NOTE: I accepted the 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks challenge headed by fellow genealogy blogger Amy Johnson Crow. The idea behind this challenge is that you will receive email prompts, a word or phrase, every week, and you find something about your research or family history to write about. Click HERE to read my first 52 Ancestors blog post in 2019.
Music has always been like another member of my family in a way. Music has always been present at every gathering, playing in the background while cooking or cleaning, and with us during every celebration of our family. I love to sing. I have the kind of voice that is only for the church congregation, in the shower, or alone in my car.
As I have grown deeper into my role as family historian, music has become an unexpected companion on this journey. Whether I’m digging into archives, driving down the highway on a research trip, or simply needing a spark of inspiration, I find myself playing a playlist I created just for my family history moments.
At the top of the list is Uniting, the RootsTech theme song. It is a reminder of how connected we all are through stories and generations. Then there’s One Step a Time by Jordin Sparks. This song holds a special place in my family history journey because she performed it live at RootsTech 2023. I Believe by Fantasia pushes me forward on days when documents are hard to find and answers feel out of reach. The Climb by Miley Cyrus reminds me that genealogy is a journey, and every brick wall is just part of the path. Wish U Were Here by Jamie Foxx brings to mind the ancestors I wish I could sit down with. And of course, That’s Life because if any song captures the twists, turns, surprises, and emotions of family history it’s this song.
Music has followed me through courthouses, cemeteries, libraries, car/plane rides, and during genealogy conference breaks. In every setting, the music settles my nerves, encourages me, and reminds me why I do this work.
Journey Through the Generations 
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