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Archiver > ROOTS > 1999-12 > 124203


From: "Jim Bullock" <>
Subject: How Many Generations?
Date: Sun, 26 Dec 1999 23:35:05 -0700
In-Reply-To: <199912270149.RAA02746@bl-11.rootsweb.com>


Many who are seriously into genealogy say that the work is never done. But
if you want to place a limit on your work, you might just collect those who
are of greatest interest and most meaningful to you and your family.

I have put a top priority on my direct ancestors, i.e. my parents,
grandparents, great grand parents, etc. If you go back 10 generations,
there would be no more than 2,046 of them--2 parents, 4 grandparents, etc.
to 1,024 8th great grandparents. There will probably be fewer than that
because of marriages between cousins--2nd cousins, 3rd cousins, etc. These
are the relatives from whom we get our genes, so they're quite important.

Some of us have other special interests that we work on. In my case, both
my mother's and father's paternal ancestors first settled in Bristol County,
Massachusetts, in the 1600s. Therefore, I not only collect relatives from
that area but do some serious studying of their history.

Other types of special interests might include Mayflower passengers, various
war veterans, church memberships, and of course the various nationalities of
your ancestors. It takes more than a collection of names, dates, and places
to make your genealogy interesting. Try to get stories that make them seem
like real people. And the best place to start is with your living relatives
who can relate their stories first hand.

I don't try to find 4th & 5th cousins, even if they have my surname, unless
they also happen to be genealogy buffs with whom I can share some research.
But just follow your own inclinations. However, as you accumulate some good
stories, you probably won't want to quit.

Jim Bullock

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