How old were you when you became interested in genealogy? Notice: I didn’t ask how old you are now or how long ago you became interested in genealogy. Did you begin on your own, or were you encouraged and guided by your parents or other family members? For me the answers to those questions are, as a pre-teen or a young teenager, and guided and influenced by my parents. They got “into” genealogy in the early 1950s. I can recall many a trip with Dad to places where he was doing research. Much of that research involved interviewing local people in towns where we knew some of our ancestors had come from. Much of what I recall is that Dad was not always welcomed with open arms. Many with whom he talked were not at all sympathetic to his quest. Some were downright suspicious. “Who is this man? Why is he coming around here? What does he want? Why is he asking so many questions?” One genealogical put-down that I recall after these many years (about 60 years) — was a man who said, “I just live from day to day. I don’t fool around with any of that stuff” — that stuff being, of course, family history. He apparently knew nothing about his ancestors, except, I presume, those whom he knew or had known personally. Not only did he not know, it appeared that he couldn’t have cared less. The man in question made a point that was well taken. Life is very much a day-to-day affair. Many of us, when we get up in the morning, hardly know what we will be doing, or what will happen, before “day is done”. There is very little sense in which many of us live from day to day. Some folks call it “rolling with the punches” — of which there are many each day. Those of us who are “into” genealogy know something else about life. We know that life is more than just a day-to-day affair or more than just one thing after another. None of us are singular or lonely stalks. We talk about family trees, and many of us know a lot about our own family tree. Our families have roots and branches, – many of each. Life is more meaningful when we know something about our roots, as far back into the past as we are able to go. And life is more meaningful when we are aware not only of those who have gone before us but also of those who will come after us — including those whom we will know and whom we can guide, influence, and encourage to be interested in genealogy. The man who “just lived from day to day” was missing some blessings that could have been his if he had known and cared more about his family history. I have wondered ever since, if our visit on that long-ago afternoon might have sparked his interest, especially after others probably asked him who Dad and I were and what we were doing. As with many things in life, especially life’s more significant concerns, it’s never too soon to get “into” genealogy, nor is it ever too late. In some ways, it hardly matters how you got started or how you shall do so — on your own, or guided and led along by others. Maybe you knew your grandparents and maybe at least some of your great-grandparents, or maybe you didn’t. Either way, they are still your ancestors. The most important consideration for genealogy is whether you know and care about the earlier generations in your family. What are the reasons for your interest in genealogy and the John Clough Genealogical Society?