Abstract
Genealogical research often focuses to varying degrees on the family tree and the ancestors that inhabit it, often ignoring, or at least downplaying, broader issues. There is, however, much scope for broadening the research by adding leaves and flowers to the fruit (the people) on the tree. The broader context to a person’s ancestry is often intriguing and enlightening, providing background information that places the people in their environments, perhaps explaining their actions and lifestyles in the process. Two aspects of this context are dealt with here. The first aspect relates to the place in which each person lives, in other words, to their geographical environment, both natural and social or human made. Secondly, their personal heritage is considered: this includes the most important items in their lives, perhaps inconsequential to others but with long-term meaning for them and quite possibly for their descendants. Other broader aspects of heritage may well be relevant, too.
Highlights
Aplin (2002, p. 1) begins the Introduction to his book on heritage with the following passage: We are all products of our personal and collective pasts, including those of our forebears and of local, ethnic, religious, and other groups to which we belong.That, applies to our ancestors, those people on our family trees: their pasts are by extension, our pasts
Two interrelated aspects of those pasts and of that narrative are the environments in which each person lived periods of their life, often termed their homeland(s), and what they saw as being the most important aspects of their heritage
Ask them about places and relevant heritage features, as well as about the people as such. They will often be a fount of information that will help give context to the people on the family tree
Summary
Aplin (2002, p. 1) begins the Introduction to his book on heritage with the following passage: We are all products of our personal and collective pasts, including those of our forebears and of local, ethnic, religious, and other groups to which we belong. Applies to our ancestors, those people on our family trees: their pasts are by extension, our pasts. Two interrelated aspects of those pasts and of that narrative are the environments in which each person lived periods of their life, often termed their homeland(s), and what they saw as being the most important aspects of their heritage. Each of these two aspects will be treated separately, but remember, they are in a very real sense intertwined. Details of what is possible and what approaches need to be taken will, differ from place to place
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