Expectations

Expectations in life can bring feelings of elevating joy or groans of depressing unhappiness depending on the results of our plans, what we like, etc.

As I am sitting here typing this “paper”, I am thinking about “what is happening”? How did I get into this position? Is it good or bad? Let’s explore some more. Where do I go from here? My expectations.

Well, I guess I will start at the beginning. Usually, some expectations come up in a story. I have six sons, and they wanted information about our family history. My wife was interested too and I am sure she aided and abetted their desire for “family” information. Result, I could see the family expectations center in finding more information.

I was stuck. I couldn’t see any way out of the request. Worse, I had the same want of family history etc. Expectations of family learning more of their background sky rocketed.

Not knowing how one does research for a family history, I figured I could waste a lot of time and money and not reach my expected results. I already had a “family chart” which was useful as it showed where family members fit in relation to each other. It was great to use and interesting to study. By now I realized that the word “family” had a wider description then the usual father—mother—children, and I had stories in my memory of the wider family that I had already heard. So I started looking around.

As I talked to friends and other people, I found that there were other people wanting to know about their families, and discovered there were groups where this word —genealogy– being the key word. There was one thing that was amusing, that all researchers had the same expectations. This was that their next effort would reveal something about their family. It could be of the family, or a possible clue to where to research or look for additional clues if this one was not useful.

One of the benefits of joining with others is the opportunity to discover how other people researched their families. Ask them their expectations.

Of course some people expectations were fulfilled. It didn’t take me long to realize that expectations was a word with a very wide meaning etc. ‘Expectation” had no definition as we normally use it. Add time and an event, (action) I expect the phrase “It is going to rain tonight.” is a good example of a useful expectation. Tonight takes care of the time and rain is the event. When people are looking for information,

When we genealogy searchers are working, we have a wide area of expectation. Not only we have to get the right person we want to review and record information about, we need to learn when the event occurred, maybe why, others involved etc. All the information you can get, verification if necessary or possible. There is not too much information, you will be surprised at how much will be used. If you can’t use it, don’t be surprised if you may have friends and associates that can use the information.

When we come across information we presently don’t need, save. While you think that is wasteful, you are forgetting the key to this paper—expectations. While you are interested in your present target, you may have something happen in your searches, or meet other researchers, and find your stored information very useful. Someone else may be expecting to find that information and you can help them. Help them in their expectations.

And best wishes in your expectation of finding family information.

Now to complete my original expectation. I expected to tell this story. I expected to provide you with information on getting started on “family research”. And finally, to reveal if I am in a good or bad position. My expectation is aaaah—so so. Not good—not bad—barely ok. Thanks!

One of the benefits of joining was the opportunity to discover how other people researched their families. Expectations were realized.