Genealogy Jottings

Our cousins often have family records and mementos that can help us in our research. Recently a distant cousin of mine sent me a Valentine card written by my grandmother over 60 years ago. What a thrill for me to see her familiar handwriting again. This same cousin has also sent me several family photos and other records, and I have sent him family trees and some copies of family wills.

Professional genealogists tell us to keep writing to our cousins, and one wag even advises writing to the oldest and sickest ones first. Over the years I have tried to follow this advice. I have received numerous precious photos and a lot of family information from these people. I always try to share what I have with them. Together we can compile a much more comprehensive family history than any of us could do alone.

Locating and corresponding with cousins is one of the pleasures of genealogy. I will keep writing to all of them as long as they are willing to hear from me.

Comments are closed.