Dallas group to get journalist’s view of genealogy research
The Dallas Genealogical Society will meet 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Feb. 4 in the First Floor Auditorium, J. Erik Jonsson Central Library, 1515 Young Street, Dallas.
Pat Gordon, a former newspaper reporter with The Dallas Morning News and recently retired journalism lecturer at the University of Texas at Arlington, will discuss “Researching Female Ancestors.”
Gordon’s interest in genealogy began in the 1980s when she decided to research her maternal great grandmother who was buried in Colorado after dying from tuberculosis. In addition to online research, Gordon visits courthouses often to learn about the history and places in which her ancestors lived. She also spends time researching library and university archives.
Gordon’s favorite pastime is researching old newspapers to find information about her ancestors and to place them in the social context in their time.
Gordon also served two terms as president and one as vice president for the Fort Worth Genealogical Society.
For more information, visit the society website at dallaslibrary2. org or call J. Erik Jonsson Central Library at (214) 670-1400.
DNA research
Amy Johnson Crow, www.amyjohnsoncrow.com, recently posted information about two research areas that are used to search family histories: genealogy research and DNA research. In her new post “Starting Genealogy with DNA: My Take on It,” Crow emphasizes the importance of researching ancestors before taking a DNA test.
The post provides information about the historical perspective of family research and talks about the different motivations for doing genealogy research: some researchers are interested in proving or refuting a family legend or are interested in the family health history while other researchers are interested in their ethnicity and locating the town of their ancestral home.
For more information and to view the post and other tips on researching your family history, visit Crow’s website at www.amy johnsoncrow.com.
Obviously others in your church believe you’re qualified for this responsibility, or they wouldn’t have chosen you.
Therefore, unless God clearly tells you otherwise, accept it joyfully and see it as an opportunity to serve Christ in this way.
In fact, I’m glad you feel inadequate — because it will make you more dependent on God! In other words, if you thought you had all the answers and always knew exactly what should be done, you’d never feel any need to seek God’s wisdom.
But you and your fellow board members are involved in God’s work, and you need His guidance.
The Bible says, “the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere” (James 3:17). How should you approach this responsibility? First, approach it humbly. Listen to those with more experience; see it as a responsibility that God has given you; avoid any hint of pride.
Second, approach it prayerfully — and encourage others to do the same.
You’ll be making decisions that affect not only your church’s future, but also the spiritual health of every person in your congregation.
Finally, approach it biblically. Study what God says in His Word about spiritual leadership, and seek to put it into action.
Not everyone has been called by God to do what you’ll be doing. But every believer has been called to live for Christ and to serve Him in every way they possibly can — with God’s help.
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