Genealogy

Genealogy and family history are terms familiar to most, but they no longer refer to a hobby once reserved for retirees. Today, the fast-growing worldwide business of genealogy has been fueled by a range of technology applications, expanding the base of customers, suppliers, and possibilities for those looking into their past — for whatever their reasons.

Genealogy can be almost anything you want it to be — an occasional curiosity, a seasonal hobby, a life-long obsession, and even a rewarding profession. Researching, recording, and sharing your family story is a fascinating pasttime, but it takes both time and expertise to thoroughly examine all the possible data sources that may hold clues about your ancestors. Many family events present a great opportunity to share and exchange stories about prior generations. Perhaps you have a novel idea that you think others who share a similar passion might also enjoy. In my opinion, genealogy has something for everyone, everywhere in the world!

I have a unique blend of personal and professional experience in the field of genealogy. My earliest memories of recording details for my own Irish-American and Italian-American family history reach back to my days in grade school, the mid 1970s. Initially, I wanted to understanding how I was related to Thomas Lynch Jr., signer of the United States Declaration of Independence. First lesson learned, just because you have the same surname, doens't mean you're related.

In January 1977, the powerful miniseries Roots, based on Alex Haley's 1976 novel, left a very deep impact on me. Our entire family watched this weeklong broadcast, including my Italian maternal grandmother. Over time, my interests grew from casual hobbiest to avid researcher and, ultimately, to professional working in the field alongside many of those whom I learned from when just starting out.

During my college years in rural Rhode Island, 1980-1984, I studied both marketing and computer science. When our COBOL professor assigned one particular project, I had the perfect idea. I had just transcribed the names, dates, and other information from a small, historic cemetery hidden on our campus. Using the schools Data General MV-6000 mini-computer, I created a program to add each person into a database. My professor was so enamoured with the project, that he began to suggest enhancements along the way. It was great fun and earned me an 'A' for the semester! To this day, the Mowry family cemetery in Smithfield, Rhode Island is one of my favorites anywhere.

The greatest thing about genealogy however is that I'm still learning. While I've developed my own expertise, there are so many who specialize in certain record types, ethnicities, technologies, time periods, and they are all so willing to share. You can read more about me and my background for a better understanding of my unique blend of technology and genealogy expertise.