Why we do Genealogical Research

Dear Nuestros Ranchos Members,

I just had to share this feel good story with those who would understand.

This morning after coming back from the Gym, I was making breakfast and the phone rang. My Grandson answered the phone and it was someone speaking in Spanish to him, which is not all that unusual but he immediately passed it to me.

I answer and the man's voice says in spanish, eres Alicia and I say yes, he says, me llamo Rigoberto Ruiz y hablo de Jalpa Zacatecas. My mind is trying to register who is Rigoberto Ruiz. He then says, soy Primo hermano de tu mama y hablo para darte las Gracias. Translation is I'm your mother's first cousin and I'm calling from Jalpa Zacatecas and I'm calling to thank you.

My mind is still not registering as I've never met a Rigoberto Ruiz from Jalpa Zacatecas. I begin to ask him questions such as how are we related, how did you know who I am and how to reach me etc etc. He gave a good answer!!

Two years ago I met a young man, his wife and family from Fresno Calif. Turns out he's my third cousin and he had recently gone to Jalpa to visit his family.

When I met them, they came to the house, I gave them copies of all my research of the Ruiz family. Most people don't really get it,(Genealogy) nor do they care, but he did. We talked a great deal about the Ruiz genealogy and he seemed to treasure the Genealogy charts. He shared details about the Ruiz family that I treasured

When this cousin Ruben went to Jalpa this spring, he shared the Genealogy charts with his uncle Rigoberto. His uncle said he'd been wondering for years about his ancestors, he said with his voice cracking a bit that he just had to call and thank me for doing all this research and for providing it to him and the family.
I told him that I look forward to meeting him and all my aunts, cousins and uncles some day soon.

Thought it was worth sharing, especially for those who are beginning their research and at times may feel that it's sooo time consuming and not worth the trouble. It's moments like this that makes it so worthwhile.

Alicia,
San Jose, Calif