It's all fun and games

It's not just about the family lore.

I know. This is directly opposite to what I last posted, It's not always about the facts. But? Both statements are true.

You see, the family lore, rumors, and stories can lead to the facts via supporting documentation. And I say, "can" because sometimes finding details about our ancestors can lead to facts and sometimes they can't. For example, via a Facebook connection with a cousin which led to a connection with an estranged aunt via phone and letter, I recently found out that my grandfather liked to walk around his house in his underwear - no matter who was home at the time, which, according to my aunt, irritated and appalled his mother-in-law, my great-grandmother.

Now, can I verify this with any sort of primary documentation? I dunno. I currently have a lead on some more, um, revealing information {Sorry. Couldn't help myself.} on my grandfather via some documentation of an arson investigation which involved my grandfather that occurred less than a year before my grandfather committed suicide. And I'm not sure why he was investigated, but if for some reason the San Antonio arson investigators interviewed my great grandmother about my grandfather, it's entirely possible that she told them he walked around in his underwear at home in front of whomever was home at the time. And, of course, her version of events are definitely tainted. Why? Because she really didn't like him. {And don't think for a minute that I'm not gonna run this lead down at the City of San Antonio Archives.} 

Now, I say this in jest. Sort of. The point, really, is that you should look and keep looking for more information about your ancestors.

And look everywhere...online and offline...using whatever tools and technology you can - phones, smartphones, tablets, social media networks, blogging, Googling, archives, courthouses, longhand letters {Remember those?}, microfilm, etc.

You just never know what might be revealed in those boring staid documents.

You just never know when a rumor or family lore will be disproved or proven.

Or somewhere in between.

You just never know what tool or piece of technology is going to make a difference.

The family lore and rumors are interesting and essential.

The facts and documents that reveal that your it's-been-said-that-I-love-to-prance-around-in-my-underwear-at-home grandfather committed suicide and was investigated for arson are even better. {And I mean no disrespect to him. He was definitely troubled, and my heart goes out to him. However, from a researcher's perspective, he's left some nice paper trails.}

And? Then think of that family story you can write about.

Family lore can lead to Facts which in turn lead to Family Stories.

It's all fun and games until someone says, "Your grandfather liked to walk around his house in just his underwear no matter who was home at the time."

And then we're all business, my friends. All business.

~Caroline

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