Discovering one's roots and incorporating it with scrapbooking becomes an enjoyable activity. When I can tie it in with my writing and art, it becomes even more exciting.
Finding the stories behind my ancestors, learning about their lives, and discovering why various traits have come down through the generations enables me to understand myself better. These stories also are enjoyable to hand down to future generations.
I've discovered second and third cousins through my research and find it fun to exchange family data with them. I didn't have any first cousins when I was growing up and always wished I had. So finding "cousins" in later years and sharing family genealogy stories becomes an added bonus.
Traveling throughout the country, to areas where they migrated and settled, expands my knowledge of history. Incorporating much of this into scrapbooks and journals saves it for my daughter and grandchildren.
(c)2005
