Reflections on Family Tree Maker--the Irony

Well, it's Family Reunuion time again. Time to pack into the car and travel long distances to pot lucks. Time to reestablish all those links of Family.

Some time back I remember a tremendous surge in our family to load every precious memory into a software package known as "Family Tree Maker." In fact, we crashed several computers in the process. So much time was invested that we still have one computer that my spouse can't throw away even though we can't access the data.

Years ago, I heard of a woman who took her young son to the doctor. The son had a mysterious illness. The parents were deeply worried that it was something terminal. The doctor gently asked the woman, " Now tell me of your family medical history." The woman came to the doctor visit prepared with all sorts of notes. "Finally," she thought." all my research has paid off." And proceeded to give the doctor a thorough database of it. The doctor listened very patiently. When she had finished, the doctor gently asked, " Now please tell me of your husband's medical history. " "Well," she replied," I dont know anything about my husbands medical history or any of his relatives."

Before all you genetics gurus out there are too hard on this young woman, I would just ask you a simple question. In your family tree, in Family Tree Maker, are you compiling the history of both sides of the family or just one? In my experience, over 90% of families only consider the geneology of their parents and siblings "relevant." Interesting concept of Family. Only half of their Family Tree is ever filled out.

Ditto for the writing of history. Did you ever notice that a family history is deeply affected by who the surviving spouse is that writes the history. Yes, this is a clear argument for all you men out there to survive a little longer. It might clearly affect the way history is written.

So, as you head out on the long trip to meet the distant relatives, gaze across the car and go ahead, ask your spouse a little about the family history that you have left out of Family Tree Maker. It takes a lot of work to create a Family. It's time to begin!