Goodson Family ca1900

Heritage means different things to different people. In its simplest form, heritage is defined as “property that descends to an heir or something possessed as a result of one’s natural situation or birth” (Merriam-Webster, n.d.) In a time where identity is valued more than ever, one’s heritage is a bond to our primordial ancestry—tied to our culture, beliefs, traditions, physical traits, and ethnicity. Have you ever seen an old family photograph and wondered about who the person was or where it was taken? Hobby genealogists seek to answer these questions and others by navigating an entangled web of historical people, places and events often uncovering a history lost to time. Kuglin found that this community, commonly associated with older adults, (as cited in Fulton, 2016) is an ever-expanding activity now popular among all generations. Online genealogical searches account for the second largest use of the Internet, second only to pornography. (Rodriguez, 2014) What is it that drives this insatiable need to uncover the past? Information needs in this community stem from a myriad of reasons such as learning of one’s past, proving descendancy (historical or adoptive), medical discovery, or criminological purposes.

Fisher and Fulton’s (2022) five characteristics of information communities emphasize how the hobby genealogy group has been shaped over time. These investigations commonly progress through stages emphasizing collaboration between people, utilization of different technology sources, and the sharing of information. Traditionally, searches begin simply with a name which leads to another piece of information eventually evolving into a full-scale historical inquest connecting specific time periods and places. (Duff & Johnson, 2003) Each uncovered piece of the puzzle helps to create a sharper image and understanding of an individual’s personal history.

The need to learn more about one’s history may begin as an individual endeavor but will only reach full potential with collaboration—among people who hold clues to the next discovery, institutions that house historical documents and records or interlinked online databases. During the collaborative process, the role of a hobby genealogist can transform from information seeker to information provider for other users. (Fisher & Fulton, 2022). Collaboration can unlock endless possibilities to aid in the profound experience of uncovering one’s unique heritage.

References

Duff, W. M., & Johnson, C. A. (2003). Where is the list with all the names? Information-seeking behavior of genealogists. The American Archivist, 66(1), 79–95.

https://doi.org/10.17723/aarc.66.1.l375uj047224737n

Fisher, K.E., & Fulton, C. (2022). Information communities. In S. Hirsh (Ed.), Information services today: An Introduction (3rd ed., pp. 41-52). Rowman & Littlefield.

Fulton, C. (2016). The genealogist’s information world: creating information in the pursuit of a hobby. Journal of Multidisciplinary Research (Miami Gardens, Fla.), 8(1), 85-100.

Heritage Ramblings Blog (2015). Friday’s faces from the past: The Goodson Family c1900 and c1950. Friday’s Faces from the Past: The Goodson Family c1900 and c1950 – Heritage Ramblings

Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Heritage. In Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary. Retrieved September 6, 2023 from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heritage

Rodriguez, G. (2014, May 30). How genealogy became almost as popular as porn. Time. How Genealogy Became Almost as Popular as Porn | Time