Today was my last day at the Family History Library. What a difference Saturday makes! 40 people were lined up waiting for it to open, so I quickly made my spot at a microfiche reader. You can see in the picture that my spot looks like a professional researcher works there! I have a lock for my laptop and everything! Unlike the Library of Congress here they let you bring water in and that is very helpful.
I didn’t make any earth-shattering discoveries here. I found little things out on a variety of people. I found the ship my grandfather’s brother immigrated on, but could not find my grandfather. My research was pretty scattered. I was trying to find something on a lot of people. I was trying to cover a lot of ground in a short time and I had fun doing it! I think it’s best to take one problem, focus on it and run it to the ground before tackling the next. That is what I will do the next time I come- and I will be back! Genealogy will be a great hobby in my old age!
I leave the cool weather tomorrow so I mailed back my heavier clothes, shoes and all my research material to make my suitcase lighter. I’m looking forward to Sedona. I am a bit sheepish to admit it, but even after six weeks off, I find I’m still very tired. We pushed hard in Israel and I pushed hard here, so in Sedona I am going to slow down and allow my body to lead the way. I’ll rest when it says to; hike when it wants to; and sit and read if that feels right.
Update, 10:45 pm:
I retract what I previously said about not learning any new revelations about my family. (Well I did learn my great-grandfather sold birds and fish.) It took me sitting down to write up for my brother what I learned about my maternal grandfather. Between documents my aunt gave me and the research I did here, I have a much more complete picture of who he was. The research shattered some family myths but that is OK. I find the truth more interesting.
This part of my journey relates to the being like an ox who sits around the throne of God. Like the ox I have been frantically digging and tilling the soil. It took a bit of time for something to sprout. I am sure in time I will see more new shoots from my work here. This has been an exciting time of self-discovery!
Looking Out Seeing Within 