Can knowing ones past family history be helpful?

Question

Can knowing ones past family history be helpful?

Answer 1

Of course,  for many reasons!

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Answer 2

Defining "helpful" is different for us all.  My mother had many issues, that until I learned about her childhood, made no sense to me.  I had much more compassion after that. It might also help you to understand strengths or beliefs of your family/ relatives.  

I have reservations about doing genealogy for material reasons, but I do know that some lineage organizations (like Daughters of American Revolution) do have such things as scholarships for qualified members/ families.

And, it can be a double edged sword.  Many persons learn about scandals, or family secrets. These are things that I try to look at with detachment.. they are not good/ bad, they are just facts.  

Most persons who research their own background feel a lot of satisfaction, not from being from prestigious lines, but just the knowledge of all the challenges their family faced.

Answer 3

Yes,

What if your family decended from some sort of royalty? Or what if you have to prove a point to someone? I particually  like to do family history because i think it is fun.

Answer 4

I'm currently working on my family tree and find it very helpfully for medical reasons to find out rather an illness you have is gentic or not an example:  2 of my relatives had polio and one had Cererbal Palsy.  

I also find it helpful for example, my great grandfather's dad's first wife is the granddaughter to Andrew Carangie and although it didn't help me get a full ride to Carangie Mellon In Pa it did enable me to get a some FA from the school.

Answer 5

Of course, knowing where you came from is always a good thing. You can see where your looks come from and it can help you understand why your parents, etc... are the way they are.

Answer 6

I found a lot of dirt from my family. For example one of my great uncles was a murder. I never new that because nobody ever wanted to talk about it.

Answer 7

It might be helpful to know if there is a disease that is genetic.  Knowing the medical history of your ancestors is always  a good thing.