So, I started this Group, see, and I really didn’t know what I was doing.
I still don’t know what I’m doing.
But what I do know is that I have an interest in genealogy and family history, and this interest is apparently shared by many Kossacks. And I’ve gotten this far in setting up a Group, Genealogy and Family History Community, so hopefully, I’ll learn how to do this Group Administrator thingy without breaking it.
(BTW, at this point, I’ve continued my diary “under the fold” because I wanted to see that little scrolling thing between the paragraphs – I think it’s pretty).
I’ve been researching my family history, and my husband’s family history, since 2002. I’ve had varying degrees of success, depending on which family line I’m tracing. I can trace my own German roots back to at least the mid-1700s, one line back to 1300. My husband’s African-American roots are, as you can imagine, a bit more challenging. However, of those individuals in his tree we know, there’s been a fair amount of very interesting detail discovered. It’s matter of quantity vs. quality. There are many more names in my tree, but much more depth in his that has current relevance.
So, we have questions about ourselves. From where do we originate? Why did we end up “here” (wherever “here” is – literally and figuratively)? Who or what earlier events contributed to our present condition? How much does our past experience influence our present; our core beliefs as liberals, our desires, our hopes, our fears, and even at times, our general malaise?
I find our family’s history to be fascinating. I wonder how it was for them, whether 100 years or 300 years ago; whether one was afraid for his life when he was conscripted into Napolean’s army and marched off to Russia (he returned – obviously), or if one was afraid for his life when he faced the Klan at his doorstep (he died shortly thereafter).
If you are interested in research, analysis and discussion of genealogy, family history, or even simply history itself, you may want to join our group. I’m hoping to get lots of Kossacks to share their own family histories (no living individuals, please), and perhaps if they have such research experience, contribute “how-to” diaries, sharing links and giving helpful suggestions.
I plan to focus the first diary on getting started, providing suggestions and guidance on tracking down ancestors and records. If you have anything you think should be included in that first diary, please include that in the comments below. Also, any suggestions for topics of future diaries is appreciated.
Also please let me know if you’d like to be an Editor or even a Co-Administrator (I could use the help – often my availability is limited and irregular). I'm also interested if members would like Group diaries posted on specific weekdays and times, or if we should just "wing it".
In the meantime, I hope to learn this Group Administrator thingy a little better. I have the feeling, some of you are going to have to explain to me how this works (I’ve had a diary in the queue for 5 days! When the hell are you going to publish it???!!!).