Emmitt Smith's journey to find his ancestors on last night's "Who Do You Think You Are?" was simply Mahvalous! He did not have any preconceived notions about his greats. All he had was an eagerness to learn. He didn't seem concerned whether any of his ancestors were famous or wishing that they had done something of historical importance. He just wanted to know them.
He began the search with the genealogist's mantra - "Start with what you know." Emmitt knew next to nothing about his grandparents so he went to the most likely source of information - his parents. His search progressed forward with each new piece of information just like it should have.
I am still reading comments left everywhere about the lack of demonstrating the research process. People, people - that is NOT what the show is all about. The show is about discovery of ones self through ones ancestry. Believe it or not, not everyone who is interested in their family history is interested in genealogy or wants to be a genealogist! Yes, they want to know who their ancestors are but they don't necessarily want to do the research themselves. That part of the discovery doesn't appeal to them. Enter - the professional genealogist. I do not intend to miss out on this opportunity.
The joy and "peace" Emmitt displayed at the end of the show was genuine. The best line of the show? At the end when Emmitt says, "It's not HIStory, it's Mystory."
Hey Emmitt - when it really comes down to it, isn't it "OURstory?
Everyone seems to be hung up on the celebrity, Emmet Smith..Mariah was THE ROCK STAR!!! I have been waiting for some to post my response..haven't seen it so here I go..Mariah was passed down through the generations..by name, had all of her children with her..why?..why was her daughter, Mary the only person entombed in the only above ground crypt in the heart of the all white family cemetery?... As the mammies of the family, the two women chose the house servants Mariah birthed all of the children, cared for the mother , wet nursed the babies, nourished the children..all of the things that made life possible..As in Gone With The Wind...Mammy was sent with Scarlet and the girls to the picnic and parties and to Atlanta during the war...she nursed the ill and was the life blood of the plantation in so many ways..Mammies ran the worlds...She was the trusted one..she dried the tears, taught the children how to be strong and smart..Mammy chose the house servants..She was the most likely to read and write and teach the other slaves to read and write..mammy is the one who kept her ear to the ground and informed all of the other slaves of what the plantation owners intended...Was slavery right? ABSOUTLY NOT! We are all trying to be so Politically Correct and it robs the ones who made history of their life’s work even if they were a slave..In my eyes slaves were the ones who made history in America..They made it on their backs and we all, black and white, rob them of their selves and that is not right! Call it like it is and be proud of the fact that your ancestors were whomever and whatever they were.
ReplyDeleteEveryone seems to be hung up on the celebrity, Emmet Smith..Mariah was THE ROCK STAR!!! I have been waiting for some to post my response..haven't seen it so here I go..Mariah was passed down through the generations..by name, had all of her children with her..why?..why was her daughter, Mary the only person entombed in the only above ground crypt in the heart of the all white family cemetery?... As the mammies of the family, the two women chose the house servants Mariah birthed all of the children, cared for the mother , wet nursed the babies, nourished the children..all of the things that made life possible..As in Gone With The Wind...Mammy was sent with Scarlet and the girls to the picnic and parties and to Atlanta during the war...she nursed the ill and was the life blood of the plantation in so many ways..Mammies ran the worlds...She was the trusted one..she dried the tears, taught the children how to be strong and smart..Mammy chose the house servants..She was the most likely to read and write and teach the other slaves to read and write..mammy is the one who kept her ear to the ground and informed all of the other slaves of what the plantation owners intended...Was slavery right? ABSOUTLY NOT! We are all trying to be so Politically Correct and it robs the ones who made history of their life’s work even if they were a slave..In my eyes slaves were the ones who made history in America..They made it on their backs and we all, black and white, rob them of their selves and that is not right! Call it like it is and be proud of the fact that your ancestors were whomever and whatever they were.
ReplyDeleteI like your comment about how not everyone wants to be a genealogist.Somehow we have gotten hung up on this idea there is only one "correct way" to be interested in your family history.I think we loose a lot of folks who might become interested in genealogy and worse a great deal of information by playing "family history police"!
ReplyDeleteEveryone's interest level is going to be different.But a family's history belongs to all it's members.
I am not a professional genealogist but I do love the subject matter very much and particularly enjoy reading articles and posts on people's exciting challenges, discoveries and thrills on genealogy.
ReplyDeleteVery good analysis on Emmit Smith and at the end of th eday lke you say, it's all about people and that is what matters the most.
Great post