How I Got Hooked on Genealogy (and Why You Might Too)

It started with a baptism record. One little slip of paper from 1843. And boom. I was hooked.

Genealogy isn’t just a hobby. It’s an obsession. A puzzle. A mystery. And once you start, you can’t stop.

That record? It was the key that unlocked a door to my past. A door I didn’t even know existed. And once I stepped through, there was no turning back.

Here’s why I fell down the genealogy rabbit hole – and why you might too.

The Spark: My First Ancestral Discovery

That baptism record? It was for my 2x great-grandfather, John McDermott. Born in County Leitrim, Ireland.

One record. So many questions.

Who were his parents? Their names were written there, but who were they?

Why did they leave Ireland? Where did they go?

I had to know more. And so began my journey.

The record was faded. Hard to read. But there it was in black and white (well, more like sepia and cream): John McDermott, son of Bartholomew McDermott and Catherine Geehern.

Names I’d never heard before. People I’d never known existed. Suddenly, they were real. My flesh and blood.

I wanted to know everything about them. What they looked like. What they sounded like. What dreams they had. What hardships they faced.

One little record. A whole new world.

5 Reasons I Fell in Love with Genealogy

1.The thrill of the hunt

Genealogy is detective work. You’re piecing together clues. Following leads. Hitting dead ends.

And then – breakthrough.

There’s nothing like the rush of finding that missing puzzle piece. Of connecting the dots. Of solving a mystery that’s been unsolved for generations.

It’s addictive. Trust me.

I spent months trying to find what happened to John after 1899. Where did he go? Why wasn’t he living with his family?

I scoured census records. City directories. Cemetery plots. Nothing.

Then, on a hunch, I checked a FindaGrave listing. And there he was. Buried in a different cemetery than his wife and children.

The thrill was electric. The satisfaction, immense.

But it wasn’t just about finding him. It was about the chase. The problem-solving. The eureka moment.

That’s what keeps you coming back for more.

2. Connecting with history on a personal level

History comes alive when it’s your history.

My ancestors lived through the Irish Potato Famine until they were forced to leave for the U.S. They built lives from nothing in a new country.

These aren’t just dates in a textbook anymore. They’re the stories of my family. My blood.

I found myself diving deep into the history of 19th century Ireland. The political climate. The economic conditions. The social norms.

Suddenly, I understood why my ancestors made the choices they did. Why they left everything behind for an uncertain future in America.

I walked the streets of Newark, New Jersey, where they settled. Imagining what it was like for them. The sights. The sounds. The smells.

Granted, Newark smells a bit different today, but I digress.

History became personal. Tangible. Real.

3. Solving family mysteries

Every family has legends. Rumors. Secrets.

Were we really related to Irish royalty? (Spoiler: We weren’t.)

Did great-grandpa really change his name when he came to America? (He didn’t.)

Was there really a black sheep of the family who ran off to join the circus? (Jury’s still out on that one.)

Genealogy lets you separate fact from fiction. To uncover the truth behind the stories.

One of our family mysteries was what happened to John McDermott. Why did his wife start calling herself a widow years before he actually died?

Through careful research, I discovered that they had likely separated. Living apart for the last 10-15 years of their lives.

It wasn’t the romantic story we’d imagined. But it was the truth. And in genealogy, truth is everything.

4. The ever-evolving nature of genealogical research

Genealogy never gets old. Why? Because it’s always changing.

New records are digitized every day. DNA testing opens up new avenues of research. Collaboration tools connect you with distant cousins you never knew existed.

There’s always something new to discover. Always another generation to uncover.

Just when I thought I’d hit a dead end with my McDermott line, a DNA match popped up. Someone who descended from Bartholomew McDermott – potentially my 3x great-grandfather.

It opened up a whole new line of inquiry. New possibilities. New mysteries to solve.

That’s the beauty of genealogy. It’s never finished. There’s always more to learn.

5. Building a legacy for future generations

Genealogy isn’t just about the past. It’s about the future.

I’m preserving my family’s history for my kids. My grandkids. Generations I’ll never meet.

I’m telling the stories that might otherwise be lost to time. I’m keeping the memories alive.

It’s a powerful feeling.

Every document I uncover, every story I piece together, is a gift to future generations. A way for them to understand where they come from. Who they are.

I imagine my great-great-grandchildren reading about John McDermott. About his journey from Ireland to America as a seven-year-old boy. About his struggles and triumphs.

I’m building a bridge between past and future. And that’s incredibly fulfilling.

Unexpected Benefits of Genealogy Research

Genealogy doesn’t just teach you about your family. It teaches you about yourself.

Your research skills skyrocket. Your understanding of geography, migration patterns, and cultural contexts deepens. Your appreciation for different cultures and historical periods grows.

You become a better researcher. A better analyst. A better storyteller.

I developed a keen eye for detail. The ability to spot inconsistencies in records. To question everything and verify facts.

These skills spilled over into other areas of my life. My work. My personal relationships. My understanding of the world.

Genealogy doesn’t just change how you see your family. It changes how you see everything.

Overcoming Common Genealogy Challenges

It’s not all smooth sailing. Genealogy has its challenges.

Conflicting information. Mountains of data to organize. Finding time to research when life gets busy.

But here’s the secret: The challenges make the victories sweeter.

When you finally break through that brick wall? When you finally organize that mess of documents? When you finally carve out time for your passion?

It’s worth it. Every time.

I spent so much time trying to find John McDermott’s death certificate. I searched through microfilm at the State Archives. I combed through newspaper obituaries. Nothing.

It was frustrating. Disheartening. But I didn’t give up.

And when I finally found it? The satisfaction was indescribable. The years of searching made the discovery that much sweeter.

In the end, John’s death was such a big mystery because of mistruths in other records. Almost certainly due to his marriage ending.

That’s the thing about genealogy. The challenges aren’t obstacles. They’re part of the journey. Part of the thrill.

How Technology Has Transformed Genealogy

Technology has revolutionized genealogy. Full stop.

Online databases give you access to billions of records. From your couch. In your pajamas.

DNA testing connects you with cousins across the globe. It confirms (or disproves) family legends. It breaks down brick walls that seemed impenetrable.

Collaboration tools let you work with other researchers in real-time. Share discoveries. Pool resources.

It’s a new world for genealogy. And it’s exciting as hell.

I remember the days of scrolling through microfilm for hours. Of writing letters to distant courthouses and waiting weeks for a response.

Now? I can access census records, birth certificates, ship manifests – all with a few clicks.

I’ve connected with cousins I never knew existed through DNA testing. Shared research with genealogists across the world through online forums.

Technology hasn’t just made genealogy easier. It’s made it more accessible. More collaborative. More exciting.

The Social Aspect of Genealogy

Genealogy isn’t a solitary pursuit. Far from it.

Join a genealogy society. Attend a conference. Participate in online forums.

You’ll meet people who share your passion. Who understand your obsession. Who can help you break through your brick walls.

And who knows? You might even meet a long-lost cousin or two.

I’ve made lifelong friends through genealogy. People who get just as excited as I do about a newly discovered record. Who are willing to spend hours discussing research strategies.

I’ve collaborated with researchers across the globe. Shared resources. Exchanged tips and tricks.

Genealogy isn’t just about discovering your roots. It’s about connecting with people in the present who share your passion for the past.

Genealogy as a Continuous Learning Journey

The learning never stops in genealogy. Ever.

New resources emerge. New methodologies develop. New skills become necessary.

You might find yourself learning paleography to decipher old handwriting. Or diving deep into DNA analysis to make sense of your test results.

The more you learn, the more there is to learn. It’s a beautiful cycle.

I was never the best student in school, especially when it came to world history.

But through genealogy I’ve learned so much about historical contexts I never knew existed. Developed research skills I never thought I’d need.

Delved into genetic genealogy – a field that’s revolutionizing family history research.

Every day brings new challenges. New opportunities to learn and grow.

And that’s the beauty of genealogy. It’s not just about discovering your family’s past. It’s about growing as a researcher, a historian, and a person.

Why You Might Get Hooked Too

Genealogy has universal appeal. Why?

Because everyone wants to know where they come from. Who they are. What stories run in their blood.

It’s about understanding your roots. Contributing to historical knowledge. Discovering yourself in the process.

It’s addictive. It’s rewarding. It’s transformative.

You might start with a simple curiosity about your grandparents. And end up uncovering centuries of family history.

You might begin wanting to create a simple family tree. And find yourself diving deep into historical research, DNA analysis, and archival studies.

Genealogy isn’t just a hobby. It’s a journey of self-discovery. A way to understand your place in the grand tapestry of history.

Final Thoughts

I started with a baptism record. I ended up uncovering a life story filled with courage, conflict, and complexity.

The journey? Incredible. Frustrating. Rewarding. Addictive.

That Y-DNA test was just the beginning. It confirmed my Irish roots, yes. But it was the deep dive into John’s life that truly captivated me.

Imagine my surprise when I discovered John had volunteered for the Civil War. At 18, he enlisted in the 47th Regiment of New York’s Volunteer Infantry. A boy from Ireland, fighting for his new country.

His service records and pension file were a goldmine. Personal letters. Medical reports. A window into his world.

But it wasn’t all heroics and glory. Those letters revealed a painful separation from his wife, Annie. They argued over pension payments, their words a testament to a marriage that had fractured.

I learned why John wasn’t buried with his wife and children. The last 20 years of his life were spent in a home for disabled soldiers. A far cry from the family life he might have imagined.

And then there were the doctor’s notes. Detailed. Intimate. I learned more about my great-great-grandfather’s hemorrhoids than I ever thought possible. History isn’t always glamorous, folks.

Each discovery was a piece of the puzzle. Each document a thread in the tapestry of John’s life.

From that baptism in Gowel Church, County Leitrim, to his final resting place in Holy Sepulcher Cemetery, East Orange, New Jersey. From a 7-year-old immigrant fleeing the Great Famine to a Civil War veteran battling for his pension.

This is what genealogy is about. Not just names and dates. But lives. Stories. The triumphs and the struggles.

It’s about understanding the choices our ancestors made. The hardships they faced. The legacy they left behind.

Genealogy isn’t just a hobby. It’s a journey through time. A chance to walk in your ancestors’ shoes. To see the world through their eyes.

And once you start? You might just find you can’t stop.

Welcome to the obsession. Trust me, you’re going to love it.

Whether you’re just starting out or you’re a seasoned researcher, there’s always more to discover. More stories to uncover. More mysteries to solve.

So dive in. Start your journey. Uncover your roots.

Who knows what you might find? A war hero? A love story? A family secret?

Your ancestors are waiting. Their stories are waiting to be told.

And trust me, those stories? They’re worth every minute of the search.