tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-927510992143247693.post69032302533912502..comments2023-10-31T12:12:35.050-05:00Comments on The Last Leaf On This Branch: Sentimental Sunday - Why Would You Want to be a Genealogist?Laura Cosgrove Lorenzanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02794581991087280753noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-927510992143247693.post-48850056970569746032012-05-02T14:03:58.446-05:002012-05-02T14:03:58.446-05:00Stephen, thanks for reading and following. I appre...Stephen, thanks for reading and following. I appreciate that genealogy isn't something for everyone and, yes, it's a very good thing having one in your family!Laura Cosgrove Lorenzanahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02794581991087280753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-927510992143247693.post-47624089907716238952012-05-02T13:02:44.173-05:002012-05-02T13:02:44.173-05:00Laura, first time visitor and follower and great t...Laura, first time visitor and follower and great to meet you! I don;t think i'd like to be a geneologist, although its great to have one in the family who is talented in this area.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-927510992143247693.post-43569140097024958732012-04-30T11:42:27.312-05:002012-04-30T11:42:27.312-05:00Thank YOU, Shelley, for taking the time to read an...Thank YOU, Shelley, for taking the time to read and comment. The feeling is mutual, and I can't wait to see you again at NGS! Six more sleeps!. (Hugs)Laura Cosgrove Lorenzanahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02794581991087280753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-927510992143247693.post-69093194539884260812012-04-30T10:56:24.927-05:002012-04-30T10:56:24.927-05:00Thanks for sharing your story, Laura, with all its...Thanks for sharing your story, Laura, with all its ups and downs. I was moved and touched by your honesty. My family has had its share of problems, too. I'm so glad to know you and count you as part of my "genealogy family." Our friends make our lives so much richer. Hugs to you!Shelley Bishophttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07488453243236670013noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-927510992143247693.post-34232415597940336812012-04-29T21:30:19.443-05:002012-04-29T21:30:19.443-05:00I'll take it...and right back atcha!! :-)I'll take it...and right back atcha!! :-)Laura Cosgrove Lorenzanahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02794581991087280753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-927510992143247693.post-75344443406100684812012-04-29T21:29:50.105-05:002012-04-29T21:29:50.105-05:00Indeed, I have. Thank you for taking the time to r...Indeed, I have. Thank you for taking the time to read and comment, I truly appreciate it.Laura Cosgrove Lorenzanahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02794581991087280753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-927510992143247693.post-78866577365324274242012-04-29T20:41:57.465-05:002012-04-29T20:41:57.465-05:00Laura ~ Consider yourself hugged! P.Laura ~ Consider yourself hugged! P.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-927510992143247693.post-40218192386394636282012-04-29T18:16:58.163-05:002012-04-29T18:16:58.163-05:00Laura, Genea-friends are the absolute best. Thank...Laura, Genea-friends are the absolute best. Thanks for sharing such a heartfelt post. Losing yourself in genealogy can provide so many rewards-as I am sure you have discovered.Brenda Leyndykehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08530495186632931677noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-927510992143247693.post-53367112131499782072012-04-29T17:59:12.148-05:002012-04-29T17:59:12.148-05:00Thanks for reading and sharing Terri. I know you&#...Thanks for reading and sharing Terri. I know you're very busy; it means a lot to me.Laura Cosgrove Lorenzanahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02794581991087280753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-927510992143247693.post-62621426199760531152012-04-29T16:57:49.109-05:002012-04-29T16:57:49.109-05:00Laura, Family is a hard subject for me. I have ma...Laura, Family is a hard subject for me. I have many that I do not speak with and some I have just reconnected with in the past few years. Sometimes, I feel they are all truly crazy (and not in a good funny way). Researching my family has definitely given me some insight as to why my family is the way it is. All I can do is try to break the cycle of crazy and continue to grow from what I learn.<br /><br />Blogging and social media has definitely created a new family for me. There are many that I talk with daily, they have become my lifelines. I think that everyone learns from all they do and sometimes we need to step back and remember we need to cultivate all those branches / relationships.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-927510992143247693.post-24941930059743065172012-04-29T15:16:00.841-05:002012-04-29T15:16:00.841-05:00Ah, Jill, no hero here. And it's nice to know ...Ah, Jill, no hero here. And it's nice to know there's someone else out there with crazy long generations...what's up with THAT?! I think we need to start a Last Leafs (not Leaves) group. Put our collective heads together. Share our stories. Preserve them so when we're gone, they don't go with us. I'm happy you have connections for your research and genuinely appreciate that you shared your story.Laura Cosgrove Lorenzanahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02794581991087280753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-927510992143247693.post-71732745461721714792012-04-29T14:18:50.941-05:002012-04-29T14:18:50.941-05:00Laura, you're a hero for revealing so much. I&...Laura, you're a hero for revealing so much. I'm 67, never had husb or kids, no sis any more, she d 1990 after long battle with MS. Her kids, my 3 nieces/nephews in their 50s, have 7 adult kids among them. Oldest niece in awful shape. One grandnephew is in prison after years of addiction and lying. His sweet father is exhausted from the struggle. I haven't seen 9 out of ten of them since the 1990s, no money to travel. But I'm the family connection for my own cousins & 2d cousins. My parents were b ca 1900, grandparents b ca 1860-1870 and maybe a baby someday who will be my parents' great-great-grandchild. Being this bridge, documenting the family, is the joy of my life, some cousins interested now, "kids" will be interested later. Thank you so much for inviting us to tell our stories.AuntJillhttp://jglookups.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-927510992143247693.post-37905407181144475242012-04-29T13:29:37.181-05:002012-04-29T13:29:37.181-05:00Celia, thank you so much. It seems a consistent th...Celia, thank you so much. It seems a consistent theme that many people started their research out of frustration with their own family...who knew! Your family is fortunate that you chose to use your experience in a constructive and generous manner and I understand how it is that you'd be a great mom. Thank you for reading and commenting; I'll do my best to keep writing posts that are interesting.Laura Cosgrove Lorenzanahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02794581991087280753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-927510992143247693.post-30621384603939623942012-04-29T13:24:15.357-05:002012-04-29T13:24:15.357-05:00I'm applauding you Tessa!! You're so very ...I'm applauding you Tessa!! You're so very right, in all of it. I recognize that at our darkest moments it's virtually impossible to see anything, whether it's someone holding out a hand to help or a brick wall to run into. But, in our electronic age, I fear our descendants, or those who will come after us, won't have the concrete proof of our existence that we did of our ancestors. Perhaps something I post here, or a comment someone makes, will help someone 50 years from now break down a brick wall and tell a story. That, would be cool.Laura Cosgrove Lorenzanahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02794581991087280753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-927510992143247693.post-59602228524047412282012-04-29T13:18:15.103-05:002012-04-29T13:18:15.103-05:00Jo, I'm so happy that you're finding your ...Jo, I'm so happy that you're finding your bliss. I think there are more 'last leaf'ers out there than we know...I'm guessing we stay out of sight because we don't always feel we fit in. The beauty of genealogy is it doesn't matter who you are, as long as you're human. (A tip of my hat to those who do animal genealogies for breeders.) Thanks for commenting, by the way, I really appreciate it!Laura Cosgrove Lorenzanahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02794581991087280753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-927510992143247693.post-11061319755687663702012-04-29T13:12:45.109-05:002012-04-29T13:12:45.109-05:00J. - bless you for sharing your story. I will tell...J. - bless you for sharing your story. I will tell you, truly, that everything happens for a reason, even the dark things. You have many years ahead of you, and the right path will reveal itself to you. I took a long break away from my research...I say it started 16 years ago, but in truth I started some of it back when I was in my early 20s. I completely understand. Coming from such a large family, you never know what you'll uncover, or the wonderful people that you find. If you ever find yourself doubting, I'm just a click away. :-)Laura Cosgrove Lorenzanahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02794581991087280753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-927510992143247693.post-53268212301512280372012-04-29T13:05:50.773-05:002012-04-29T13:05:50.773-05:00Leslie, I genuinely appreciate that you include me...Leslie, I genuinely appreciate that you include me in your Tribe. I may not be easy, but my intentions are always good. Thank you for taking the time to read my post, and more so for taking the time to comment.Laura Cosgrove Lorenzanahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02794581991087280753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-927510992143247693.post-47507204907506161402012-04-29T13:04:08.168-05:002012-04-29T13:04:08.168-05:00Thank you so much Kathy, and I'm truly looking...Thank you so much Kathy, and I'm truly looking forward to meeting you. I'm starting to get that fluttery nervous feeling, so I know it won't be long...Laura Cosgrove Lorenzanahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02794581991087280753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-927510992143247693.post-81683196585496731722012-04-29T13:03:08.569-05:002012-04-29T13:03:08.569-05:00Thanks for the chuckle, Pam. German is the last la...Thanks for the chuckle, Pam. German is the last language I learned...I took an 8 credit course in order to graduate. We jokingly referred to it as Kamikazee German. I like ZGBs, and I'm happy you've found yours!Laura Cosgrove Lorenzanahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02794581991087280753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-927510992143247693.post-5439783408734417382012-04-29T13:00:24.883-05:002012-04-29T13:00:24.883-05:00Deb, thank you so very much for sharing. I've ...Deb, thank you so very much for sharing. I've always said it's a sad day when I don't learn something new, but there are some lessons I'd rather not have to learn. I can't begin to imagine what you've gone through, but I have no doubt your daughter is one lucky little girl.Laura Cosgrove Lorenzanahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02794581991087280753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-927510992143247693.post-47860621870587554612012-04-29T12:24:15.035-05:002012-04-29T12:24:15.035-05:00A post that comes from your heart, Laura, will alw...A post that comes from your heart, Laura, will always resonant with others. I got into Genealogy to try to understand why my mother was "like that" (rageholic, nasty to me, very abusive), and to try to see a much larger picture of "my family". My brother and sister were quite alienated from me for many years because they sort of believed that I must have been an awful person for mom to treat me so badly... Luckily, slowly, and carefully, over the past 10 years or so, I've managed to be consistently open, warm, friendly, and let them go at their own pace in having a better relationship with me. Whew. Genealogy allows me to understand family better (and so did the counselling masters degree as well), see the many influences, make positive connections with barely-known cousins, and indulge in my favourite hobby - research!! My friends have become a true family as well, and my 4 kids are both independent and yet loving - I have managed fairly well to help them make their own traditions. Keep posting on what is important to you - you touch us all.Celia Lewishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04096301290962083820noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-927510992143247693.post-20373370662681357312012-04-29T11:53:50.931-05:002012-04-29T11:53:50.931-05:00Very touching post - family members can be our gre...Very touching post - family members can be our greatest treasure and our biggest heartache. When one family member destroys something that you hold dear (that sense of family) words cannot describe the pain. One wonders (and may never be able to answer) if they do it out of spite or fear. More importantly it makes us face the fact that the family member married to them did not stand up for his/her blood family. It happens too often and is always sad. You have my sympathy. <br />However, as they say, when one door closes another one opens. You have found a home, a tribe, a family in your genealogy community. Do all those things necessary to share it, nurture it and enjoy it. To all those wondering if anyone else will care in the future my answer is I would love to find those stories, those trees, those blog posts, those photos, and those memories of extended family members at any time and any place. You never know who your stories will touch, or how - so simply share them and know that some time and some place, someone will come along and be thrilled and thank you.Tessa Keoughhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09146870113899850353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-927510992143247693.post-9077199162992587952012-04-29T11:51:15.771-05:002012-04-29T11:51:15.771-05:00Laura, thanks for writing so candidly. I started ...Laura, thanks for writing so candidly. I started my family history many years ago at a time when I was divorced, felt lonely and alienated from more than half of my family members - it never occurred to me that there might be a connection... Since then, I am back in touch with those family members who are still living, my research business is growing, I have made lots of genealogy/blogging friends and I have a loving partner. I'll still always be a "last leaf" too, though. As Leslie says, it's like being part of a Tribe :-) Jo {hug}Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-927510992143247693.post-82811611629488849292012-04-29T10:05:49.339-05:002012-04-29T10:05:49.339-05:00You've hit on many emotions all at once with t...You've hit on many emotions all at once with this post! Your story touched me in many ways. I started researching my family in 2000 when my Mom's twin brother died. She couldn't name all her siblings to call for his funeral, and I knew someone had to step up and write it all down. She's the baby of 16. I was only 22 at the time, and expected to pass this down to my kids someday. Now I'm 34 and five miscarriages later my husband and I have been advised to stop trying to have children by my doctors. I struggle with why to continue my research as my current families do not care about my findings. I hope someday in the future, someone will appreciate all of my hard work and dedication to this wonderful hobby. Thanks for sharing your story.J. G.https://www.blogger.com/profile/15043009635117717634noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-927510992143247693.post-5854575986731333912012-04-29T09:38:57.043-05:002012-04-29T09:38:57.043-05:00Laura, thank you for sharing. I'm sorry the &#...Laura, thank you for sharing. I'm sorry the 'real' family didn't work out very well. Yes, it is hurtful. Like you, I love my genealogy family! There are folks that I'm closer to in the community. We tease when we tell others that we 'found our tribe!' Welcome to the Tribe, Laura. You fit in nicely!leslielawsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01989388855284668564noreply@blogger.com