Why Bother Making a Family Tree

Updated July 28, 2007

I love my children, my babies, more than anything in the world. I would be devastated if my children never knew who I was and how much I love them. Likewise, I can imagine that I would love my children's babies, my grandchildren, equally. I get all gushy just thinking about it. Then there are my grandchildren's babies. Oh, I just love them too. I love all of them, and they're not even born yet (except for my current children of course). I'm proud of each of them. I want the best for them. Most importantly, I want them to know that I love them, am proud of them, and want the best for them. I want each one of those babies to know that their mommy, grandma, great grandma, ... believes that he or she is valuable and loved, the most important things a child can know. The best way a child could know and accept the knowledge that he or she is valuable and loved is to know who thinks they are valuable and who loves them, and that person is me, so they need to get acquainted with me. Since I don't plan on living several hundred years (but I certainly wouldn't protest if I did), the only way those babies can get to know me is by learning about my life, my thoughts, and my relationship with my children, grandchildren, etc. This is what I would want for future generations, and I must place myself in the shoes of my ancestors.

Did my ancestors love their babies the way that I love mine? Did they love their grandchildren? Regardless of the culture they lived in and the relationship parents had with children at the time, I believe in my heart that each of them loved their children and grandchildren, including me, as much as I love my future descendents. The only way I can honor their contribution to my life and their love for me while expressing my love for them is by getting acquainted with them.

History is interesting, but eventually the human race will no longer exist (every species faces extinction eventually), and there may be no one left to read our history. Love goes on forever, though. True, you must consider spirituality and religion in this context to come up with the conclusion that love is everlasting, but I believe it is true. History is interesting, but recording a family history and researching a family tree is a labor of love.