'Every time an old man dies, a library burns'. This old proverb is doubly true for genealogists. Not everything to be found about your family history is online, or in an archive. In many cases, it lies with the old man (or woman) who lives down the road from your ancestral home, who remembers from his youth your great great grandmother. If you're lucky, he might even be willing to sit down and discuss the time he helped her pick her carrots or describe the way she liked to spend her Sunday afternoons.
If you're able, a trip to your ancestral stomping ground might prove more prosperous than you could ever imagine. Carefully research the area before you go, pack an audio recorder, a pen and paper. Then it's a matter of finding the old man - if he exists! Try the post office; they might be able to point you towards some families that have been around the longest. If you do find someone, be polite and sympathetic, especially if you're asking them to take time for you or to discuss a chapter of their lives that may not include the most pleasant memories.
But, don't delay, the old man is getting older. If you have tried this, or try it in the future and want to share your story on this blog, you can do so in the comments. Then others can learn from your experiences. Happy travels
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Tips in family history methodology for genealogists of all experience levels - and a few ideas thrown in as well.
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