October 12th - Are you a contextual genealogist?

Are you a contextual genealogist? Today is Columbus Day in the USA and for many generations it has been a holiday honoring Christopher Columbus for "discovering North America." It was always a big deal in the Italian-American community in the city where I grew up. In the more recent past, many have questioned how Columbus could have discovered something (a rather large continent) that had hundreds of different cultures thriving without the assistance of Europeans and had been visited by other explorers centuries before. Many native American cultures suffered greatly or were wiped out as a result of his "discovery." Whether you consider Columbus a mariner, an explorer, a national hero, or an imperialist depends on context (and perhaps your own background).

As genealogists, we need to read and analyze the information we gather AND always keep in mind context. This includes peoples' beliefs and social structures, the laws and norms of the time, education, scientific and social knowledge, the effect that spirituality or faith took on their actions (right or wrong). Placing our ancestors firmly in their times requires that we go beyond the surface and learn a bit more about many subjects we might not have paid attention to in school (history, geography, economics, literature, sociology, and science, to name a few). It's a good thing we consider ourselves life-long learners! Take advantage of learning opportunities and keep you mind open to the possibility of viewing what you think you know in a whole different light.

And for any events or facts you add to your Legacy family file, be sure to give them a bit of context as well. If you include military service, be sure to include some information about the war or conflict. If you include migration, give a bit of the reasons or situation in the country that caused you ancestor to leave his or her native land. If you include a death that occurred as a result of an epidemic or disaster, be sure to include a bit about the situation. Putting your ancestors' lives in context means more than just a name and a date.

Do you add context to your ancestors' lives and, if so, how?