Re: [AZORES-Genealogy] Writing the family history
I very much agree with documenting it all- the good AND the bad, exactly
as is. The stories about character are so much less documented than the
vital information. If I am able to learn new information by word of
mouth, it would feel wrong not to document it. I don't feel it's my
place to decide for the rest of the people in the family tree whether or
not to cover up an unpleasant piece of information potentially causing
it to be lost forever. Though I am absolutely understanding that, for
many, it is simply an unnecessary emotional burden. I would never put
the information in a place where it could be found without warning, nor
would I even announce it to the family. It is more just about recording
it, so it is there, for if and when someone specifically would like to
know to have the opportunity to take it as is.
Someone mentioned earlier how learning about the less pleasant things
our ancestors faced is helpful in understanding others in the tree and
how it affected them- I echo this. Being able to learn about the
struggles and flaws of earlier generations is truly enlightening.
Whether the information is made to die or not, chances are, this sad
story was covered up because someone was affected by it. It's not hard
to draw connections and see how any given trait of an ancestor has shown
its influence in your own personality or life. With the good things,
it's funny and exciting. And with the bad ones, it can be empowering and
encouraging to get a better understanding of why things are how they are.
Of course, it is truly an individual decision, and rather than picking a
side, what is most important to me is preserving the opportunity to make
that decision as opposed to doing something which may eliminate the
choice altogether for everyone.
On 9/12/2012 6:51 AM, John Raposo wrote:
I think there are ways of presenting history is fair and balanced.
Histories should be balanced and as objective as possible. It is of
little value to present Vavó Rose as a candidate for saithood unless
she was Mother Theresa's clone. It is OK to sing her praises as
recalled by those who knew her while noting that not everybody liked
her, that some people recalled a not so pleasant Vavó Rosa when she
had one too many. I have been a social worker all my life and when
doing family assessments it was always imperative to ask a reporter
who had only a litany of sad memories about Dad, "Can you recall
anything about him that you liked, that made you smile, that you wish
you had seen more of?" Conversely, when I start getting a sense that
someone will soon have a parish church named in their honor, I would
ask "Were there things about him that you wish he had changed, things
that you wish you hadn't known or seen.?" In these cases it was
powerful for the person telling the story to see the humanity of
sainted Vavó Rosa, and that Dad could on rare ocassion come though in
big and unnexpected ways.
*From:* Pam Santos
*To:* azores@googlegroups.com
*Sent:* Tuesday, September 11, 2012 4:41 PM
*Subject:* Re: [AZORES-Genealogy] Writing the family history
I agree Debbie and that is why I don't drink lol It passes on from
generation to generation not worth taking the chance.
On Tue, Sep 11, 2012 at 9:44 AM, Debra Wolgemuth <mailto:wolgemut...@msn.com>> wrote:
My maternal grandfather was an alcoholic; a horrible disease. It
was interesting to discover how many generations back the
alcoholism went as I found an ancestor in the mid-1800's who was a
prominent settler of a new town in Georgia, but died young of
alcoholism. You can track generation after generation to current
day where the alcoholism still exists in the family lineage.
On my husband's line, there is a genetic bicuspid value problem in
the family. I've noted it in my research records so other family
members can be on the lookout for the genetic defect in their
medical care.
There are other family stories that I have not been able to
investigate and certify, so I haven't added them to my research
records. One story was that my Azorean grandmother's brother was
killed by the Portguese mafia by being thrown off the train
between Bakersfield and Fresno. Was there a Portuguese mafia in
Central California? Was this a tall tale or true? Who
knows...the research continues...
*/Debbie Wolgemuth/*
Researching Azoreans: Jorge (Flores), Freitas (Flores), Enos (San
Miguel), Silveira Matos (Faial), Rodrigues (unknown)
Immigrated to: Merced, CA
Date: Mon, 10 Sep 2012 11:36:16 -0700
From: lensi...@lenstudio.com <mailto:lensi...@lenstudio.com>
To: azores@googlegroups.com <mailto:azores@googlegroups.com>
Subject: [AZORES-Genealogy] Writing the family history
I have been researching my grandfather in the hopes of writing a
h
Re: [AZORES-Genealogy] Writing the family history
I think there are ways of presenting history is fair and balanced. Histories should be balanced and as objective as possible. It is of little value to present Vavó Rose as a candidate for saithood unless she was Mother Theresa's clone. It is OK to sing her praises as recalled by those who knew her while noting that not everybody liked her, that some people recalled a not so pleasant Vavó Rosa when she had one too many. I have been a social worker all my life and when doing family assessments it was always imperative to ask a reporter who had only a litany of sad memories about Dad, "Can you recall anything about him that you liked, that made you smile, that you wish you had seen more of?" Conversely, when I start getting a sense that someone will soon have a parish church named in their honor, I would ask "Were there things about him that you wish he had changed, things that you wish you hadn't known or seen.?" In these cases it was powerful for the person telling the story to see the humanity of sainted Vavó Rosa, and that Dad could on rare ocassion come though in big and unnexpected ways. From: Pam Santos To: azores@googlegroups.com Sent: Tuesday, September 11, 2012 4:41 PM Subject: Re: [AZORES-Genealogy] Writing the family history I agree Debbie and that is why I don't drink lol It passes on from generation to generation not worth taking the chance. On Tue, Sep 11, 2012 at 9:44 AM, Debra Wolgemuth wrote: My maternal grandfather was an alcoholic; a horrible disease. It was interesting to discover how many generations back the alcoholism went as I found an ancestor in the mid-1800's who was a prominent settler of a new town in Georgia, but died young of alcoholism. You can track generation after generation to current day where the alcoholism still exists in the family lineage. > >On my husband's line, there is a genetic bicuspid value problem in the >family. I've noted it in my research records so other family members can be >on the lookout for the genetic defect in their medical care. > >There are other family stories that I have not been able to investigate and >certify, so I haven't added them to my research records. One story was that >my Azorean grandmother's brother was killed by the Portguese mafia by being >thrown off the train between Bakersfield and Fresno. Was there a Portuguese >mafia in Central California? Was this a tall tale or true? Who knows...the >research continues... > >Debbie Wolgemuth >Researching Azoreans: Jorge (Flores), Freitas (Flores), Enos (San Miguel), >Silveira Matos (Faial), Rodrigues (unknown) >Immigrated to: Merced, CA > > >>____ >Date: Mon, 10 Sep 2012 11:36:16 -0700 >From: lensi...@lenstudio.com >To: azores@googlegroups.com > >Subject: [AZORES-Genealogy] Writing the family history > > >I have been researching my grandfather in the hopes of writing a history for >the coming generations and to satisfy the curiosity of my family about their >heritage. > >After some research, I find that the kindly old man that I knew as a child may >not have been all that nice. Stories are starting to arise of abuse, >excessive drinking, and estrangement of his children. > >My father was a product of his second marriage and cared a lot for his >parents. Vovoo was an old man of 75 when I was born, and I only knew a sweet, >kind old man who loved me. Now, I am finding that the children of his first >marriage did not hold him in such high esteem. > >So, my question for the group is: If you were putting together a family >history for the generations to come, how would you handle this? > >Most of the stories are hearsay as there is no one alive with direct >knowledge, but there must be something to them. > >I am inclined to be very honest in relating family stories, but I wonder how >some of you might handle this. > >Thanks for your input, > >Len > > >-- >To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >mailto:azores%2bunsubscr...@googlegroups.com. Follow the confirmation >directions when they arrive. >For more options, such as changing to List, Digest, Abridged, or No Mail >(vacation) mode, log into your Google account and visit this group at >http://groups.google.com/group/Azores. Click in the blue area on the right >that says "Join this group" and it will take you to "Edit my membership." >-- >To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >mailto:azores%2bunsubscr...@googlegroups.com. Follow the confirmation >directions when they arrive. >For more options, such as changing to List, Digest, Abridged, or No Mail >(vacation) mode, log into your Google account and vis
Re: [AZORES-Genealogy] Writing the family history
Greetings from Northern California--I am researching my ancestry from Terceira. My grandfather, John Leonardo (way too common a name for the Azores!) was born I believe Oct. 13, 1886--his mother's name was Souza (another way too common name for the Azores!). John immigrated to Massachusetts in 1916; John died on Catalina Island in Los Angeles County, California in 1954. I'm not finding anything on John or his parents other than his naturialization certificate and census material from Tulare County, California--can anyone suggest a direct Terceira site I can look at? John's wife was Maximilliana Perry whose mother was Helen Augustirko or Helen Bettencourt Perry born 1878 also from the Azores and settled in Massachusetts. Hope to hear from someone. Thanks. Terri Hill From: Pam Santos To: azores@googlegroups.com Sent: Tuesday, September 11, 2012 1:41 PM Subject: Re: [AZORES-Genealogy] Writing the family history I agree Debbie and that is why I don't drink lol It passes on from generation to generation not worth taking the chance. On Tue, Sep 11, 2012 at 9:44 AM, Debra Wolgemuth wrote: My maternal grandfather was an alcoholic; a horrible disease. It was interesting to discover how many generations back the alcoholism went as I found an ancestor in the mid-1800's who was a prominent settler of a new town in Georgia, but died young of alcoholism. You can track generation after generation to current day where the alcoholism still exists in the family lineage. > >On my husband's line, there is a genetic bicuspid value problem in the >family. I've noted it in my research records so other family members can be >on the lookout for the genetic defect in their medical care. > >There are other family stories that I have not been able to investigate and >certify, so I haven't added them to my research records. One story was that >my Azorean grandmother's brother was killed by the Portguese mafia by being >thrown off the train between Bakersfield and Fresno. Was there a Portuguese >mafia in Central California? Was this a tall tale or true? Who knows...the >research continues... > >Debbie Wolgemuth >Researching Azoreans: Jorge (Flores), Freitas (Flores), Enos (San Miguel), >Silveira Matos (Faial), Rodrigues (unknown) >Immigrated to: Merced, CA > > >> >Date: Mon, 10 Sep 2012 11:36:16 -0700 >From: lensi...@lenstudio.com >To: azores@googlegroups.com > >Subject: [AZORES-Genealogy] Writing the family history > > >I have been researching my grandfather in the hopes of writing a history for >the coming generations and to satisfy the curiosity of my family about their >heritage. > >After some research, I find that the kindly old man that I knew as a child may >not have been all that nice. Stories are starting to arise of abuse, >excessive drinking, and estrangement of his children. > >My father was a product of his second marriage and cared a lot for his >parents. Vovoo was an old man of 75 when I was born, and I only knew a sweet, >kind old man who loved me. Now, I am finding that the children of his first >marriage did not hold him in such high esteem. > >So, my question for the group is: If you were putting together a family >history for the generations to come, how would you handle this? > >Most of the stories are hearsay as there is no one alive with direct >knowledge, but there must be something to them. > >I am inclined to be very honest in relating family stories, but I wonder how >some of you might handle this. > >Thanks for your input, > >Len > > >-- >To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >mailto:azores%2bunsubscr...@googlegroups.com. Follow the confirmation >directions when they arrive. >For more options, such as changing to List, Digest, Abridged, or No Mail >(vacation) mode, log into your Google account and visit this group at >http://groups.google.com/group/Azores. Click in the blue area on the right >that says "Join this group" and it will take you to "Edit my membership." >-- >To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >mailto:azores%2bunsubscr...@googlegroups.com. Follow the confirmation >directions when they arrive. >For more options, such as changing to List, Digest, Abridged, or No Mail >(vacation) mode, log into your Google account and visit this group at >http://groups.google.com/group/Azores. Click in the blue area on the right >that says "Join this group" and it will take you to "Edit my membership." -- To unsubscribe from this group, send email to azores+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. Follow the confirmation directions when they arrive. For more
Re: [AZORES-Genealogy] Writing the family history
I agree Debbie and that is why I don't drink lol It passes on from generation to generation not worth taking the chance. On Tue, Sep 11, 2012 at 9:44 AM, Debra Wolgemuth wrote: > My maternal grandfather was an alcoholic; a horrible disease. It was > interesting to discover how many generations back the alcoholism went as I > found an ancestor in the mid-1800's who was a prominent settler of a new > town in Georgia, but died young of alcoholism. You can track generation > after generation to current day where the alcoholism still exists in the > family lineage. > > On my husband's line, there is a genetic bicuspid value problem in the > family. I've noted it in my research records so other family members can > be on the lookout for the genetic defect in their medical care. > > There are other family stories that I have not been able to investigate > and certify, so I haven't added them to my research records. One story was > that my Azorean grandmother's brother was killed by the Portguese mafia by > being thrown off the train between Bakersfield and Fresno. Was there a > Portuguese mafia in Central California? Was this a tall tale or true? Who > knows...the research continues... > > *Debbie Wolgemuth* > Researching Azoreans: Jorge (Flores), Freitas (Flores), Enos (San Miguel), > Silveira Matos (Faial), Rodrigues (unknown) > Immigrated to: Merced, CA > > -- > Date: Mon, 10 Sep 2012 11:36:16 -0700 > From: lensi...@lenstudio.com > To: azores@googlegroups.com > > Subject: [AZORES-Genealogy] Writing the family history > > I have been researching my grandfather in the hopes of writing a history > for the coming generations and to satisfy the curiosity of my family about > their heritage. > > After some research, I find that the kindly old man that I knew as a child > may not have been all that nice. Stories are starting to arise of abuse, > excessive drinking, and estrangement of his children. > > My father was a product of his second marriage and cared a lot for his > parents. Vovoo was an old man of 75 when I was born, and I only knew a > sweet, kind old man who loved me. Now, I am finding that the children of > his first marriage did not hold him in such high esteem. > > So, my question for the group is: If you were putting together a family > history for the generations to come, how would you handle this? > > Most of the stories are hearsay as there is no one alive with direct > knowledge, but there must be something to them. > > I am inclined to be very honest in relating family stories, but I wonder > how some of you might handle this. > > Thanks for your input, > > Len > > -- > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to > azores+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. Follow the confirmation directions > when they arrive. > For more options, such as changing to List, Digest, Abridged, or No Mail > (vacation) mode, log into your Google account and visit this group at > http://groups.google.com/group/Azores. Click in the blue area on the > right that says "Join this group" and it will take you to "Edit my > membership." > > -- > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to > azores+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. Follow the confirmation directions > when they arrive. > For more options, such as changing to List, Digest, Abridged, or No Mail > (vacation) mode, log into your Google account and visit this group at > http://groups.google.com/group/Azores. Click in the blue area on the > right that says "Join this group" and it will take you to "Edit my > membership." > -- To unsubscribe from this group, send email to azores+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. Follow the confirmation directions when they arrive. For more options, such as changing to List, Digest, Abridged, or No Mail (vacation) mode, log into your Google account and visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/Azores. Click in the blue area on the right that says "Join this group" and it will take you to "Edit my membership."
RE: [AZORES-Genealogy] Writing the family history
My maternal grandfather was an alcoholic; a horrible disease. It was interesting to discover how many generations back the alcoholism went as I found an ancestor in the mid-1800's who was a prominent settler of a new town in Georgia, but died young of alcoholism. You can track generation after generation to current day where the alcoholism still exists in the family lineage. On my husband's line, there is a genetic bicuspid value problem in the family. I've noted it in my research records so other family members can be on the lookout for the genetic defect in their medical care. There are other family stories that I have not been able to investigate and certify, so I haven't added them to my research records. One story was that my Azorean grandmother's brother was killed by the Portguese mafia by being thrown off the train between Bakersfield and Fresno. Was there a Portuguese mafia in Central California? Was this a tall tale or true? Who knows...the research continues... Debbie Wolgemuth Researching Azoreans: Jorge (Flores), Freitas (Flores), Enos (San Miguel), Silveira Matos (Faial), Rodrigues (unknown) Immigrated to: Merced, CA Date: Mon, 10 Sep 2012 11:36:16 -0700 From: lensi...@lenstudio.com To: azores@googlegroups.com Subject: [AZORES-Genealogy] Writing the family history I have been researching my grandfather in the hopes of writing a history for the coming generations and to satisfy the curiosity of my family about their heritage. After some research, I find that the kindly old man that I knew as a child may not have been all that nice. Stories are starting to arise of abuse, excessive drinking, and estrangement of his children. My father was a product of his second marriage and cared a lot for his parents. Vovoo was an old man of 75 when I was born, and I only knew a sweet, kind old man who loved me. Now, I am finding that the children of his first marriage did not hold him in such high esteem. So, my question for the group is: If you were putting together a family history for the generations to come, how would you handle this? Most of the stories are hearsay as there is no one alive with direct knowledge, but there must be something to them. I am inclined to be very honest in relating family stories, but I wonder how some of you might handle this. Thanks for your input, Len -- To unsubscribe from this group, send email to azores+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. Follow the confirmation directions when they arrive. For more options, such as changing to List, Digest, Abridged, or No Mail (vacation) mode, log into your Google account and visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/Azores. Click in the blue area on the right that says "Join this group" and it will take you to "Edit my membership." -- To unsubscribe from this group, send email to azores+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. Follow the confirmation directions when they arrive. For more options, such as changing to List, Digest, Abridged, or No Mail (vacation) mode, log into your Google account and visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/Azores. Click in the blue area on the right that says "Join this group" and it will take you to "Edit my membership."
Re: [AZORES-Genealogy] Writing the family history
sometimes that second marriage was a second chance. Whatever it was as you say it's hearsay. Your family history is exactly that YOUR history. Facts are facts. Like births, deaths etc. On Mon, Sep 10, 2012 at 11:36 AM, Leonard Silva wrote: > I have been researching my grandfather in the hopes of writing a history > for the coming generations and to satisfy the curiosity of my family about > their heritage. > > After some research, I find that the kindly old man that I knew as a child > may not have been all that nice. Stories are starting to arise of abuse, > excessive drinking, and estrangement of his children. > > My father was a product of his second marriage and cared a lot for his > parents. Vovoo was an old man of 75 when I was born, and I only knew a > sweet, kind old man who loved me. Now, I am finding that the children of > his first marriage did not hold him in such high esteem. > > So, my question for the group is: If you were putting together a family > history for the generations to come, how would you handle this? > > Most of the stories are hearsay as there is no one alive with direct > knowledge, but there must be something to them. > > I am inclined to be very honest in relating family stories, but I wonder > how some of you might handle this. > > Thanks for your input, > > Len > > -- > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to > azores+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. Follow the confirmation directions > when they arrive. > For more options, such as changing to List, Digest, Abridged, or No Mail > (vacation) mode, log into your Google account and visit this group at > http://groups.google.com/group/Azores. Click in the blue area on the > right that says "Join this group" and it will take you to "Edit my > membership." -- To unsubscribe from this group, send email to azores+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. Follow the confirmation directions when they arrive. For more options, such as changing to List, Digest, Abridged, or No Mail (vacation) mode, log into your Google account and visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/Azores. Click in the blue area on the right that says "Join this group" and it will take you to "Edit my membership."
Re: [AZORES-Genealogy] Writing the family history
I write and put the truth. How else are they going to see the whole picture. We have alcohlics on my Fathers side, and after doing the genealogy and talking with relatives I know why. I am not one to sugar coat things anyways. But I also put both views, because one person's perception of a person is not the same as someone else. They may have had a different relationship. For example 4 sisters living in the same house 2 have horror stories and the other 2 say he was best person. I think you need to decide what you want future generations to know so its a personal decision. On Tue, Sep 11, 2012 at 11:08 AM, Sam Koester wrote: > Len, You have probably heard all the opinions on this subject that you > want to but, I must ring in with agreement with Sonia and others who’s > opinion is that a “family history” should tell the complete story. My > feeling is that we get enough information that has been filtered. I would > want to know the real story of my ancestors. What is fact, is fact and > what is hearsay is hearsay and that should be made clear, of course. Other > than that, you are attempting family history, not a novel. Just my 2 cents > worth and best of luck, Sam in CA > > ** ** > > ** ** > > There are big differences between recording a family's genealogy (names, > places, dates) and telling family history (the context to the names, > places, dates). What you're asking, is if in telling the *family history*you > should include the less 'savory' aspects. > > My answer as somebody who gathers these histories and who preserves the > documents that allow for the histories to be written is yes, include it > all. Make it clear to the reader that this is family lore, but the reality > is that within every 'fable' there is a kernel of truth. > > Sonia > > > > -- > > -- > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to > azores+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. Follow the confirmation directions > when they arrive. > For more options, such as changing to List, Digest, Abridged, or No Mail > (vacation) mode, log into your Google account and visit this group at > http://groups.google.com/group/Azores. Click in the blue area on the > right that says "Join this group" and it will take you to "Edit my > membership." > -- To unsubscribe from this group, send email to azores+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. Follow the confirmation directions when they arrive. For more options, such as changing to List, Digest, Abridged, or No Mail (vacation) mode, log into your Google account and visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/Azores. Click in the blue area on the right that says "Join this group" and it will take you to "Edit my membership."
RE: [AZORES-Genealogy] Writing the family history
Len, You have probably heard all the opinions on this subject that you want to but, I must ring in with agreement with Sonia and others who's opinion is that a "family history" should tell the complete story. My feeling is that we get enough information that has been filtered. I would want to know the real story of my ancestors. What is fact, is fact and what is hearsay is hearsay and that should be made clear, of course. Other than that, you are attempting family history, not a novel. Just my 2 cents worth and best of luck, Sam in CA There are big differences between recording a family's genealogy (names, places, dates) and telling family history (the context to the names, places, dates). What you're asking, is if in telling the family history you should include the less 'savory' aspects. My answer as somebody who gathers these histories and who preserves the documents that allow for the histories to be written is yes, include it all. Make it clear to the reader that this is family lore, but the reality is that within every 'fable' there is a kernel of truth. Sonia _ -- To unsubscribe from this group, send email to azores+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. Follow the confirmation directions when they arrive. For more options, such as changing to List, Digest, Abridged, or No Mail (vacation) mode, log into your Google account and visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/Azores. Click in the blue area on the right that says "Join this group" and it will take you to "Edit my membership."
Re: [AZORES-Genealogy] Writing the family history
Len: Just tell it as you hear it. Everyone needs to know the TRUTH about their ancestors. If the truth hurts, so-be-it. Shirley in CA - Original Message - From: Leonard Silva To: azores@googlegroups.com Sent: Monday, September 10, 2012 11:36 AM Subject: [AZORES-Genealogy] Writing the family history I have been researching my grandfather in the hopes of writing a history for the coming generations and to satisfy the curiosity of my family about their heritage. After some research, I find that the kindly old man that I knew as a child may not have been all that nice. Stories are starting to arise of abuse, excessive drinking, and estrangement of his children. My father was a product of his second marriage and cared a lot for his parents. Vovoo was an old man of 75 when I was born, and I only knew a sweet, kind old man who loved me. Now, I am finding that the children of his first marriage did not hold him in such high esteem. So, my question for the group is: If you were putting together a family history for the generations to come, how would you handle this? Most of the stories are hearsay as there is no one alive with direct knowledge, but there must be something to them. I am inclined to be very honest in relating family stories, but I wonder how some of you might handle this. Thanks for your input, Len -- To unsubscribe from this group, send email to azores+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. Follow the confirmation directions when they arrive. For more options, such as changing to List, Digest, Abridged, or No Mail (vacation) mode, log into your Google account and visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/Azores. Click in the blue area on the right that says "Join this group" and it will take you to "Edit my membership." -- To unsubscribe from this group, send email to azores+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. Follow the confirmation directions when they arrive. For more options, such as changing to List, Digest, Abridged, or No Mail (vacation) mode, log into your Google account and visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/Azores. Click in the blue area on the right that says "Join this group" and it will take you to "Edit my membership."
Re: [AZORES-Genealogy] Writing the family history
Hi! I did read in a newspaper of the time about one ancestor who was so drunk that he missed the last train home so started walking. When he got tired, he went to sleep on the train tracks whereupon a train ran over him. Embarrassing since I don't drink at all, but there is the newspaper article - Shirl - -- To unsubscribe from this group, send email to azores+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. Follow the confirmation directions when they arrive. For more options, such as changing to List, Digest, Abridged, or No Mail (vacation) mode, log into your Google account and visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/Azores. Click in the blue area on the right that says "Join this group" and it will take you to "Edit my membership."
Re: [AZORES-Genealogy] Writing the family history
There are big differences between recording a family's genealogy (names, places, dates) and telling family history (the context to the names, places, dates). What you're asking, is if in telling the family history you should include the less 'savory' aspects. My answer as somebody who gathers these histories and who preserves the documents that allow for the histories to be written is yes, include it all. Make it clear to the reader that this is family lore, but the reality is that within every 'fable' there is a kernel of truth. Sonia - Original Message - From: "Leonard Silva" To: azores@googlegroups.com Sent: Monday, September 10, 2012 2:36:16 PM Subject: [AZORES-Genealogy] Writing the family history I have been researching my grandfather in the hopes of writing a history for the coming generations and to satisfy the curiosity of my family about their heritage. After some research, I find that the kindly old man that I knew as a child may not have been all that nice. Stories are starting to arise of abuse, excessive drinking, and estrangement of his children. My father was a product of his second marriage and cared a lot for his parents. Vovoo was an old man of 75 when I was born, and I only knew a sweet, kind old man who loved me. Now, I am finding that the children of his first marriage did not hold him in such high esteem. So, my question for the group is: If you were putting together a family history for the generations to come, how would you handle this? Most of the stories are hearsay as there is no one alive with direct knowledge, but there must be something to them. I am inclined to be very honest in relating family stories, but I wonder how some of you might handle this. Thanks for your input, Len -- To unsubscribe from this group, send email to azores+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. Follow the confirmation directions when they arrive. For more options, such as changing to List, Digest, Abridged, or No Mail (vacation) mode, log into your Google account and visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/Azores . Click in the blue area on the right that says "Join this group" and it will take you to "Edit my membership." -- To unsubscribe from this group, send email to azores+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. Follow the confirmation directions when they arrive. For more options, such as changing to List, Digest, Abridged, or No Mail (vacation) mode, log into your Google account and visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/Azores. Click in the blue area on the right that says "Join this group" and it will take you to "Edit my membership."
Re: [AZORES-Genealogy] Writing the family history
Len ~ This is very personal, and each of us has to make that same decision regarding some of our ancestors. What I decided, was how do I want each of these ancestors remembered? Some of my memories are not from the passed generation. Where stories are being retold, with a possible twist in the telling. The Ancestor of yesterday, obviously being gone, is not able to refute the charges or tell their side of the story. And like any accident, if you have 3 witnesses, you have 3 different versions of the same accident plus the accounts of the two involved. That's 5 different accounts. What I have chosen to do, especially with a few of my flawed relatives, was to just make a few notes about their better qualities that I would want them to be remembered by. On the other hand, if there was criminal activity, I would include that story along with any source that provided those facts. It's your family history, and you can write about "your" interactions with the people as they affected you. Now if you want to write what others had to say, you can always use their words and their name as your source, but be sure you have their written permission first. AVA In a message dated 9/10/2012 1:52:43 P.M. Mountain Daylight Time (Me, lensi...@lenstudio.com writes: I have been researching my grandfather in the hopes of writing a history for the coming generations and to satisfy the curiosity of my family about their heritage. After some research, I find that the kindly old man that I knew as a child may not have been all that nice. Stories are starting to arise of abuse, excessive drinking, and estrangement of his children. My father was a product of his second marriage and cared a lot for his parents. Vovoo was an old man of 75 when I was born, and I only knew a sweet, kind old man who loved me. Now, I am finding that the children of his first marriage did not hold him in such high esteem. So, my question for the group is: If you were putting together a family history for the generations to come, how would you handle this? Most of the stories are hearsay as there is no one alive with direct knowledge, but there must be something to them. I am inclined to be very honest in relating family stories, but I wonder how some of you might handle this. Thanks for your input, Len -- To unsubscribe from this group, send email to azores+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. Follow the confirmation directions when they arrive. For more options, such as changing to List, Digest, Abridged, or No Mail (vacation) mode, log into your Google account and visit this group at _http://groups.google.com/group/Azores_ (http://groups.google.com/group/Azores) . Click in the blue area on the right that says "Join this group" and it will take you to "Edit my membership." -- To unsubscribe from this group, send email to azores+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. Follow the confirmation directions when they arrive. For more options, such as changing to List, Digest, Abridged, or No Mail (vacation) mode, log into your Google account and visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/Azores. Click in the blue area on the right that says "Join this group" and it will take you to "Edit my membership."
Re: [AZORES-Genealogy] Writing the family history
I have quite a bit of alcoholism in my family. It is a disease. It causes exactly the type of history that you are hearing. I usually put it in the family history "as told to me" with mention of the caution that addiction runs in families. I would definitely state exactly what you said about the man you knew. That tells folks that the behavior does not have to continue. JoElayne Ferre' Johnson From: Leonard Silva To: azores@googlegroups.com Sent: Monday, September 10, 2012 11:36 AM Subject: [AZORES-Genealogy] Writing the family history I have been researching my grandfather in the hopes of writing a history for the coming generations and to satisfy the curiosity of my family about their heritage. After some research, I find that the kindly old man that I knew as a child may not have been all that nice. Stories are starting to arise of abuse, excessive drinking, and estrangement of his children. My father was a product of his second marriage and cared a lot for his parents. Vovoo was an old man of 75 when I was born, and I only knew a sweet, kind old man who loved me. Now, I am finding that the children of his first marriage did not hold him in such high esteem. So, my question for the group is: If you were putting together a family history for the generations to come, how would you handle this? Most of the stories are hearsay as there is no one alive with direct knowledge, but there must be something to them. I am inclined to be very honest in relating family stories, but I wonder how some of you might handle this. Thanks for your input, Len -- To unsubscribe from this group, send email to azores+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. Follow the confirmation directions when they arrive. For more options, such as changing to List, Digest, Abridged, or No Mail (vacation) mode, log into your Google account and visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/Azores. Click in the blue area on the right that says "Join this group" and it will take you to "Edit my membership." -- To unsubscribe from this group, send email to azores+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. Follow the confirmation directions when they arrive. For more options, such as changing to List, Digest, Abridged, or No Mail (vacation) mode, log into your Google account and visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/Azores. Click in the blue area on the right that says "Join this group" and it will take you to "Edit my membership."
Re: [AZORES-Genealogy] Writing the family history
I think I'd put it in my genealogy program and mark it as private. It's hearsay and I'd leave it at that. Cheri Mello Listowner, Azores-Gen Researching: Vila Franca, Ponta Garca, Ribeira Quente, Ribeira das Tainhas, Achada -- To unsubscribe from this group, send email to azores+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. Follow the confirmation directions when they arrive. For more options, such as changing to List, Digest, Abridged, or No Mail (vacation) mode, log into your Google account and visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/Azores. Click in the blue area on the right that says "Join this group" and it will take you to "Edit my membership."
[AZORES-Genealogy] Writing the family history
I have been researching my grandfather in the hopes of writing a history for the coming generations and to satisfy the curiosity of my family about their heritage. After some research, I find that the kindly old man that I knew as a child may not have been all that nice. Stories are starting to arise of abuse, excessive drinking, and estrangement of his children. My father was a product of his second marriage and cared a lot for his parents. Vovoo was an old man of 75 when I was born, and I only knew a sweet, kind old man who loved me. Now, I am finding that the children of his first marriage did not hold him in such high esteem. So, my question for the group is: If you were putting together a family history for the generations to come, how would you handle this? Most of the stories are hearsay as there is no one alive with direct knowledge, but there must be something to them. I am inclined to be very honest in relating family stories, but I wonder how some of you might handle this. Thanks for your input, Len -- To unsubscribe from this group, send email to azores+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. Follow the confirmation directions when they arrive. For more options, such as changing to List, Digest, Abridged, or No Mail (vacation) mode, log into your Google account and visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/Azores. Click in the blue area on the right that says "Join this group" and it will take you to "Edit my membership."
