With the Holiday Season now into full swing, some
genealogists have to let family research go until after the New Year… others
will take this opportunity to connect with relatives, add new branches to the
family tree, and otherwise further their research!
While I find the hustle and bustle of Holiday activities
leaves little time for active genealogy research, I do use the opportunity to try
and connect with “long lost, far flung relatives”…. There are always countless living, breathing “cousins”
out there that I’d like to connect with and in doing so, add information or
find others also interested in genealogy.
I do this by sending a Holiday greeting card and brief
introductory letter along with a very bare bones breakdown of our connection…… Which looks something like this...
Common Ancestor [born-died]
My ancestor --- siblings --- Their Ancestor
My ancestor --- 1st Cousin --- Their Ancestor
My Grandparent --- 2nd Cousin --- Their Grandparent
My Parent --- 3rd Cousin --- Their Parent
Me --- 4th Cousin
--- Them
While very basic, it gives the basics without overwhelming someone who has little genealogy knowledge.
While talking briefly about genealogy, I also speak of
meeting and finding new “cousins”…. And also say that while I realize they
might not have interest in family history, perhaps they know one of their
relatives who does... and how I’d love to be put in contact with them… and so on
and so forth. Also expressing my
understanding that the Holidays are a busy time for everyone but that it would
be great to connect in the New Year!
[This gives us both the permission to put any extensive communication
off for a month or so!]
I’ve been doing this random cousin greeting card exchange
for a few years now and while I never do hear from some, others do write back and we have
fostered great family relationships!
I usually send out 10 or so each year... but you could do as many or as few as you want. In fact, this year I am sending out about 20.
This is one way that I’ve been able to incorporate genealogy
into my busy Holiday schedule.
Do you attempt any form of genealogy research during the Holidays?
