This will be a post filled with opinions.
I'm at an age and, this past year, I've face a serious medical issue, both of which have caused me to look at my priorities and where I should focus my attention and activities.
Family history is one of my priorities. My next post will be resolutions I am formulating to coordinate everything I'd like to accomplish in the coming year. For now, in this post, I have some thoughts about family history, local history and the organizations involved.
Support Local History: You can do that just by visiting your local historical society, if there is one. Local historical and genealogical societies operate mostly with volunteers. Volunteer, if you find something interesting. Donate. It doesn't have to be just money. May you had an ancestor who was a local official or teacher or who participated in some local historical event or started a local business that was important in the community. Maybe you have paraphernalia that you no longer want to store and can donate it to your historical society. Do some family history; make some charts, copy some family photos and donate them to local organizations.
If you are a local historical or genealogical society, be separate from the official municipal operation. While towns should support the local historical and genealogical organizations in various ways, they can be controlling and stifle the activities of those organizations.
If you are a town official, support local history and genealogical by naming a town historian; through a process of working with local organizations who will know best who that should be; it's NOT about politics. A town can provide a space for a museum or historical society; even if it's a shared space. A town an add a link to local organizations on their web sites. Towns can be supportive by not dictating the activities of local organizations.
If your are a local library, collect information and published histories and genealogies of your community. If you have meeting space, you can provide it, even part time, to local organizations.
Local history and genealogy belong to the citizens and residents of the local community; not to officials.
Local history and genealogy can provide details of larger historical events that make history, in general, more interesting and provides connection to our larger shared history.
Some historical societies become snooty, elitist. It's a mistake. Local history is not just about officials and the wealthy, it's about people, all people who had and have lived in the community. Local history should celebrate the people of the community and the changes in the community over time.
Next time: my resolutions and family history goals for this year; what I want to accomplish. Still working on the list....
