When introduced to you in a social situation, the genealogist's first comment is a question about how you spell your last name. May 2001, Frytown, Illinois. Try bringing out some old photographs or documents at a party. Most people you spot in a cemetery look sad. The genealogists stand out because they are the ones jumping up and down and clapping their hands in front of gravestones.
Many genealogists make a jingling sound when the walk.
This is apparently caused by carrying many dimes and quarters. Because the octogenerian genealogist in your family is confused by the new stereo system, the microwave and the VCR, you marvel at how adept he is at e-mail. And, you're really humbled when he has to explain computer databases to you. You've worked in the same office with the genealogist for 3 years and she still calls you by the wrong name sometimes. You are proudly showing your children's latest school photographs to the family genealogist when she suddenly becomes solemn, asking when you're going to record the names and dates on the back side of those photographs.