Calling of Ancestors: Finding Forgotten Secrets in My DNA by Kennerly Clay seems to be part memoir and part genealogy. This short story covers morCalling of Ancestors: Finding Forgotten Secrets in My DNA by Kennerly Clay seems to be part memoir and part genealogy. This short story covers more than one might expect in 26 pages. The author explores what she discovered about her family history using DNA testing and genealogy research. However she goes a step further and looks at epigenetic research and how lifestyle, trauma, and more can affect future generations.
The author finds a concealed or forgotten link to African bloodlines and works to identify this part of her family. As she explores her family history, she reflects on events that have occurred since she was a child, including racism within her family and her own biases as well as the constraints on lives due to the color of one’s skin and the accompanying injustices that occur.
Overall, this was an interesting short story, but I was expecting more on the actual genealogy research. Additionally, it felt somewhat disorganized and the writing style did not pull me into the story as I had hoped.
Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. ...more
The Soul of the Family Tree – Ancestors, Stories, and the Spirits We Inherit by Lori Erickson is categorized as genealogy but also as inspiration The Soul of the Family Tree – Ancestors, Stories, and the Spirits We Inherit by Lori Erickson is categorized as genealogy but also as inspiration and spirituality and religion and spirituality. To me, there was some genealogy, but to me it felt like a memoir where the author was writing about an important part of her life; exploring the influences that helped shape her. She grew up in the Norwegian American town of Decorah, Iowa.
While the author’s fascination began with genetic heritage, it moved on to how forces in the past may have impacted her. Could some of her traits such as her love for travel have been passed down to her? She felt she shared more with her ancestors than just DNA. Her explorations included visits to Newfoundland as she explored information about Vinland, visits to various museums and to several locations in Norway, participation in a Viking reenactment, and even learning about Norse runes. She was fascinated by the number of authors, artists, musicians, and scholars that have been influenced by Norse culture and how it has been reinterpreted.
There is only a small amount of information on DNA and primary versus secondary source documents used in genealogy research. Most of the book is the author’s personal journey to help her better understand herself and those that influenced her whether it was people, religion, traditions or something else.
This book was not quite what I expected, but I am glad I read it. I learned a few things and enjoyed the occasional humor. If you are interested in Vikings lore, this book spends a lot of time exploring various aspects of it. It is not an in-depth book on genealogy.
Westminster John Knox Press and Lori Erickson provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. This is my honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. Publication date is currently set for August 24, 2021. ...more
Clear, concise information on immigration and naturalization records for "new" genealogists. It also serves as a refresher and a reference for "intermClear, concise information on immigration and naturalization records for "new" genealogists. It also serves as a refresher and a reference for "intermediate" genealogists. I have found at least one web address that has changed slightly (pg. 51 - Immigrant Servants Database). However if you search for "immigrant servants database", you will find the updated address.
Overall, the quality of the book has made me want to explore other books by W. Daniel Quillen....more
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