I started this blog in September 2012 with three private posts and then didn’t write again until November. The idea was that I would start to put the photos and stories I had accumulated “out there” for family members to access. Although the details aren’t that memorable to me, it seems that I switched to public but didn’t tag the posts at first, hoping that the posts wouldn’t get picked up by Google. That way, relatives could easily find the blog, but I was in hopes that nobody else would find it.
It didn’t take too long to see that some family members (Hi, Mom and Dad haha) and a few friends liked the blog and I thought it might be better just to tag the posts and connect with other WordPress bloggers. What I had seen of the bloggers working on family histories interested me a lot, so I wanted to feel more involved.
I had no idea what would happen. No, I don’t have an amazing number of blog followers, but those that do follow tend to be loyal and friendly. They are also kind and generous and have helped with looking at the details in photographs and giving me clues about where to search–as well as giving me some behind the scenes help. You know who you are and you are fabulous.
Another aspect of blogging that I could not have predicted is how many wonderful non-bloggers have found the blog through internet searches and have shared information with me. I hesitate to name people because I don’t want to leave anybody out, so I will list just a few of the insights I’ve gained from these generous souls.
- One of the biggest mysteries was the Paak family fire and that branch of the family–now I have info and photos to sort through and a new “cousin”
- Information and photographs about my great-great grandfather Richard DeKorn’s second wife and her daughters.
- Dates and names beyond count from a very kind and hardworking soul in the Netherlands
- Through the previous individual, I found a first cousin once removed (I think that’s right) with a big heart–and photos and info–from my dad’s family
- Photos and information of my ancestors in the Netherlands
- Found the Noffke line
- Found out more about the Jenny DeKorn Culver family–and received the gorgeous album of photographs and postcards
- Information and photographs relating to Ramona Park, Long Lake, and the Waruf family
- Learned more about the Bosman family
- Learned more about the VanLiere family and corresponded with that branch and, yes, photos
- Traced a branch from the Netherlands to the Holland area of Michigan
- Identification of various photographs
I could continue as there are more goodies that have come my way since starting this blog. I am so grateful for the generosity of everyone involved. If I had kept this blog just to “us,” I wouldn’t have known how large my family truly is and how kind strangers can be.
That’s all I wanted to talk about today: how grateful I am and how thrilling it is to look back at all the information that has been shared here from such generous souls.
The Family Kalamazoo 
Great reflection about blogging about genealogy.
Thank you, Pierre. I have been overwhelmed with the generosity of others since I started blogging. I think you have made a lot of connections, too.
I can relate to this completely. I also started my blog as a way to share with just a few newly found cousins, and then it just grew. And I also feel so grateful for all the help that the genealogy community, yourself included, has provided to me both through the blog and through other listservs and resources I’ve found. It truly does take a village! I am so glad you started blogging and that I was lucky enough to find your blog.
Amy, that’s very sweet of you to say. I enjoy your blog so much. I agree about it taking a village. There is no point in jealously guarding our information. It takes on new meaning when information someone else has is linked to it.
My blog was to be a journal/written blog also, then I discovered photography blogs. Had no idea it would become almost addictive. Great fun.
Haha, yes, blogging can be pretty addictive! I hadn’t thought about it that way, but it’s true. I love all the beautiful photographs on WordPress. Your blog looks great!
Great post! I love a true/live success story! Very inspiring for us all!
I’m so glad you’re inspired by what’s happened at this blog, Lenore! It really keeps me going, too. Things have been so stressful with work lately, and the only reason I’ve kept up the blog is the encouragement I feel from all the readers who have contributed information and advice. That is what is really inspiring to me!!!
That’s very encouraging to me as a new blogger, and a fairly new wanna-be-genealogist. Thanks for sharing all your successes.
I hope you will have the same kind of response from others. It might take a little while before people find you, but if you use your tags well, they will read, even if you don’t know they are out there until they contact you! Good luck to you, pastsmith!!!
Thumbs up to gratitude. No doubt lots of people are grateful to you, too, for what you have shared.
That’s kind of you to say. I enjoy the other genealogy, photography, and writing blogs so much, and I do like to let bloggers know! But what has come to me with this blog has been beyond anything I could have ever imagined.
Thanks for sharing your past with us in bloggerland. What a pleasure it is.
Thanks so much, Ivan! I enjoyed your post about the two new iPhones. We haven’t done that yet. My parents both have iPhones. My kids both have iPhones. But we don’t have time to learn the new technology! How long did it take you?
I have had similar experiences. It’s been great to get to know wonderful people like you with similar interests via our blogs.
Sheryl, that’s how I feel, too. So nice to meet such great people like you!
I think the best thing about the internet is the boom in genealogy! I love sharing genealogy with people and the ‘net has made it so much easier! 🙂
I am just amazed by the sharing that comes with it!
What a wonderful project! I’m afraid I’ve let my Grandma’s story fall by the wayside lately, but you inspire me to take it up again. I’m glad you’ve found so many helpful and informative people!
I hope you do pick it back up! It’s such a worthy project, and I enjoy reading it!
Great post and something I have found also. I have met a lot of amazing people along way too. Family history is a wonderful thing to share.
[…] Online Generosity and Family History […]
[…] Online Generosity and Family History […]