Musings at 2:15am as I Begin Blogging

Well, I finally decided to take the leap and start a blog.  I have no idea if it will be any good, if anyone will read it, if anybody really cares...but that doesn't matter.  I decided that I care and it was time for me to talk about it.

My genealogy research seems to be morphing, much like the way my life unfolds.  For the longest time, I did not want to share or contact anyone in regards to genealogy and family history.  I was content to do my own thing, work behind the scenes helping to transcribe records, and basically just go happily along my merry way.

Then recently, two things happened.  Through no fault of my own, even with my data backed up, I lost about 1100 names out of my tree.  It was a "glitch" in the update to my program (or so Ancestry told me after numerous phone calls) and nothing really could be done.  I was beyond devastated...it just hurt.  I'm still not sure I am over it completely.  In order to deal with the grief (yes, I was grieving), I kind of ran away from doing any more research...not that I tend to run away from feelings, lol, but that is another blog.  No matter what I did, I just couldn't bring myself to do research for a while.

Then the oddest thing happened.  One day in my inbox there was a notification to a message board about a JEFFERS family and did anyone have any information.  To my surprise, I responded.  Not only that, I ended up sharing information with the person who had first posted the query.  Now, this may not seem like a big deal to a lot of you, but for me, it was a huge step forward.

To say I am a private person, an introvert, is not an understatement.  If I meet you one on one, you would never know...but don't put me in a room with more than 5 people or I instantly become a wallflower.  Not to mention, I take pride in my genealogy.  Ever since I realized the error of my ways many, many moons ago about attaching people to my tree willy-nilly through shaky little leaves, I have tried my best to document my work.  As most of you know, this takes hours...and I don't much fancy the thought of just giving it away...but, something is beginning to change.

I'm not sure where these rumblings will take me.  I am not positive I will be able to just put my family history up there for all the world to see...it may take a while, it may be a process, like the way so many other things happen in my life.  However, I have learned that if I begin the intention, the rest of it has a way of working itself out exactly how it is supposed to happen.

In the meantime, I will continue to bring my thoughts, feelings, findings, and frustrations here, because yes, brick walls are downright frustrating.

I invite you on the journey with me...who know what lies ahead, waiting to be discovered.

©2011, copyright Penny Sexton Brennan