In Search Of Our Ancestors
With over 100 true stories of the amazing luck, unexpected kindness, and unusual serendipity encountered by researchers as they explore their roots, In Search of Our Ancestors offers an inspirational look at the rewards of family history. No story is longer than a few pages, but most are such touchingly personal tales that you may find yourself reading just one or two at a time.
The photo of a great-great-great grandmother’s “free pass” (that proved she was not a slave) and its accompanying story of being made into a medal and touring the country is a definite tearjerker, as are the multiple stories of lives being saved through families passing on information about genetically inherited diseases. To lighten the mood a bit, laugh along with the researcher who discovered his wife was also his fifth cousin, or with the fellow who managed to ruin his family’s tales of famous ancestors, uncovering a war deserter instead.
A few stories have relevant research information at the end, but the book isn’t aimed at your practical side. More than anything, this collection is designed to simply share the warmth and surprises that genealogical research can bring if you stick with the hunt, keep your sense of humor, and listen to your heart.
Reviews of “In Search of Our Ancestors”
“Megan is a gifted roots detective who uncovers the past through meticulous research, but reading her stories of serendipitous encounters in this book one would believe that she is able to commune with the dead, and is guided by ancestral spirits who want to be found and their stories known.”
— Patricia Harty, Editor/Co-Founder, Irish America Magazine
“Megan Smolenyak is a master storyteller who brings personal history to life.”
— Cheryl Richardson, New York Times best-selling author of The Art of Extreme Self-Care, Take Time for Your Life and more
“Megan Smolenyak … is the guru … – the beginning, the middle, and the end of genealogy. And like all good gurus, she inspires the rest of us to find our own roots, to keep digging until we know our own story. This book is an important book for anyone who has ever had a mother, a grandmother or a great-grandmother. Make it part of your library now.”
— Pam Grout, New York Times best-selling author of E-Squared, E-Cubed and more
“The stories in In Search of Our Ancestors are touching and personal. Each one reveals the three S’s that are at the heart of researching our family roots: surprise, serendipity, and secrets. This book is less of a how-to (although there’s plenty here to help you get started) than it is an inspirational call. Let’s do this! Let the surprises, moments of serendipity, and secrets begin!”
— Lisa See, New York Times best-selling author of Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, Peony in Love and more
What Readers Are Saying
“Gems of genealogical tidbits wrapped in one hundred and one surprising and fun stories. I was inspired by, and will never forget, the researchers who thought to ask to actually see the burnt records, the daughter’s pursuit of information about her father who died in the war three months after she was born, using the Internet to find a sister not seen for six decades — or any of the 98 other inspiring, sad, sometimes-scary, humorous or (mostly) very happy stories. Even my friends who are not interested in genealogy wound up reading this book!”
— Morgen
“The millions of genealogists who are researching their family trees will find this book both inspiring and encouraging as the make the discovery of family members they never knew or were sure that information about them was lost throughout the centuries. It shows what others have achieved by both hard work, synchronicity and almost “supernatural guidance.” I believe everyone will find ecouragement here in their research for their roots! A must buy!”
— “a genealogist reaching”
“I have purchased five copies of this book and given them to friends who are interested in genealogy. Each of them has loved it in return and passed it on to friends and relatives. Easy to read, poignant stories, that give me goose bumps each time I read them.”
— Barbara
“If you enjoyed this book, I’d greatly appreciate it if you would take the time to leave a comment. Thank you!”
— Megan