Rotary Club: It’s all relative, rather all relatives, says noted genealogist
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula News
Published: May 07, 2008
Cathy Robbins found it was all relative - rather, all relatives - when she became a professional genealogy researcher about 30 years ago, when she went from being largely aware of her family ties to now having more than 24,000 names in her personal database.
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula Times
Cathy Robbins found it was all relative - rather, all relatives - when she became a professional genealogy researcher about 30 years ago, when she went from being largely aware of her family ties to now having more than 24,000 names in her personal database. Robbins, a 50-year city resident, shared with Santa Paula Rotarians just how easy it has become to explore the family tree.
A self-described person of many talents, Robbins said she has found kinship with the relatives she has discovered: “I write poetry, and my family had poets; there was a seamstress and I sew... and, I found that one of my ancestors,” a great-uncle, was a genealogist with the Library of Congress. Robbins also discovered that her family ranges back to Native Americans. “I’m a true American, but I would not have known without a family history.”
The Internet has boosted the chances of finding out details of your ancestry, and Robbins said sites and programs have become not only more extensive but also more popular. “Although some of the sites can rip you off pretty, I’m a real believer of three sites” that offer comprehensive, true information.
“I’ve learned you can’t get away from your genetics,” even when it comes to simple likes and dislikes, and the discovery often offers a better understanding of one’s self reflected in shared interests, hobbies, personality traits and physical resemblances passed from generation to generation.
Robbins has traced the ancestry of many area families, done searches that are tied to historical events - such as the planting of the first citrus tree, and works with others at the Ventura Family History Center teaching and doing ancestry searches at a nominal fee. The Mormon Church is “digitalizing and indexing” its vast storehouse of records that soon will be offered free online.
“Family is important,” and Robbins said that although as a student she didn’t like studying history, “now I’m a historian.” Everyone can be a historian of his or her own family and pass on the information to the next generations.
“Everyone wants to learn about their family, it’s a reality” that can include finding your own links to the famous and infamous. Either way, noted Robbins, “When you trace your family history you’ll be proud of your family, you’ll be proud of yourself,” no matter the results.
“In the time we’re living in,” past scoundrels and scandals only “add needed spice; food is bland without spice,” as are family histories. And tracing ancestors can have a physical impact, as genetic illnesses can be discovered, valuable information to present and future generations.
Accompanying Robbins to the Rotary presentation were Rosemarie Solomon, also a genealogist, and Ventura County Genealogical Society (VCGS) President Phillip Crow. For more information call the VCGS at 654-1127.
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