
Challenges are an inevitable part of life. As I reflect on my own struggles, I can’t help but think of the challenges my ancestors faced—hardships that tested their resilience and shaped their futures. What I’ve come to realize is that the challenges they endured have given me more than just my family history; they’ve given me the strength to face my own adversities. Their struggles have become my lessons, teaching me perseverance, patience, problem-solving, empathy, and the ability to embrace uncertainty. These are all skills I need to get through this life, and I hope my children and grandchildren will carry within themselves.
Understanding the Bigger Picture
When I look at history and its impact on my ancestors’ lives, I realize that most struggles are part of something bigger than we can immediately comprehend. Events like war, starvation, and the search for religious freedom were temporary obstacles my ancestors had to navigate. Their struggles remind me that the difficulties I encounter are also temporary, even when they feel overwhelming.
My ancestors in Ireland endured starvation yet managed to survive. My third great-grandfather, Pvt. Jasper Killion, barely made it out of Andersonville Prison alive, but he walked away as one of the lucky ones. My Stoner/Steiner ancestors left Switzerland in search of religious freedom, and my second great-grandfather left Swaffham Prior, England, under circumstances I still need to uncover. Each of these individuals faced challenges that seemed insurmountable, yet they persevered.
Reflecting on their experiences helps me see the broader context of my own struggles. War, famine, and lack of opportunity are not just historical events—they are ongoing realities in today’s world. Knowing that my ancestors fought through their hardships for the hope of a better future encourages me to push forward no matter the obstacles I face for future generations.
Patience Is Our Superpower
I have always been a patient person, but genealogy research has taught me patience in ways I never expected. Records get lost, leads go cold, and breakthroughs take time—sometimes years. My ancestors’ stories didn’t unfold overnight, and uncovering them won’t either. I’ve accepted that I might never learn every detail, but that doesn’t stop me from continuing the search. I figure everything I find to pass on to my future generations will be a piece of the family history that they can build on. I am sure the complete family story will never be 100% uncovered.
This patience extends beyond research; it’s a lesson in life itself. There are things I may never fully understand, but I’ve learned to trust the process. I may not find every answer about an ancestor, but I can keep searching, knowing that even the slightest clue can open a new door. Just as my ancestors waited for change, I, too, can wait for answers to come in their own time.
Problem Solvers
As historians and genealogists we are natural problem solvers. Some of us get better as the years of looking for our ancestors pass us by. We piece together fragmented information, uncover hidden connections, and think critically about the past. These skills extend beyond research—they help us tackle life’s challenges with a sense of curiosity and determination.
Many of my ancestors took drastic steps to solve their problems—boarding ships, leaving behind familiar lands, and seeking new beginnings. I can't image going to a different county without learning about it first, of course as a child I was forced into the situation of experience this, but I wasn't the one who decided to take that step onto a plane and fly across the world. Others found less dramatic but equally courageous ways to change their circumstances. Their ability to problem-solve in the face of uncertainty reminds me that I, too, can navigate the unexpected twists and turns of life.
Understanding what my ancestors endured helps me view current events with a different perspective. Their stories remind me that behind every hardship in the news, there are real people facing challenges, just as my ancestors once did. Empathy allows me to connect with others in a meaningful way, recognizing that resilience is a universal human trait.
Embracing Uncertainty
One of the biggest lessons my journey has taught me is that I won’t have all the answers. Some records are lost forever, some mysteries remain unsolved. Rather than letting that frustrate me, I’ve learned to embrace the unknown. This can be a challenge too!
Life is full of unanswered questions, and sitting with uncertainty is one of the hardest things to do. But if my ancestors could do it—waiting for change, hoping for better opportunities—so can I. Their endurance through the unknown gives me the confidence to face whatever challenges and uncertainties life throws my way.
Challenges shape us, just as they shaped our ancestors. Through their struggles, I’ve learned valuable lessons about resilience, patience, problem-solving, and adaptability. Their strength lives on in me, guiding me through my own challenges. When life gets difficult, I remind myself that if they could endure and build a future, then so can I.
My legacy is more than just history—it’s a source of strength that carries me forward.
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