Roots & Routes: Exploring Genealogy's Enchanted Garden

"In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities, but in the expert's there are few." - Shunryu Suzuki

Martial Arts & Genealogy? YES!

I studied martial arts for years and Bruce Lee was a major influence. In her book, Be Water, My Friend: The Teachings of Bruce Lee, Shannon Lee distills her dad’s wisdom beautifully. This applies to genealogy as well.

  • Fluidity: She emphasizes how Bruce Lee saw water as a metaphor for adaptability. Water can flow or it can crash, and Bruce believed that we should be like water, able to adapt to any situation without rigidity.

  • Adaptability: Shannon often talks about how her father applied the concept of water to martial arts and life in general. He believed in being flexible and open to change, able to shift direction and respond to challenges with ease.

  • Resilience: Bruce Lee saw water's ability to overcome obstacles as a key aspect of its power. Similarly, he encouraged people to persevere through difficulties and setbacks, flowing around obstacles rather than resisting them head-on.

Family History/Genealogy Mentors

While it's important to approach genealogy with a beginner's mind, embracing curiosity and openness to new discoveries, it's also important to seek guidance and learn from those who have honed their skills and expertise over time. There are some awesome Genealogy Mentors out there! These folks are like the seasoned explorers of our genealogical world—they've been around, learned a ton, and are ready to share their wisdom.I've had the pleasure of hanging out with, learning from, or just chatting with these amazing individuals. They're not just experts; they're also super friendly and supportive, making them perfect guides for our family history adventure. Here’s a partial list:

Genealogy Websites

Additional Learning and Professional Genealogy Organizations

A group of early 19th century genealogists sharing their wisdom with one another.