Resolving to resolve

#52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks
 #52: Resolution

Resolving to resolve 

By Myra Vanderpool Gormley © 2018 

I knew I was in trouble when I first saw that Week 52’s “prompt” was “Resolution.” My choices were limited to make a firm decision to do or not to do something — and that is not likely to happen at my age. The other option is the action of solving a problem, dispute, or contentious matter.

 In genealogy there are many “problems,” not to mention a few disputes, and even some contentious matters. However, most of these deal with records and data that argue with each other — not with our family and friends. Although I have some cousins who insist I don’t know how to spell one of my family surnames. But, I’m stubborn and believe that finding creative spelling of names is what makes one a good genealogist. I also refuse to blindly accept 12-year-old mothers and 105-year-old ancestors. 

While it would be nice to make a resolution to try to solve my various genealogical problems, the solutions may be beyond my capabilities or access to records that I need. There’s also the possibility that some records simply do not exist — a price one pays when descended from so many Colonial ancestors who deliberately chose to live in places where courthouses burned, wars were fought, and stubborn folks refused to leave paper trails. 

I’ve even played around with the idea of compiling a list of all of my female ancestors for whom I have no, or an unproven, maiden name and resolve to find answers. That resolution would last until some bright and shiny potential new ancestor came along and I’d be off on another hunting expedition. Alas, I know myself well. 

I could resolve to continue the almost daily updating and housecleaning of my several one-name databases, but this is an endless thankless job I do because, well, just because — I blame it on my Dutch and German genes. 

Speaking of genes, DNA research is fast becoming a tool and a curse. As more people participate and post their trees, I’m finding connections to many new cousins. I’m ever hopeful that some will have family Bibles, photos and other material to share. But I certainly don’t need a resolution to do this. DNA matches are almost as addictive as searching genealogy trees and GEDCOMs. 

2019 is going to bring another #52 Ancestors in 52 weeks challenge, and I don’t need a resolution to do that either. Writing stories about ancestors instead of placing them on colorless trees is much more fun and offers a creative outlet too.

 So, I guess if I’m going to resolve to do anything — genealogically — this coming year, it will be to keep on keeping on. Watch out ancestors in hiding — I’m coming after you.