I agree. If someone in the family has already worked on the family genealogy the younger generation would see no reason to do it over again. The girl scout badge is an excellent way to encourage the next generation and show them history can be fun.
In my private discussion with Eric, I indicated that like so many other things in life, there is a cycle to hobbies. Right now genealogy is in a declined period. I did not indicate that dedicated genealogy sections in libraries were on the decrease. I stated that in the Virginia county I primarily deal with, the local genealogy society disbanded years ago because of lack of interest. It wasn’t that people didn’t care, it was that enough people were abstracting court and other records and providing help through the local public genealogy library (Thomas Balch Library) that the society itself wasn’t needed. Both that county in Virginia and the area I live at in New Mexico have a public library building dedicated entirely to genealogical research.
Eric’s frustrations are from a lack of resources in particular counties he needs to research, which I am sure others have felt in numerous areas around the country. There is no simple solution to this problem. Engaging researchers who live that those areas to be more active in providing resources to others is just a start.
Pat Duncan
[log in to unmask]
From: James Burnett
Sent: Friday, March 16, 2012 1:26 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [VA-HIST] Genealgy Future
I guess I would step back a minute on this. Most of us older folks have
the time to spend in doing this. When we were younger probably a small % of
us worked on family history. Yes-there are the exceptions but that is what
they are. In my particular county here in Fl, Brevard, we have three
libraries with dedicated genealogy sections. The central library also has a
CG on staff. The other two libraries which house the genealogy collections
are manned by volunteers from the three clubs in our county.
I did not get interested in family history until I was in my mid 50's. WIth
the stresses on young people, I am thinking working age and those that have
families, today is it any wonder they have this on the back burner?
I just make sure our daughter knows what we are doing and I believe she
will take an interest when the time is available. (School teacher)
What our club has done has engaged the girl scouts, they have a merit
badge, in several sessions where we help them meet their requirements for
completion.
Plant the Seed, Let it Grow
On Fri, Mar 16, 2012 at 11:58 AM, Huffstutler, Eric S. <
[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> That dedicated genealogy libraries are
> disappearing. And that younger generations have little interest these
> days about family history (in general).
>
--
Douglas Burnett
Satellite Beach
FL
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