Family Chart

“Remember the days of old; consider the generations long past.
Ask your father and he will tell you, your elders, and they will explain to you.”
Deuteronomy 32:7

“What great things we have heard, and we have known,
That our ancestors have told us.
We will not keep them from our children,
We will tell the next generation
about the Lord's power and his great deeds
and the wonderful things he has done.
That the next generation might know them,
the children yet unborn,
and in turn shall tell their children,
so that they put their trust in God.”
Psalms 78:3-4, 6-7

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The practice of tracing and recording our lineage and family history is one of the very oldest and most universally adopted traditions on Earth, deeply engrained in nearly every ancient civilization throughout the world. Even before the written word, family histories were passed down from generation to generation through storytelling and practiced recitations. There seems to be a common recognition across all peoples of the wisdom captured in the ancient Chinese proverb that “To forget one’s ancestors is to be a brook without a source, a tree without a root.”

There is profound spiritual power that can come from engaging in genealogy and understanding the stories of our ancestors. The work of family history is not merely an exercise in historical research, it is a sacred endeavor that connects us to the divine tapestry of God’s family. By learning about our ancestors' lives, we gain strength and inspiration from their experiences. Their stories of faith, perseverance, and devotion can guide us in our own spiritual journeys. As we come to understand their trials and triumphs, we see the Lord’s hand in the details of their lives, urging us to trust in His constant care and perfect timing.

Moreover, as we engage in this sacred work, we are blessed with a deeper sense of identity and purpose. We come to see ourselves as part of an eternal family, connected through generations by covenants and divine heritage. This understanding fortifies our faith and anchors us amidst the challenges of mortality, for, in the words of an African proverb, “When your roots are deep, there is no reason to fear the wind.”