The search for finding our ancestral trail, our roots, has been a favorite pastime for many. The need to connect is great, to know where we came from, our heritage, our beginnings. For me, it was humbling to know that their lives, their hardships, their everyday lives -- had something to do with who I am today, where I came from, and maybe even where I'm going. Fortunately for me, my brothers had already done all the legwork, being the genealogy buffs that they are, since they have already found our long lost ancestors through death records, cemeteries, and talking with surviving family members. A visit to a graveyard for them is a walk in the park, so to speak.
On our trip to the Emerald Isle, my husband Michael and I found the small town where my ancestors Marie and Hugh Dooley were wed and began their family. We strolled the streets, ate at the local pub, talked with the locals. The importance of their particular generation is that Hugh, followed by Marie and their three children, eventually emigrated to America -- Brooklyn, New York, as a matter of record. From there, it was easy to trace their lives, their growing families and eventually, their deaths. I have also learned that William Wallace was my 21st-great grandfather, and singer Madonna is my fourth cousin (although she has yet to answer my e-mails!)
There are many resources to trace your ancestry - the best being the Internet. It takes time, patience and a lot of detective work. But it's worth it. Sometimes only by looking back can we appreciate where we are headed. Here are some good places to start:
www.ancestory.com
www.familysearch.org
www.genealogy.com
and www.cyndislist.com
Comments about this column? MMalloy@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000, ext. 202.
