The one stop spot for crafting and genealogical inspiration

I was once told that unless I knew where I had come from, I couldn't know where I was going. Whilst I don't entirely agree with this sentiment, I do believe that knowing where I have come from, enables me to understand different facets of my character and to understand my mother's persepective on things. It really helps me to perservere when things are difficult if I remember the difficulties that my ancestors strove so hard to overcome and recall their accomplishments. Looking back at their characters, their idiosyncracies, their dreams and ambitions also helps me to put my own unique and idiosyncratic characteristics into perspective.

For me, my research into the history of both my ancestors and my husbands has generated a sense of pride. I want my son to know where his family came from and how it came to be where it is today. I want him to understand that he's not the only person that has had difficulties and that his ancestors before him also battled against prejudices to establish a place for themselves. My genealogical research sends me on trips around the country, to small villages that I've never heard of and which under normal circumstances I wouldn't think to visit and in so doing I get to see many beautiful and unspoilt places.