As we progress further and further into the digital age, we see technology and science develop in ways our ancestors could never have imagined. Now, technology is also letting us get to know our ancestors in ways historians and genealogists could have never thought possible. Kristlee J. Manuel—author, genealogist, and family history enthusiast—has created a resource to help those interested in discovering their family’s past and helping them paint a picture of their ancestors’ lives.
Genealogy of the Past
In the past, genealogy involved traveling to the places where records were kept. It involved searching through old church records, dusty newspapers, and fuzzy microfiche, hoping to spot a familiar name. It seemed that the only people who had time for this were retirees or a great-aunt. However, nowadays there are millions of searchable records available for even amateur genealogists to look through. A person doesn’t need to have tons of free time or the ability to travel the world looking for records. Today, anyone can be a genealogist.
Finding Your Roots Today
Today, people all over the world are participating in genealogical research. Some people are adding records to various websites, like Ancestry or FamilySearch. Others are making those records searchable by reviewing records indexed by AI. People of all ages and backgrounds are looking for their ancestors.
People become involved in family history research for many reasons. Some people want to know where their ancestors came from. Adoptees want to know their biological roots. And some people, like Kristilee, find a sense of purpose and relaxation in genealogical research:
“I discovered in the work of genealogy an antidote to the stresses of modern life. Anxieties were relieved as I puzzled out who belonged on the tree. I found myself using my spare moments to do something productive and fulfilling instead of turning to devices and relaxation. It was still relaxing, I still had the benefits that come from kicking back a bit, but I was also accomplishing something that felt really important. This gave me a sense of contentment, satisfaction, and joy that do not come naturally to me and I have loved family history ever since.”
Starting Your Search
For many people, the biggest barrier to family history work is how to start. Kristilee solves this problem with her MyEducator resource, Introduction to Genealogy: A Modern Family History Methodology. She lays out the process of researching a three-generation pedigree, taking students through the big four genealogical websites (FamilySearch, Ancestry, MyHeritage, and FindMyPast) and how to search through the different types of records available.
Previous genealogy textbooks have had problems keeping up with the constant changes in genealogical processes and technology, but the MyEducator platform makes it easy to stay updated with the latest processes and information. Look for more information about Kristilee and this book at the upcoming 2025 RootsTech conference!
