Anyways...
Yesterday was one of those excellent minor holidays that deserves a lot more attention.
In my family there are three girls. We are an all sister household. Later in life we have added an "alter child" and a bff turned brother.
Often when we are working on family history, we are most concerned with our direct line. Who were my grandfather's parents? Who was his father's father?
For anyone who knows how babies are made, there are only two people that contribute. Sorry if that was a spoiler for anyone taking biology or sex ed this year in school.
However, we need to also be concerned with siblings. When I began this journey into the roots of my family tree, there was nothing formally or digitally recorded for my mom's side of the family. For my dad's side, it would appear that he was a product of twelve generations of only children having only children.
Except, no.
My dad has five siblings. My mom has three.
Now, some people genuinely are only children. Cool! But for the most part, that is going to be rare. My dad's family has German and Prussian roots. Yeah. Finding an only child in those branches will be unusual.
As I work on my family history, I can't imagine excluding my sisters.
I am not meant to be solo.
As I learn about my ancestors, I know that their families and siblings shaped them into the people they became which would effect who they were, how they raised their children, and the habits and traditions that were passed down to me.
What would we be without our siblings?
I am positive that I would be a very different person without my sisters.
As we work on our family trees, it may become frustrating to find that one missing kid.
Keep at it! Don't give up! You aren't searching for a name and a handful of numbers, you are looking for a person. A real person who matters.
I love using that phrase with family history.
Each and every member contributes to the family dynamic. We all create it together! And THAT my friends is why we can't forget anyone. It would be like leaving out an ingredient in a recipe - without it, the recipe wouldn't taste right. Without that missing person, the family just won't be right.
This picture is my lovely mom, the baby is my middle sister, I am the dynamic redhead and my perfect water baby completes the photo (man, did I love that doll). This was taken in my Nana's kitchen in New Hampshire. I can't imagine my childhood without my little sister.
Here is all three of us girls with my dad on his birthday (my mom is the photographer). We are an awesome family!
On my family tree I have included my sisters.
But what about the other siblings? I mentioned that my dad has five siblings...what about their kids? I need them! My mom has three siblings who have kids! I need them too!
What would life be without my cousins? Could I even pretend my family tree is accurate without them all on there?
No. Nope. Not even.
My father's siblings helped shape who he became. The details of his life are vital to understand who he is, which effected the decisions he has made. My mom was a navy kid with three siblings and that has made an impact on our family.
All of these cousin pictures are a few years old. Some even older than a "few years." Our family dynamic has changed now. My parents had three kids but now have five. Those two extra people are important to us! My middle sister got married a few years ago and her husband is an important member of our family.
We are a silly bunch ;)
So how accurate would it be for my distant and future great-great-granddaughter to leave my siblings off of my family tree? It wouldn't reflect who we are, or who we are becoming.
Celebrate Sisters Day, even if it is a day late. Find those siblings on your tree - they are vital to clearly seeing your family's past and in discovering more about yourself.
Sometimes in order to go forward, we have to look back. Look to your past and your family tree. They need to be found and you need to find.
Happy Hunting!
Lots of Love from the Heritage Huntress and Bat Family!
