Fishing and Genealogy

Fishing is synonymous with genealogy! I made this interesting discovery recently when chatting with my 83-year-old Mom. She had just returned from fishing near her home in Virginia Beach. We talked about how relaxing it was for her and how happy I was that she had the opportunity for a break from caring for her niece and doing something she loved. She commented, “It’s just like you and your genealogy.”

I have always compared genealogy to scavenger hunting, but my Mom's analogy was certainly interesting. The more I gave it some thought, the more I realized that a true fisherman has the desire—almost need—to go fishing whenever an opportunity presents itself. Sports fishermen love what they do and are driven by the anticipation of catching a fish and the glorious high they experience when reeling it in. With each telling of the big catch, the fisherman gets to relive the same thrill of the catch all over again.

Sound familiar?

Genealogists likewise experience the desire—almost need—to go searching for information whenever the opportunity presents. Genealogists love what they do and are driven by the anticipation of finding data and the glorious high they experience when retrieving long-lost information. With each telling or sharing of the big find, the genealogist can relive the same thrill of the search all over again.

Did you ever notice how freely genealogists and fishermen share the story of their catches with complete strangers? Those who just happen to be in the vicinity when the big catch is reeled in or the information is located get to hear all about it and share in the excitement. Fishermen congratulate each other on their catches, just the same as genealogists congratulate each other on their finds.

Fishermen endure cold, rain, and wind for the love of fishing, even if they return home empty-handed most of the time.

Genealogists endure long hours of sitting at microfilm readers or computers in libraries and repositories, even if they, too, return home empty-handed most of the time.

The biggest difference between fishermen and genealogists is that fishermen often exaggerate about the size of their catch, whereas genealogists get the facts straight and cite sources.

Being with like-minded folks who understand the euphoria when one makes a haul or finds the mother lode of genealogical gems is always pleasurable. My Mom and I may pursue different passions, but we both reap the same reward of anticipation and discovery—and just plain fun—when pursuing our hobbies.

I just can’t eat my catches!

You might be a genealogist if . . .

You may be addicted to genealogy if . . .


you'd rather go to a cemetery than a mall

you brake for libraries

you hyperventilate at the site of an old cemetery

you think every home should have a microfilm reader

you know every town clerk in your state by name

you get locked in the library overnight and never even notice

you are more interested in what happened in 1667 than 2009

you store your clothes under your bed because the closet is carefully stocked with notebooks and journals

you can pinpoint Harrietsham, Hawkhurst, and Kent on a map of England, but cannot locate Lincoln, Nebraska

you've traced some of your ancestors back to Adam and Eve, have it documented, and still do not want to quit.