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Take me right? I have ancestors I know nothing about. I was doing some research just now on Ancestry. Apparently I have Swedish records going back to the mid 1500s. Only problem is, I know nothing about these people. Why is it that we know nothing about those before us?

I've taken to archiving everything I can. I have some knowledge up to a few of my third great-grandparents. Anything prior I don't know. If you can, I'd recommend doing the same. Be warned though, it is time consuming. You also may dig up stuff about people and or yourself you may find shocking (and the rest I'd have to write is for another post).

So what do you all think? Why is it we don't know about our past ancestors?

Take me right? I have ancestors I know nothing about. I was doing some research just now on Ancestry. Apparently I have Swedish records going back to the mid 1500s. Only problem is, I know nothing about these people. Why is it that we know nothing about those before us? I've taken to archiving everything I can. I have some knowledge up to a few of my third great-grandparents. Anything prior I don't know. If you can, I'd recommend doing the same. Be warned though, it is time consuming. You also may dig up stuff about people and or yourself you may find shocking (and the rest I'd have to write is for another post). So what do you all think? Why is it we don't know about our past ancestors?

(post is archived)

[–] 2 pts

I'm full Western European.

Father's side is from Argentina, Spanish and Italian. I don't know much about it.

Mother's side, it's odd.

Maternal grandfather has a father with long time American heritage. The last person who knew a lot about the father's family died in 2016. That side no one knows much. My great-grandfather didn't really talk much about his family. I think there was a lot of problems. Like his father/my 2nd great-grandfather married a woman who was three years older than my great-grandfather. The two had five kids together. Never knew about marriage number three till a year ago.

Maternal grandfather's mom has direct tied to Sweden. Again no clue about that. But we do have a journal or two people kept that was in Swedish and a bunch of old pics and scrapbooks from that side.

Maternal grandmother's family is more comical and complicated.

Maternal grandmother's father is of Irish descent on his dad's side and English on the mother's. For whatever reason, never spoke much about it. His paternal grandfather was a drink asshole and got my 2nd great-grandfather and siblings orphaned. My great-grandfather died 2010 do that info is lost and his sister died too. The sister's daughter may know some stuff. There's also extended family for various reasons we don't talk to cause problems.

Maternal grandmother's family is from Canada. They were potato farmers. Anything prior to 3rd great-grandparents, we know nothing. And in certain parts of that family, nothing but fighting. It's almost laughable at best.

So that's some insight and you're probably right. Some of my ancestors were probably not the best people

[–] 1 pt

Sorry OP. I was being facetious. That sucks. But you could always do your own research and write quick paragraph size bios on each person...

[–] 1 pt

I've been documenting everything I can about my family. I know a lot about the great-grandparents on my mom's side and have spoken extensively with one of them.