What is a genealogist?

[Sue Mackay]

Sorry folks, have been away from my duties for two weeks enjoying SUNSHINE in France and Italy. Am now back, and found this in my bulging e-mail inbox. Obviously originated in the USA, but just as true over here - apart from the peanut butter sandwiches!

WHAT IS A GENEALOGIST?
A full-time detective
A thorough historian
An inveterate snoop
A confirmed diplomat
A keen observer
A hardened sceptic
An apt biographer
A qualified linguist
A part-time lawyer
A studious sociologist
An accurate reporter
An hieroglyphics expert,
AND . . .
A complete nut!

ARE YOU A GENEALOGIST?
Person:

• wide-brimmed hat to ward off sun & rain in cemeteries
• trifocal glasses
• muscular right arm from cranking microfilm readers
• carpal tunnel syndrome from using computer
• writer's cramp from taking notes
• shirt with large pockets for pencils & membership cards
• vest with pedigree chart on back for others to read
• coin changer on belt for photocopy machines
• knee pads for finding books on low shelves
• sensible shoes

Satchel:

• portable computer
• camera with black-and-white film for gravestones
• many file folders with charts
• pencils of various colors
• peanut butter sandwiches
• aspirin

"In all of us there is a hunger, marrow deep, to know our heritage - to know who we are and where we came from. Without this enriching knowledge, there is a hollow yearning. No matter what our attainments in life, there is still a vacuum, an emptiness, and the most disquieting loneliness." -- Alex Haley, Roots

You live as long as you are remembered. -- Russian proverb

Top 10 Indicators that you've become a gene-aholic:

1. You introduce your daughter as your descendent.
2. You've never met any of the people you send e-mail to, even though you're related.
3. You can recite your lineage back eight generations, but can't remember your nephew's name.
4. You have more photographs of dead people than living ones.
5. You've taken a tape recorder and/or notebook to a family reunion.
6. You've not only read the latest GEDCOM standard, but you also understand it.
7. The local genealogy society borrows books from you.
8. The only film you've seen in the last year was the 1880 census index.
9. More than half of your book collection is made up of marriage records or pedigrees.
10. Your elusive ancestor has been spotted in more different places than Elvis!

[MythicalMarian]

Love it, Sue - I can so relate...as they say in the States! The trifocal glasses got me. I started out in 1985 with perfect eyesight - now I squint at everything up close. I swear it's the fault of the micro-readers over the years.

[spison]

Thanks Sue,
As yet haven't introduced my daughter as my descendent and take cheese sandwiches and a digital camera on my trecks.

MythicalMarian - I'm sure you're right but it's because the ink has faded. It has nothing to do with your vision!

I'm sure my children consider me a complete nut but I consider myself a genealogist.
Jane

[susan-y]

That is very good. Alot applies to me, however 2 of the people I email I have had the fortune to meet this Spring...both distant cousins on my Mom's side. One here in Ontario and the other from London, England. I do love peanut butter sandwiches and I am sure I am getting carpal tunnel

Sue

[Waitabit]

Peanut butter & Honey..Peanut butter & cheese..Peanut butter & celery..Peanut butter & Nutella..& Apricot jam..& the list goes on. yep I quite like it too.
I have only 4 of the other items, one hurts.. I must get out more!