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A Genealogists Response to 9-11-2001

© Christine Sievers

I, like many others around the world, have focused this past week on the crisis caused by the terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. As an American, it is a very painful event for me. A week of reflection has moved into a need for action. Action, for me, has often translated into writing. Therefore, I spent yesterday afternoon composing email letters to send to my senators in Washington. Now, I tackle the writing I wish to share with my fellow genealogists.

As genealogists, we have an understanding of connectedness. As genealogists we have learned why our ancestors emigrated. Many were fleeing from religious and political oppression. So, I am saddened to see hate directed at those Arab-Americans who themselves, or their ancestors, fled their countries seeking freedom and a safe place to raise their families just as our ancestors did. So, I send a plea to all genealogists to practice tolerance, in honor of our own ancestors who suffered hate during World War I and II because of their ancestry.

We are living in important historical times. As genealogists, we can help heal our pain and pass a legacy on to our descendents about these events. I suggest starting a journal recording the events unfolding, along with our personal thoughts and emotions. One hundred years from now our descendents will treasure this record.

Following is a question to ponder. I am writing my personal response and inviting you to join in a discussion below.

How has this tragedy touched you differently because of your genealogy work?

I live in California, but because I have discovered newfound cousins living in the New York area, the tragedy came close to home. Email went back and forth, and all are safe and accounted for. Although, one was only 2 miles away from the WTC and often met with clients there. Now I wonder, are there cousins I haven't yet discovered who were killed? Of course, the answer is yes because if we could expand our genealogy as far as possible I believe we would find out that we are all cousins to some degree.

Finally, things you can do as a part of the genealogical community:

At Ancestry.com you will find links to a message board where you can express your condolences and mourning for victims, and a link where you can donate. Although, I had trouble getting on to the donate link because of the large traffic to it.

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