Ah there you are Ishmael. I see you have signed your papers and will be bunking with Queequeg. I hope your first night together will be interesting. Before we embark on our voyage, I feel that this genealogical adventure needs a little back story. You know, the whys need to be all established. The biggest why would be, “why is Cptn.J so interested in Genealogy?”

To understand that, you have to understand the man behind Cptn.j. I love history. There is nothing more exciting to me than reading the words of the founding fathers of American. They were great giants of men. The words of Benjamin Franklin are inspiring and interesting. Thomas Jefferson’s view of politics and the rights of the people helped establish a constitution that dozens of countries have tried to emulate. Then later in our history you end up with Henry David Thoreau. With the works of Walden and Civil Disobedience,  he later inspired great men like Martin Luther King Jr, and Gandhi.

These men and their writings have helped shape who I am, and helped strengthened many of my beliefs. As I studied them, my mind wandered to my ancestors. Who were they and what words did they say? What things did they do that can inspire and mold me? I was lucky. I had the writings of three generations in a single book. I talked a little about that book last week. It is called Pioneering in the West. It contains the stories of my ancestors. To my luck, it is inspiring and they were great men, married to amazing women. As I read more of the words written, my mind wandered to other of my ancestors and their stories. This contained only three men’s writings. How many more are out there? More than anything I want to find those stories. I want to know those men and women that share my genes. It is a strong bond.

In this adventure I hope you find one story that inspires you, because one story will never feed your desire. You will need to seek out more stories. As those people become more than a name your heart will yearn to find more. In time you will find yourself standing next to me harpoon in hand attempting to slay your own whale. I hope to be there helping.

Next week we will get our sea legs, and learn about FamilySearch. Until next time, your Captain for this adventure Cptn.J