Wednesday, Mar 25, 2009
Dear Eduardo-
I certainly agree with you about the sharing. I think that sometimes, people don't want to share because they are in the process of writing a book which eventually they will sell. I look forward to opportunities to share by giving talks, instructing others, volunteering at the local LDS Family History Center, etc. I always end up getting so much back in return and learning new ways to research.
Recently, because of my efforts, I have received emails from a cousin in Canada who is willing to have his DNA tested for a common line of ours for which we only have early 1800's information. This Canadian cousin is also in contact with someone new in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. We are excited about sending emails to them and possibly connecting our family to theirs. Last weekend, I was able, quite by chance to find a book called A Day in the Life of the Soviet Union for $3.99. The book shows where we had been told some of our ancestors came from and the upcoming DNA tests might prove it.
This week, I came in contact with another person from Canada and we will be meeting to share ideas when she vacations here. Her relative is an AGUILAR so I might be able to help that person with Hispanic genealogy.
Another person sent me an email this week and is asking about Santa Rita, Ayotlan, Jalisco. I shall be going there soon and doing lots of research. And one more cousin was heard from this week, who is from Santa Elena but living in Atotonilco el Alto. I think you said you have some people from Atotonilco el Alto, too, so I am waiting to hear more about your family names.
I think that yes, if we help others, those little parts of our research that have been dead ends for such a long time can turn into new avenues of discovery.
Sincerely,
Patricia Burton
San Diego, Ca.
--- On Tue, 3/24/09, Eduardo H Seoane
> From: Eduardo H Seoane
> Subject: [Nuestros Ranchos] The benefits of sharing
> To: general@lists.nuestrosranchos.org
> Date: Tuesday, March 24, 2009, 11:53 PM
> I was present when someone, (an instructor) told a group of
> people that a family member had asked him for a copy of his
> genealogy and he responded by telling his relative that he
> was not going to give him anything because he had worked
> hard and had spent many years and a lot of money compiling
> his genealogy. This individual told the group that they
> should not share their genealogy either, "que les
> cueste a ellos también" were his words.
> My lovely wife always reminds me of “the boomerang
> effect.” She say's, “what goes around comes
> around.” Basically, as I understand it, what you give is
> what you get. So for all you who are holding back out there,
> you might want to share a little because, who knows, maybe
> you share the information that someone needs that extends
> your line back another ten generations. It is intresting how
> that works, often the giver receives a lot more than they
> gave.
> I do not think we, as a genealogical group, should be in
> the business of expecting something, before we share our
> information. One gets a lot further in life when they have a
> group, like this one assisting them on their quest to find
> their family. I hope this group will continue to be a place
> where I can come and gain knowledge and share a few things I
> have picked up along the way. Some of you might or might
> not share my opinion, so feel free to comment.
>
>
> Estaba presente cuando alguien, (un instructor) le dijo a
> un grupo de personas que un miembro de su familia le había
> pedido una copia de su genealogía y él le respondió a su
> pariente que no se la iba a dar porque él había trabajado
> duro y por muchos años, gastado mucho dinero, compilando su
> genealogía. Este individuo le dijo al grupo que no
> compartieran su genealogía tampoco, “que les cueste a
> ellos también” eran sus palabras.
> Mi esposa encantadora siempre me recuerda de “el efecto
> bumerang.” Ella dice, “lo qué va, viene de regreso.”
> Básicamente, como yo lo entiendo, lo qué usted da es lo
> que usted consigue. Así es que, para todos ustedes que se
> están aguantando, a lo mejor quieran compartir un poco,
> porque quien sabe, quizás compartes la información que
> alguien necesita para extender la línea de el y la suya,
> otras diez generaciones. Es interesante cómo eso funciona,
> a menudo el que da recibe mucho más de lo que ellos
> dieron.
> No pienso que nosotros, como grupo genealógico, debemos
> estar en el negocio de esperar algo antes de compartir
> nuestra información. Uno llega mucho más lejos en la vida
> cuando tiene un grupo, como éste asistiendo en la
> búsqueda para encontrar a su familia. Espero que este grupo
> continúe siendo un lugar en donde pueda obtener
> conocimiento y compartir algunas cosas que he aprendido.
> Algunos de ustedes a lo mejor no comparten mi opinión,
> así que siéntanse libres en comentar.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
The benefits of sharing with others...
I agree with Patricia and Eduardo.
I have put in many hours in my family tree. I have spent a lot of money on films. Because of this, I see why some people may not want to share. However, I have been rewarded and blessed by working on other peoples lines and by sharing my information. I may have not received the same amount of information that I have given out but I have filled gaps in my tree that most probably would have taken a lot more money (on films and travel) and time to find. And this is not even the best reason to share. I have found that one of the things I like best about genealogy is the sharing of information and the friends that I have made through this hobby.
Many years ago I had decided to to give up genealogy as a hobby. I had mainly worked alone and not shared my work with other genealogists. I had already worked out most of my family tree into the 1600's, with only a couple of branches only making it to the early 1800's. Right now I still have one branch that ends here (Salvador Clemente De La Torre and spouse Maria Alexandra G. De La Torre)
For a couple of years, friends of mine and I often went bowling Sunday nights. The grandmother to some of my friends would go sometimes and watch her grandchildren bowl. One day I didn't feel like bowling and sat with the grandmother to talk. I told her about my distant family that lived in Jalos. We realized we were family because she recognized my great uncles as being cousins of hers. The more we talked, the more relatives we found in common.
One of her grandchildren introduced me to their mom's first cousin, Miggy, and we compared family trees. Miggy's dad and my maternal grandfather are 3rd cousins. We are related closest through our Gutierrez and Romo lines. That is when he invited me to Orange County to attend a SHHARR meeting. I had enjoyed talking to miggy about genealogy but I was burned out and went to the meeting thinking it was my last hurrah at this hobby. It was at this meeting that I met many genealogists that renewed my enthusiasm by sharing their work and looking at my work. It was here where I first learned of the ancestors from Europe. I met many people that were working hard at this hobby and freely sharing their work. After the meeting was over I went to lunch with miggy and Steve Hernandez and continued talking on and on about genealogy. If I did not have such a long commute the talks would have continued into the night. My batteries became charged again and wanted to jump right back into my work but this time sharing with other genealogists. I did do some work off and on but my wife's difficult pregnancy, the birth of my child, the illnesses of my wife and inlaws have held me back from sharing genealogy on a consistent basis. I did continue working on genealogy but in spurts, squeezing in time whenever i could which was not as often as I would have liked.
I only recently came into contact with other genealogist from Los altos and just a couple of months ago joined nuestros ranchos.
It has been a joy to share information. I have made many new friends and family. The more I share the more I get out of this hobby. I truly feel blessed to be able to share information with others that would value the results of my hard work. the only reason I think about writing books on the subject would be to share in a format that would be more accessible to more people, to share more fully. This does not deter me from sharing before and if I ever get around to writing a book.
I have to write a book on the Lomelini or that information will not get out. I have refused to give more information only on the Lomelini family because of an agreement that I have with the owner of my source material. I am not allowed to give out the pictures or family information that I did not already have until I publish my book acknowledging their assistance in providing me with these very old documents.
I also would like to write a book on the frias hijar family ancestors from Europe as I do not see it adequately covered in other Mexican genealogy books that I have seen. I have collected a lot of info on the branches extending into Europe, correcting errors that others have made and adding information that others have not reported. I am presently collecting information on descendents of the Rodriguez de hijar family in Los altos, mainly tepa valle jalos and a branch in San Miguel el alto.
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