Abstract:
This creative project was written to discover more about my heritage, background, and to discover some of the people, situations, and influences that have contributed to making me who I am today. As a person transitioning to adulthood part of the goal of this piece was to explore the lives of those who came before me and use their influence and experiences to help me determine my path. The research for this creative project was approached through the use of compounded genealogical research conducted through Ancestry.com, a genealogical research database in which archived public records, personal photos shared by members, and stories can be shared. It is where I made connections to several ancestors who lived centuries ago. Additionally, much of my research occurred through personal discussions and conversations had with living or previously living family members. Finally, much of the research occurred through the observation of my family, and spending time listening to conversations throughout the 22 years of my life. This project yielded some surprising relationships and connections to ancestors who I never would have expected to be part of my family tree. While allowing me to share my personal insight on the lives of my ancestors as an outside, objective viewer who never had the chance to meet some of them or experience events that occurred in their lives, I share their blood and genes and also my perspective and ideas about what potentially occurred in their lives. History as we know it is a series of stories compiled together in the most sensible order with those completing the research defining the facts. Much of what is written following is a series of stories and narratives reflecting my research into my ancestral roots.
