A Tree Grew in Oakland

I was stunned by the latest newsletter from one of my family lineage societies that arrived this week. The Welles Family Association is on the verge of collapse. The following is what I wrote to the President and Editor of the newsletter:

Stuart.

I was saddened to read of the recommendation of the Board of Directors.  I sincerely wish I could raise my hand and say I would like to be of assistance and take on a role in the society.  But, although not yet achieving your age, I am by no means young and abounding in health and energy.  At 75, and with various health challenges, I am no longer raising my hand for even my local societies.  

I understand the dilemma of needing new members that want to take on a leadership role.  A number of the local societies here in Michigan are facing that same situation.  The officers are rotating roles because there are no others willing to participate. It is unfortunate in a time when the memberships in Ancestry and MyHeritage are growing and FamilySearch is making more and more records online, that the stark fact that everything cannot be found online has not permeated the consciousness of newer genealogists who seem to be of the opinion everything in on the internet.  As genealogy societies close down, a valuable source for research is falling by the wayside.  When what one needs is only available at a local repository those local society volunteers are willing and able to go to the archive and do the research when asked.  

One of the most valued sources in my personal library is the full run of the Descendants of Gov. Thomas Welles of Connecticut, which I rely on knowing that it has been fully vetted for accuracy (distinctly different from a number of family histories that have been published over the years).  I am grateful for all the work by you and the society in publishing the newsletter which has delivered information on further research, expanded news, and well researched debunking of other claims.

In short, thank you for your service.  I hope the society will continue, but hope is all I am capable of providing.

Genealogical research is in danger of losing the need to be accurate and it is a shame. The need for “now” is not part of a genealogist’s DNA — hours of research may lead a hint at a new direction when more hours can be spent to find a nugget of information. I am not sure how to get this across. Patience is more than a virtue, it is a requirement for a serious genealogist.