off-topic: Welcome to the board,
@Jedijanewadopttoo . It's nice to have someone around with a username even more unpronounciable than my one
almost on-topic: Rather a lot of Americans appear to be interested in genealogy. Is there a particular reason or is it just that as a people you're comparatively young and therefore can't go that far back on your continent? (Native Americans excluded, of course, and no offense intended)
on topic (finally) : Many - sadly not all - church records in Bavaria have been digitalized in recent decades. If any of you need help tracing Bavarian ancestors, I'll gladly assist.
I have relatives in the SF area to which my mother lost contact ages ago and I managed to trace their current address. Do you think they'd welcome being contacted by a distant relative (I am only a 2nd cousin by marriage) or do you think they'd rather be left alone? I'm a bit insecure how to act. While I'd find it nice to get into contact with distant branches of the family, they might perhaps feel molested by a letter from a complete stranger. I'm not really familiar with the American etiquette and way of thinking. How would you react in such a situation (i.e. if a stranger would contact you telling you the're your relative)
First question about Americans being interested in genealogy. I personally have not found too many people that are interested. My husband for an example couldn’t care less. But for those that are I think it is fun to find out your heritage. Many of early Americans were forced to completely assimilate upon arrival and as a result have lost many cultural traits of our ancestors. My grandfather came from Holland when he was ten and was made fun of at school. During that first year in America he vowed to never speak Dutch again. My grandmother’s parents came from then Prussia. My grandma went to her grave know even knowing where her parents came from. She had no idea that their first language was Polish. I found her parents on Ancestry.com. So I think earlier generations melted into the population and many never looked back. This has lead to many asking, “What am I?”
As for reaching out to your second cousins. I myself have second cousins from that Polish side of the family living in the same town that I live in. They have no idea I exist. I decided to be brave and mail one a Christmas card. I put myself out there. This strange person now has my address and pictures of my family. A couple months went by and a strange man knocked at my door. A second cousin! My Christmas card was passed through the family to someone who wanted to know more and reach out. I don’t recommend showing up on someone’s doorstep like he did but I do think a letter would be fine. I have contacted people on Ancestry.com and RARELY get a response. One would think they would respond since they are actively researching but clearly not. My father has had better luck with our Swedish Finnish side of the family. His emails were answered and we have connected with our long lost family in Finland. So, in todays world a letter out of nowhere may freak out some but take that leap and you may make a new connection. Also be careful as well, I have found a second cousin or two that I would NOT want to contact.
