They fill our libraries, bookshops, and schools. They weave
through our music, food, and the walls of our homes. Stories
create and build culture; they broaden the scope of the world
and of time. As author Madeleine L’Engle wrote, “Stories are
able to help us to become more whole, to become Named.”
A personal story passed from one family generation to the
next expands the portrait of who we are as individuals. The
stories of our lineage establish a strong sense of self. They
remind us from where we have come. Family narratives give
us a distinct spot on this large globe.
There was a time when last names indicated the tribe or
group of people to which you belonged, your place of origin,
even your occupation. Stories and family legends were passed
through oral tradition from one generation to the next. But
with centuries of exploration and modernization, many
family narratives have since sprawled across cities, countries,
and continents, making it harder to keep the tradition of
family storytelling alive. As people move more freely and
quickly across the globe, the narratives become increasingly
more complex to pass on to future generations. But gaining
a better understanding of ourselves by connecting with our
family histories—preserving old stories and discovering
new ones—remains as important as ever.
There’s no single way to trace and share your family’s
history. Whatever approach you take—whether it’s
simply uploading family documents to a website that
handles the assembly or you feel compelled to roll up your
sleeves and dig in yourself—getting started is often the
most daunting part. And rest assured—you don’t have to
know the final shape of the project to reap the rewards
of the process—deeper connection to and knowledge of
your heritage and yourself.