Mining the Closet... musings

 

Originally published Fall 2002 in Clan Ross News.

Between 1993 and 2003 I was editor of Clan Ross News, the quarterly publication of ClanRoss America, a national Scottish Heritage Organization.  The following was obviously written speaking to that context, but the underlying message certainly applies to everything done by every genealogist/family historian.  

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 I am currently (2022) in the midst of long term tidying of my computer. For too many years I have treated my electronic memory as a back bedroom, stacking finished work on shelves and in drawers, with little thought spent on how a specific piece will be found in the future. Ah well.... 

    Since it is unlikely that I will ever publish a full book of "musing", I'm collecting those thoughts here.  Edited and small changes in April 2020. Small additions and changes made in September 2022. 

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 Fall 2002: 

I have just returned from the AGM – a grand celebration of Scottish and Ross culture and heritage in Livonia, Michigan. I was one of the four volunteers (I know, I know, never volunteer for anything) who organized and ran the weekend for Ross Assn., so for me the time was a lot of fun, and a lot of work. Every so often the question of “why” comes up – our lives are certainly full up with jobs, and family and keeping clean socks in the drawer.

This spring I read The Songcatcher by Sharyn McCrumb.  In her afterword is the best comment about the “why” of CRAUS [Clan Ross Association of the United States] (leastwise for me) that I have ever encountered. 

McCrumb speaks of going to college and learning the latest Joan Baez song, and taking it home to sing for her Dad, who startles her by knowing all the words.  She writes, “My father smiled, “Why, that’s John Riley…I had that song from my grandmother, and she had it from her grandmother” … and I went to the Record Bar and paid $6.98 for it.

McCrumb continues, “I never forgot that lesson, because to me it symbolized the fragility of one’s heritage.  Each of us is the link between the past and the future, and it is up to us to pass along the legends, the stories, the songs, and the traditionsof our own families.  If we don’t they will be lost, and your children may not be lucky enough to find a bit of their past going for $6.98 in a store somewhere.  They may never find it at all. Since then I have been mindful of seeking out my heritage and doing what I could to preserve it and celebrate it….”

The book is a wonderful story, and her comments a wonderful reminder.

               Cheers, Liz

I have a small codex that I make a point to read every year. This has earned a place. 

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Doings elsewhere: GeneaQuest 2022, CAGGNI's bi-annual conference, is happening this coming Saturday, 17 September 2022. I have been lead on this enterprise. Lots of work, lots of enjoyment, and truly made possibly only because of the assistance of many wonderful volunteers. 

    In elsewhere genealogical, I am going through my holdings, working on pieces toward publishing. It's a good way to spend days.