Can we really learn more about OURSELVES by studying our ancestors? Many people talk about having a connection with those who have gone before but there are also some who do not believe that privilege is available to everyone and question whether they are entitled to that kind of experience.  I personally and emphatically believe we all can find connections to our ancestors! You just have to know how to access it- or even know how to get started.  

     These tips are in no certain order, (in fact, you can pick and choose from these ideas), but are a few ways to begin to connect to YOUR ancestors.

If you are fortunate enough to have written stories and memories of your ancestors, read them! Stories have the power to connect us with others in a way that nothing else can. As you read those stories, try to relate and imagine what they went through. What qualities did your ancestor possess that are admirable to you? What similarities do you find in their stories to your life? Do you notice any personality similarities? Even if their experiences were different than your own, ponder why they told the stories they did. What do you think they wanted their posterity to know? Why were they important to document and share? Take time to appreciate the gift of those stories and memories. They truly are a gift!

 This photo comparison above is of my great grandmother on the left and my daughter on the right Aren’t they both so beautiful? I’m so proud! And although my daughter may not be an exact spitting-image of her great-great-grandmother, I definitely see a close resemblance. I absolutely love doing photo comparisons with my family photos. It’s so fun to see how different family members can take after someone so much- even a few generations back.

 Some of you may say, “Well, you are so lucky to have photos of your ancestors because I don’t have any!” If so, guess what? Neither did I when I began this journey.  I literally had NONE!

Through researching my family, I was able to find some online (Mostly on Ancestry.com) and I found many others through asking extended family members- often times, I did not know them beforehand. 

Once you have gathered some photos, take the time to study them. Look at your ancestors’ features and expressions (remember that many old cameras had very slow shutters, and the subjects were told not to smile but sit very still so that the photo wouldn’t be blurry). Observe their clothes, their surroundings, and any other clues you can glean from the picture.

What can you gather about their lives from that photo? Make a list of ideas. As you study their features, what or who do you see? Do you see any similarities to yourself or other family members? Do some side by side comparisons and look for resemblances. Makes notes of your observations so you can combine your ideas with additional research.

When I began to make photo comparisons with my own ancestors’ photos and my living family, I had a fascinating realization. It seems to me when there’s a physical connection; there is often a very spiritual connection to those ancestors too. We inherit more than physical features. Personality, temperament, and talents are also often inherited.

Family history can be a mirror into who we are and why- if you are willing to look! The beautiful thing is that we usually reflect traits from more than one ancestor, although sometimes we may favor one more than another. This gives us the opportunity to investigate many ancestors and find connections with each one of them. Photos are a fun place to explore, but they, alone, will not teach you enough about your ancestors to make a genuine connection. You need details of their life as well.

To really get to know your ancestors, you need to research their life and gather as many details as you can. Collect the unwritten stories and details from living family members if available.  If that isn’t possible, study their life through their records and historical context.  Here is a simple checklist to get you started:  

1. Start by creating a timeline of your ancestor’s life from birth to death dates. As you review documents and information, you can fill in the events and places. This will also show you any “gaps” in information and years and help you to know what to look for. 
2. As mentioned earlier, look for stories on family history sites such as Family Search and Ancestry that other family members have contributed. Benefit from the work of others! 
3. Use census reports to learn where they were born, where they lived during that census, what their profession was, and who they lived with, etc. Census reports can sometimes give you a lot of information. Make sure the VIEW THE IMAGE as it often has more information than what is given on the index. 
4. Research the geography and legal history of your family’s location. Understanding these factors can give you a deeper perspective of the circumstances of your family and also help you to understand why they made the choices they did.
5. Land records can give you specific information and dates to the family homestead and can help you to know when they may have moved from another town/ state/ country to their new land. 
6. Church records can help confirm vital events like births/ baptisms, marriages, and deaths.
7. Family records, such as found in family bibles, can give wonderful details into birth, marriage, and death information for family members. This is especially helpful for children who may not have lived long enough to be on a census record. I have found some of these bible records on Ancestry.com.
8. Newspapers can hold a treasure trove of information- and even photos. You can often find birth, marriage, military, death, and relocation announcements- not to mention this is where you may find some mysteries and scandals!
9. Document all the children they had and research them as well. By researching the whole family, you will discover a much richer story and find answers to questions than you would if you only research your direct line ancestors. 
10. Find out if any of their children died young or went off to war, etc.
11. What difficulties and trials did they overcome?
12. Look in family books if available. These can be invaluable resources. Click the link below for a tutorial on how to find these books {for FREE} online.  

After you have compiled all the information you can find on your ancestor, review it and think about their life from a personal stand-point. These were real people with real lives. What did they overcome? What did they work to accomplish? What was their legacy? 

‘DNA and genetics are truly remarkable! I continue to be enlightened by this journey of learning of my ancestors through my DNA results. I took a DNA test through Ancestry.com and have loved their features and results! Their genetic bank is the largest in the world (hence more matches), their science is advancing very quickly, and I am learning new things all the time about who I am through my DNA! 

I never thought I looked like either of my parents very much but now I think I mostly take after two of my great grandparents. As I gathered any known information from living family members about them, I was so amazed to see that my DNA confirmed that I had a very strong genetic connection to those great grandparents. 

The first one is my great grandmother in the photo posted above with my daughter. Her name was Ellen and I was the only child to inherit her blood type (that skipped two generations before passed down to me). She was my father’s paternal grandmother.  (If you’d like to read more about how my connection to her grew through a very difficult time in my life, you can READ HERE.) 

I also feel a special connection and kinship to my great-grandfather on my mothers side. I got his close-set eyes (my mom did not! She got her dad’s Irish eyes ). I’ve learned through stories about him that I also got his over-protectiveness. I am not very outspoken but if someone I love is being threatened, all inhibitions go out the window. I can defend others much better than I can defend myself! Go figure. Ha! I was amazed upon doing our DNA tests to learn that I matched his side of the family higher than my sisters did. So, was my spirit connected and drawn to him as well? I believe it was. 

Make notes of each family line that you are connected strongly to -emotionally or genetically- and any details that described the family.  What were their lives like? What were their livelihoods, talents, traditions, religion, etc.  How do you feel about each of those lifestyles? Have you shared any similar life experiences? 

Also, make a list of WHO YOU ARE to the core.  What are your talents, fears, beliefs, etc.  Start making comparisons to see if you think any of those things could be inherited. How are you similar or different from your immediate family members? If everyone was a product of their environment, then all siblings would turn out the same.  Right? (Or, for the most part.)

But they don’t. There is much more to us than just environmental influences and genetics play a big role in who we are. 

This may sound like a tedious process, but actually, it is so FUN!  You will find that discovering connections typically won’t be difficult or forced at all.  As you learn about your ancestors or look at that photo, you will feel something inside of you. It will come naturally. Sometimes you will connect over a similarity or common trait or talent.  But most often, you will connect over love. As you discover what your ancestor’s life was like, even if you can’t relate, you will have an admiration for them and love them for their strength, faith, and endurance.  That connection will continue to grow and you will feel that they are part of you and you are part of them. 

And really, weren’t they all along? I certainly believe so! I just think we may not have taken the time to notice.  Learning about my ancestors has been one of the greatest things I have ever done.  It’s hard to explain the power and love that accompanies this journey- much like it is hard to explain a parent’s love for a child.  But it is natural and incredibly strong and can come on so suddenly.  If you haven’t had that experience yet, don’t give up. Keep learning and searching and one day, I know you will have an opportunity to love and connect with your ancestors. 

Have you had any experiences connecting with your ancestors? I’d love to hear about it. Comment below!