking at the familiar faces helped ground me and I was able to knock something off my to-do list.
Hugs to you, Linda. I’m sure you’re right about photo scanning being a good task these days.
Janine, I empathize with what you wrote. During the Covid lockdown months, I’ve been collaborating with 2 cousins, working on our first ancestor who came to what is now Massachusetts in 1635. We of course have done this via email. But it’s been fun to work closely with these two ladies, and we all share every new tidbit of info that we find together. Also trying to learn who our first ancestor’s wife really was. All we know is that she was named “Dorothy” and they came together from England, with several children. (He had a very common name, so there were many men in England during his time with the same name!) I think doing genealogy is a major “remedy” for much of what ails us during this stressful era. It is truly amazing how many old historical records not only still remain, but also have been digitized over the last decade or so. Before, so many things were only available at large libraries, or in the general area where the history took place. Cousin, we really have so much to be thankful for during this time!
Patricia, thanks for commenting. You’re right: we internet-era genealogists have much to be grateful for!
I agree. The 30 x 30 challenge has helped me to forget some of the bad events that are happening. Like a lot of people, I have to think of my parents who lived thru the Spanish Flu, Great Depression and WW 2. Your challenge happened at the right time.
Thanks, Jerry. I’m so glad there’s a challenge happening right now!
It does help to see what your ancestors went through my grandparents lived through WWI the Spanish flu and the great depression, my great grandparents had the Civil war and some of them were on the losing side. They had to be strong
They definitely have to be strong! It’s inspiring. I hope you’re doing well, Debbie.