Have you ever stopped to consider the vast network of relatives that extends beyond your immediate family? We often think of parents, siblings, and maybe grandparents when we talk about family, but what about cousins? Delving into your Cousin Family Tree can unlock a richer understanding of your heritage and connections you never knew existed.
eowyn
My journey into the world of genealogy started much like many others – with a curiosity about where I came from. As the Chief Cousin Coordinator for the Global Family Reunion, an ambitious project aiming to connect everyone on Earth through their family trees, I’ve come to realize the profound impact of understanding your cousin family tree. Initially, when I joined AJ Jacobs in planning this massive gathering, I was unaware of the incredible scope of family history. It all began when I heard AJ discussing his vision for the world’s largest family reunion on NPR. Working with WikiTree.com, a free collaborative genealogy platform dedicated to building a single global family tree, aligned perfectly with this vision. WikiTree’s mission to connect everyone resonated deeply with the idea of a Global Family Reunion, and we eagerly offered our support.
My fascination with AJ Jacobs predates the Global Family Reunion. I remember discovering his book, “The Know-It-All,” years ago, a humorous account of his attempt to read the entire Encyclopedia Britannica. While my own encyclopedic ambitions stalled around “aardvark,” I admired his dedication and was intrigued by his intellect. Learning about his foray into family history was exciting, and WikiTree was thrilled to assist with his research. When AJ invited me to join the Global Family Reunion team, it felt like a natural fit, especially considering we are only 25 steps apart on the Global Family Tree! It felt like saying yes to family.
My personal exploration of family history began at 14, accompanying my mother, a family history consultant, to the local LDS church. This early hobby evolved into a profession about six years ago, and being part of the Global Family Reunion has been an extraordinary highlight. One of the most rewarding outcomes of this endeavor is witnessing how the concept of a global family sparks interest in individuals who may have never considered their origins or who yearn for a sense of belonging, particularly if their upbringing lacked a strong family connection.
As Alex Haley eloquently stated, “In all of us there is a hunger, marrow deep, to know our heritage – to know who we are and where we came from. Without this enriching knowledge, there is a hallow yearning. No matter what our attainments in life, there is still a vacuum, an emptiness and the most disquieting loneliness.” This sentiment resonates deeply with my own experience as an adopted individual. While I cherish my adoptive family, including wonderful parents, a brother, and nieces, there was always a part of me curious about my biological roots. Like Boyd K. Packer said, “The process of searching, the means of going after those names is worth all the effort you could invest. The reason: you cannot research names without knowing they represent people. When we research our own lines we become interested in more than just names, we seek to find them – and know them.” I researched my adoptive family history, but the question of my biological family lingered.
In 2004, a chance online encounter led me to my birth mother. Ironically, it was my own experience as a birth mother, having placed a child for adoption years prior, that spurred this discovery. Working in a bookstore and noticing the scarcity of adoption books, especially those capturing the emotional depth of the experience, inspired me to write my own book on the subject. While researching adoption statistics online, a pop-up window declared, “Click here to see who is looking for you!” Skeptical yet intrigued, I entered my birth information. To my astonishment, a profile appeared – my birth mother and her family had been searching for me for years. It contained names of her siblings and my biological father and his siblings. I was stunned. These were the people I had wondered about for so long.
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Connecting with family: The author (right) with her birth mother.
It took a few weeks to locate my birth mother’s brother, who lived nearby. My nervous phone call to him led to a life-changing conversation. After some initial skepticism, he warmly exclaimed, “I guess that makes me your uncle!” Soon after, my birth mother called, her first question filled with vulnerability: “Do you hate me?” I was profoundly grateful to reassure her of my gratitude and thank her for her selfless decision. Since then, I’ve built a relationship with her and her family, exploring the branches of my newly discovered cousin family tree. My biological father’s family remains a mystery, but with advancements in DNA technology, I am hopeful to connect with distant cousins and piece together his side of my family. These are the kinds of connections I wish for everyone seeking to understand their origins.
Helping others connect to something larger than themselves, fostering a sense of belonging, and aiding in self-discovery is at the heart of the Global Family Reunion. Since its inception, we’ve received nearly 50,000 inquiries from individuals eager to find their place in the Global Family Tree. Our dedicated volunteer researchers have successfully connected over 1,000 surnames across more than 100 countries and every continent except Antarctica. The notion of global interconnectedness is a powerful one. It prompts us to reconsider our relationships with everyone we encounter. Sitting in Central Park recently, observing passersby, I shifted my perspective. Instead of superficial judgments, I wondered about their stories, their ancestry, and where our family lines might intersect. Even with apparent differences, the realization of our shared human connection, however distant, is a powerful tool for empathy and understanding.
Being part of an initiative that supports the fight against Alzheimer’s, a disease that erases precious memories and family histories, adds another layer of significance to the Global Family Reunion. While exploring the past is crucial, preserving present-day stories is equally vital. As Paul Simon wrote, “Long ago it must be, I have a photograph, preserve your memories, they’re all that’s left you.” Engage with your parents and grandparents, record and cherish the stories they share.
In closing, consider Laurence Overmire’s insightful question: “Over the course of the millennia, all these multitudes of ancestors, generation upon generation, have come down to this moment in time – to give birth to you. There has never been, nor, will ever be another like you. What will you do with your time on the Earth? How will you contribute to the ongoing story of humankind?” Let us contemplate our place within the vast Global Family Tree, how it shapes our interactions, and the legacy we will leave. It’s definitely something to think about as you explore your own cousin family tree.
