Organization: CompSofTech, POB 33937, San Antonio, Texas 78265-3937
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Date:         Sun, 3 Jan 1993 17:27:50 -0600
Reply-To:     Cliff Manis <cmanis@CSOFTEC.CSF.COM>
From:         Cliff Manis <cmanis@CSOFTEC.CSF.COM>
Subject:      Re: Royalty GEDCOM & 'of lowly means'
Comments: To: Genealogy Information <ROOTS-L@VM1.NoDak.EDU>

Steven and the group:

Reference part of this message:on Sun, 3 Jan 1993 16:22:37 ADT
by holloway@ESSEX.STFX.CA
> First of all, I don't think I was attracted to this racket (genealogy)
> because of any interest in "breeding" or my own genetic background.
> (Sometimes I hope I got nothing in common w/my immediate kin!)

I feel exactly the same way, and I'm sure my Dad did also, because he
even changed the spelling of his name to distance himself(somewhat)
from the rest of his family after his father died.  As a teenager I
used to wonder why all my cousins spelled their surname as "Manes",
and when about 15 years of age, I started checking on some of the
family history, doing a project on our family tree for a civics class
in high school.

> 1) Rich people seem to leave a heck of a lot more documentation
> about their lives.  Just a few generations back, nearly all my
> ancestors are farmers of whom I have very little knowledge.  Many lines
> just go nowhere: people too poor to leave any paper trace (or even
> in a few cases maybe hiding out from past misdeeds.)   (I'd be curious
> to know if other readers share my deduction here for those difficult
> ancestors being probably "of lowly means.")

Depression and Hard times....

Exactly, and my family does not even need to go back but one generation
to see this "lowly means" as a way of living, because my father was
working in Detroit all during the Depression, for $2 and $3 per day
and I have heard him talk many, many times about the HARD times
during that era, with little or nothing to eat, and work just enough
to have food and a place to stay.  Those were not the "Good ole days".

During and after the Depression he was a machinist and later worked
for Union Carbide (Nuclear Energy) at the Oak Ridge, Tennessee.
Even then times were hard and I did not see him for weeks at a time
because in the early 40's they were working many hours of overtime.
Yes, I remember these days of the early 40's ! ! ! and my father
not being home much of the time.

I am the first person in our large family to ever research our surname
(Manes and Manis), even though some of the aunts say that there was
some interest, but it was never written.

My father was very cautious of anyone (including me) who asked him
questions about his younger life, and most of the time just telling
them nothing or changing the subject.

That's enough for now....

I do enjoy working my family history as a hobby and helping others
as a profession.

Good luck to all during this new year.

   later..cliff
--
Cliff Manis            K4ZTF           Manis/Manes Family History
Researching: MANIS MANES MANESS MANAS WHITEHORN CANTER BIRD CORBETT NEWMAN
    USMAIL:   P. O. Box 33937, San Antonio, Texas  78265-3937
               INTERNET: cmanis@csoftec.csf.com
Standard Disclaimer:  We are not associated with anyone. (PERIOD). (.)
--