ENJOY NATURE - AND FAMILY RESEARCH


It is in my view very important that we – also in these special times – do other things and follow other events that all what is related to the corona pandemic.  There ARE other important issues in the world.  

 Take NATURE – just outside our windows.  Spring is here, though still chilly.    Enjoy your garden and surroundings.  Go for a walk.   And you can also go for a walk in nature on the internet. Do you know the tulip park in Keukenhof in The Netherlands?  It is closed right now due to the lock-down.  But you can enjoy it on the web:  https://keukenhof.nl/en


And Google Earth has recently arranged a virtual tour to 31 wonderful parks around the world:




You know what?  Imagine the day when all this crisis is over.  And you think: How did I actually use this special time?  And if your answer will be:  Not for much. Not for something new and inspiring.  I think that would be sad.
I am an old genealogist.  I have been doing my family history for more than 50 years. Those living today as well as those ancestors who are no more around. It has brought me immense happiness and joy.   Have you ever tried?   
It is not difficult. And especially not nowadays, when the archives in most countries have put a lot of information on-line – and often to be used for free.
Have a try to look at these rich sources on the web:
Belgium:     http://arch.arch.be/index.php?l=en&m=genealogist 

Denmark:   https://www.sa.dk/en/

Germany:   https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/Germany_Archives_and_Libraries

France:       https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/France_Online_Genealogy_Records

UK :            https://www.freeukgenealogy.org.uk/



The biggest archives in genealogy are those owned and made available by the Mormons in Utah in the US:  https://www.familysearch.org/en/ 



Now, when you have collected a lot of information ( I have myself information on about 4.000 persons ) it is very important to keep it in order, so that you can find it again – and ensure that the relations between persons are correctly noted.
There are many services available for that, most of them for pay.  Such as:
Brother’s Keeper:      https://www.bkwin.org/ 

Ancestry:                    https://www.ancestry.com/

My Heritage:              https://www.myheritage.com/


Have a good look.  Most of them offer a certain time for free – just to try them.



So much about that.  Have fun!    And remember: your children, grandchildren and great grandchildren many years ahead will very much appreciate the work you do on that.  It does not have to be huge.  Just try!

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