Saturday, March 2, 2019

History versus Genealogy


There is a debate raging inside me, partially prompted by a dispute among some members of my local genealogical society. At some times, it strikes me that the answer should obviously align with one philosophy. At other times—miserable soul that I am—my mind does an about-face and sides with the opposition.

The issue is this: should genealogists concern themselves with the broader picture of history, or should the discipline of genealogy be strictly focused on the matter of correctly documenting lineage?

Of course, I think, everyone should see the reasonableness of letting genealogy focus on, well, genealogy. Let genealogists specialize in that arena, and let others take on the bigger picture of all-things-other.

But then the demon inside rises up and questions how it could ever be possible to understand the people in those lineages—what they were like, what they chose to do with their lives—without understanding the broader issues surrounding them and shaping them.

To stir the pot even further is to recall that history is one side's recounting of what happened. Take, for instance, my observation about the horrendous massacres occurring to neighbors of my early settler ancestors in northern Florida. Yes, that was tragic. But what would that story sound like if told by a descendant on the other side of the conflict?

Even messier is trying to understand the psychological dynamics of the interplay between a white master and a black slave when the outcome includes children of the two. How are those children perceived by each side? Despised? Or welcomed as half-siblings? I know what my guess would be, but I'm stymied by indications that my take on the matter might be totally wrong.

Winners versus losers in wars, in political struggles, in clashes of all kinds between the weak and the strong: how the rest of the story is worked out isn't always what we imagine it will be. Then, too, sometimes the "rest of the story" doesn't always get worked out entirely.

In our local situation, we came face to face with a social media dilemma: should our social media policy include resources for history education? Or limit ourselves specifically to mentions regarding "genealogy"? Does content which presents even a glimmer of consideration for the "other" side in past historic conflicts have a place in a study of family history?

It seems like such a clear dividing line: post only those links which specifically are involved with genealogy, but not those more broadly considering exploration of opposing views of history. Thus, it is permissible to post a flier on a workshop on Japanese American genealogy—but not acceptable to announce a lecture by a locally-respected professor on the "Day of Remembrance" for the anniversary of the February 19, 1942, signing of Executive Order 9066, requiring internment of all Americans of Japanese ancestry.

It seems easy to draw that dividing line. We are, after all, a genealogical society, not a historical society. But can we truly understand our ancestors when we divorce our study of who they were from the broader context of what made them who they were?

Is this my outside voice speaking? My reticent, demure self may be stunned at hearing me voice my conclusion, but I believe—at least, if I am thinking this episode out clearly—that, as uncomfortable as we may feel about another person's viewpoint of how we always understood history, it is incumbent upon us as diligent researchers of our own family history, to be brave enough to open ourselves up to as full a realm of the facts as possible in seeking to understand what made our ancestors who they were.

Not comfortable words for a descendant of slave owners, to be sure. Nor for citizens of a country born and bred on the bedrock of "innocent until proven guilty." But if we are fortunate, we learn, adapt, transcend previous error and move upward. Nobody called us to be error-free, nor our ancestors to be perfect. It's not the mistakes that are egregious; it's the failing to make amends and learn from our ancestors' experiences that will impact our descendants.

There is, if I remember correctly, that little saying about history repeating itself...


14 comments:

  1. Great piece Jacqui! Genealogy without context is kind of pointless in my humble opinion

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    1. Thanks for adding your voice to the chorus, Kat. Deep down, I know that's the truth. Surprising how much power to sway the alternate argument can hold, though.

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  2. The history of an area can lead to finding individual facts. Couldn't find anything for my great grandfather's death except the family story that he died at work but no time frame.
    The 'history' of a typhoid epidemic led to a news article about the man who who died at work after returning to soon having had typhoid.
    And the man named was my great grandfather - thus a death date.

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    1. What a great illustration, Gayle! Thanks for sharing.

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  3. Yes, this is a great piece. Very thoughtful and helpful. It seems a no-brainer that understanding history greatly enhances the study of genealogy. But how to do it just enough, so one doesn't swallow up the other?

    There are people who only want to work on the puzzle of lineage; and that's fine, the world needs all types. Others also want to know the context. You are like that. But it must be hard to work it out in a collaborative group.

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    1. Lisa, that's a valuable reminder: "the world needs all types." In a group, we all come together for a common purpose, but each brings differing gifts--and weaknesses. Finding the balance, in a group, is so important. Equally important is allowing those who wish to delve deeper to be equipped to do so--without, as you said, swallowing up the other.

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  4. Your posts have inspired me to be more open and accepting in pursuing lineages in genealogy. Coming from a family that conveniently overlooked, forgot, or tweaked certain situations in the past, it has been easy to stay on the straight and narrow of the family narratives. Historical context was only included when and where it was relevant in an individual situation.

    In my opinion, genealogy, history, anthropology, and humanities all coincide with each other. That noted, it seems that today's genealogists have more to find on individual lineages than in any time in the past. As Henry Lewis Gates puts it, there are the paper trails and the biological ones. And, if you ever watch his "Finding Your Roots," you'll see that he introduces the historical context surrounding the marriages, births, migrations, vocations, and accomplishments of his guests' ancestors. It makes the study of the guests' genealogical backgrounds more interesting.

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    1. For any of us seeking to make the stories of our ancestors' lives more interesting to others, adding that historical context, as you mentioned, will do exactly that.

      It's interesting that you also fold anthropology and the humanities in with history, and indeed, those disciplines all add a perspective on how to examine our ancestors for who they were--especially as a product of their times (or even a person ahead of their time, or fighting the pressures of their times).

      I know you and I have a lot to discuss on what is unfolding in the King Stockton story. It is the putting together of two halves of the same story, actually, and I look forward to seeing whether what each side knows can prompt discoveries on behalf of the other side.

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  5. Some people have a goal in sight and others have that same goal in sight but are more curious and want the rest of the story.

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    1. And it's the story which makes it all so interesting!

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  6. The more genealogy I do, the more important context becomes to me. I want to flesh out the stories and the humanity of my ancestors as much as possible - not just names and dates.

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    1. That's how I feel, Kathy. Perhaps at the very beginning--which feels like a kazillion years ago, now--I might have focused on the names and dates, but it didn't take long to realize all the fascinating stuff was in the history, not just the genealogy. Genealogy was the vehicle to bring me to the stories.

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  7. I have included your blog in INTERESTING BLOGS in FRIDAY FOSSICKING at

    https://thatmomentintime-crissouli.blogspot.com/2019/03/friday-fossicking-8th-march-2019.html
    Thank you, Chris

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    1. Chris, thank you so much for the mention. I was planning on stopping by tomorrow...until I realized that it is already Friday for you! Appreciate the shout out--and your long and fascinating list of interesting articles.

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