I regard myself as being absolutely outside the typical demographic of genealogists; I'm young, does not particuarly like my extended family, and my family does not really have an interest in it. Nevertheless, I still think genealogy is one of my favorite hobbies that I have and I highly recommend everyone, no matter your circumstance, to at least take a cursory glance at it.
I first became aware of genealogy through a spiritual context, which perhaps still influences my views on the matter. I'm not entirely sure how I was introduced to it, but when I was a pagan I was very interested in ancestor veneration and ideas of filial piety. This probably comes from an extrapolation of one of my core wishes: I do not want to be forgotten. I want to be remembered forever. There is nothing I dread more than the idea of being completely erased from history, that I did not make a single mark on this Earth. By engaging in ancestor veneration, I could extend this wish backwards: I will not let them be forgotten by the sands of time. These people were almost certainly not great people, and I know many of them were probably abusive or just horrible. They also would hate who I am as a queer person. However, I still believe that since they were still people who once lived, they deserve to at least have their name remembered; further, without them, I wouldn't exist. I can only hope the same courtesy will be given to me after I die.
Perhaps this is a vain attempt at creating a legacy when, being gay, I will almost certaintly never have children. I am not continuing the family name through offspring, but I'm making sure that it is as accurate as possible.
So thus, here it is: my research into my ancestors, to make sure that they are remembered ad infitum.
A note on the pages themselves: neither the sources nor the research are up to my current standards. I am gradually making my way through my ancestors to make sure that they will be, but for the moment they do not. Expect that in a later update!
If you are interested in genealogy, check out my comprehensive guide!
NOTE THAT THIS SECTION IS VERY UNDER DEVELOPMENT. SO PAGES WILL LOOK BAD AND ALSO NOT SOURCED.