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Today we'll be talking about country culture. This is a subject people catch onto quickly. You always hear people say things like, "I'm one quarter Welsh", or "I'm part Japanese", or "my family is Irish". Regardless of where a person lives, they feel a connection to where their ancestors have lived and "who" their ancestors are. I hope a can share some simple ways to connect with the cultures that have helped make you who you are. And, I'll share a few ideas of ways to pass on that important cultural heritage to the next generations.

 

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We associate who we are with where we're from. You'll hear people say, "Oh, I've only lived here for a few years...I'm really from New Jersey" or "My husband and I live here for now, but our families are from Canada". Countries and cultures are intertwined. So, let's start with where you and you're ancestors are from. All you need is your pedigree chart. Let me check mine...starting with me, I'm American, Swedish, Canadian, Danish, Norwegian, British, English, Welsh, Prussian, and Dutch. The reason that I bring this up is this: your ancestors were influenced by where they lived and the culture that was all around them. And, of course, you've been influenced by those ancestors. Which means...I am interested in the Welsh culture, and Dutch culture and Swedish culture. And if I ever find out that I have ancestors from Mexico or Pakistan, India or China, I'll instantly be more interested in those culture because I will know that it is part of who I am.

 

 

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There is a lot to country culture. Defining a culture is almost impossible and you always run the risk of stereotyping cultures. So I think I'm going to just stick with four basic areas: place, language, food, and music. Studying those four subjects will help you understand the cultures that are in your blood and the people that are in your family. Let's start with "place"...

 

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Take some time to study the countries that you're ancestors are from. You'd need to start by choosing a particular country. Obviously you'd start on the internet. But, before you do that...do you know anyone who has lived in the country you're starting on? I was visiting with one of my friends about genealogy. She has a fairly distinct accent. I inquired and she shared with me that she was from Sweden and had lived there from birth until about age 21. Not only that, but she had lived right in the city where my ancestors were from. What a rich source of information on what it is like to live there! Talking with her helped me picture what life for my ancestors may have been like. You could invite a person who has lived in the country you're studying over to visit with your children and grandchildren about what life is like in that country.

 

 

As a side note, you will surely want to go to Wikipedia.com for information about countries. The website is in the show notes.

 

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The food ideas are the most enjoyable and for obvious reason. Almost everyone loves to eat. So, find a restaurant that serves food from the country of your ancestors. Or, learn to cook a few dishes. If you get online, or inquire in some larger cities, you'll find stores that cater to those who want to bake cultural dishes. It would be a great tradition to have a genealogically significant dish once a month in your home, or every Christmas, or on someone's birthday. Search for and swap cultural recipes with family members who would appreciate it. Buy a cookbook from the country you're studying. Have the neighbors over and introduce them to a new dish. Again, there are a lot of ideas surrounding food that can be enjoyed by any family.

 

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Lastly, let's talk music. Music is also a sure way to connect with your past and with countries of interest to you and your family. I know families who listen to music that you would expect normal families to listen to (the definition of "normal" is up for debate) but they have collected a group of CD's from a certain country that their ancestors have hailed from. Listening to that music sure helps make a family history connection. Plus, these days, iTunes makes it easy to sample 30 seconds of music before you buy, and you can buy one song at a time for 99 cents a piece. If you play an instrument, try learning some tunes that are associated with your family's culture. Spend some time researching and enjoying music that your ancestors may have been familiar with. Maybe you can catch a concert where someone is singing or playing music that is culturally significant to you. It'll pay off.

 

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As always...share what you learn with your family...brothers, sisters, grandchildren, parents...these ideas may excite some feelings in them that they didn't know existed....

 

Ok...sorry this is so long...but these are some of the ideas I'm most excited about...Remember to email me the list of countries your ancestors are from and I'll get started on the map...More ideas to come!!!