Granduncle Mark's Genealogy Parlor
Serendipity
A growing number of genealogists are acknowledging that they have had
experiences of success
that are improbable and that they can't explain. For example:
- Effortlessly finding a location that they have never seen, and that they shouldn't
have easily found -- as if they have some kind of genetic memory.
- Running into a distant (and previously unknown)
cousin at a far-away cemetery, even though neither person had been there before
-- as if the meeting had been planned.
- Three people (unknown to each other) showing up at a microfilm
reader (in a city where none of them live), on the same day, at the same time --
each seeking the same common ancestor.
This phenomon is being referred to as 'serendipity.'
Most genealogists have been timid about admitting to such beyond-logic experiences
because, after all, genealogical research is a fact-based research endeavor.
But, as a few researchers started talking about their serendipitous experiences, others are now
sharing their own stories, feeling relieved and validated to learn about the
bizarre breakthroughs of other genealogical researchers.
According to my old Webster's Dictionary
the term serendipity was "coined by Horace
Walpole (c. 1975) after his tale The Three Princess of Serendip (i.e.,
Ceylon), who made such discoveries. An apparent aptitude for making
fortunate discoveries accidentally."
SOURCE: McKechnie, Jean L. (Ed). (1979). Webster's New Universal Unabridged
Dictionary: Deluxe Second Edition. Published by Simon & Schuster, a Division
of Gulf & Western Corporation. New York, NY.
Some of the many reports of serendipity by genealogists clearly convey the
reporter's conclusion that the discovery was more than accidental and too
unlikely for coincidence.
The purpose of this page is not to explain the serendipitous experience.
Instead, I am providing accounts and links so that you can ponder this
mystery yourself.
I've had my own serendipitous experiences ...
I personally recall driving two hours to get to Wolfe Cemetery in Georgetown,
Floyd County, Indiana, getting out of my car and, as if I knew where to go,
walked directly to the graves of my great-great-great-grandfather and
great-great-great-grandmother. There are hundreds of graves from the past
150 years in this cemetery, but I bypassed them all and walked directly to
the ones I was seeking. As I was walking, I did not even think about the fact
that I did not know
where my ancestors were buried. It was as if I had been there before. (I had
never been there.) I also remember that immediately
after walking directly to the graves I asked myself, "How did I do that?"
That illustrates the serendipity experiences described by genealogists.
Almost every genealogist that I know has a similar story of an unlikely
discovery falling into his or her lap, like a gift. The genealogist is left with a
feeling of awe, as if his or her ancestors are helping with the search.
Joanne Rabun of Genealogy Today wrote,
Genealogists often compare almost unbelievable tales about being led to certain
information in some mystical way.
Serendipity ... genealogical discoveries with a little help from above.
Christine Sievers wrote,
"If you have been doing genealogy for any length of time you will have experienced that
wonderful chance happening that has opened up a whole new world."
The following is reported in RootsWeb Review:
IN SEARCH OF OUR ANCESTORS: 101 Inspiring Stories of Serendipity
and Connection in Rediscovering Our Family History -- the
companion book to the television series ...
During her work on the book Smolenyak was struck by the number
of stories conveying random acts of kindness, coincidence,
intuition, and serendipity. She found herself inundated with
stories of distant cousins "coincidentally" meeting while
visiting the cemetery of their ancestors, and she learned of
family photos, papers, and Bibles that were reunited with their
original families under circumstances that boggle the mind.
SOURCE: Previously published by Julia M. Case and
Myra Vanderpool Gormley, CG, Missing Links, Vol. 5, No. 18, 3 May 2000. RootsWeb:
http://www.rootsweb.com/
(Read more about this book at
http://www.rootsweb.com/~rwguide/notable/tv.htm.)
Related web sites about books which are fascinating reading include:
Psychic Roots: Serendipity and Intuition in Genealogy
Psychic Roots is all about the influence of coincidence and serendipity on genealogical research, the
chance combination of events over which the researcher has no control but which nevertheless
guides him to a fortuitous discovery. Certainly chance or dumb luck sometimes leads us straight to
a record kept in an improbable place, to an ancestor's second wife we didn't know anything about,
and so on. Is it luck? Coincidence? In this book, esteemed genealogist Hank Jones tells us about
his own brushes with preternatural experiences, and he has invited other genealogists to share their
experiences as well; thus in these pages we have the insights of well over a hundred respected
ancestor hunters who discuss their experiences in light of synchronicity, intuition, genetic memory,
and serendipity. Their stories fairly crackle with illumination and make a plausible case for the
importance of the sixth sense in genealogical research.
Waking up to invisible around us --
I had always avoided the subject of genealogy as being completely boring. It conjured up visions of
people sitting in libraries for hours and hours going over ancient records trying to find names of their
long-dead ancestors. What a weary way to waste one's days! However, a friend recently put into
my hand Henry Z. Jones' PSYCHIC ROOTS, Serendipity & Intuition in Genealogy. It has totally
changed my views. I was amazed to find success in genealogy often comes from intuition, searching
not with just the mind, but also an open heart, enjoying warm feelings with the desceased. Again
and again in his book, Jones describes how helpful hints, items seemingly droppped from nowhere,
somehow unite the living with the thoughts and deeds of the departed. As the author concludes:"I
do believe that our ancestors have no wish to be forgotten: they want to be found." And I would
add, our ancestors have been over and about us since we were born, seeking to lead us into ever
greater dimensions. Genealogy can open the doors to deeper understanding of our larger family "in
the beyond," but still close in influence and love. Don't miss this book. It will open your heart to
ancestors who are as close as breathing.
More Pyschic Roots: Further Adventures in Serendipity & Intuition in Genealogy
Like the original volume, More Psychic Roots contains a collection of stories and experiences
contributed by genealogists the world over--hobbyists as well as professionals. Thus in these pages
we have the insights of 225 ancestor hunters from such countries as Canada, Mexico, Germany,
England, Australia, New Zealand, and, of course, the U.S.A.--all of whom discuss their
experiences in light of synchronicity, intuition, genetic memory, and serendipity. If you liked the first
volume, you will positively delight in this sequel, which is guaranteed to enliven the debate about
serendipity and intuition in genealogy.
Extremely interesting and thought provoking.
I have never been into genealogy, but this book gave me a lot of thoughts about odd things that
have happended to me over the years. Many times I just thought they were "Meer Coincidences",
now I am truly wondering if there was not more involved. This book was loaned to me by a friend
who is very "into genealogy research". I thought that this was not my type reading material, but I did
not want to offend her. Once I picked the book up and started reading, I could not put it down !!
For a fascinating perspective on genealogy with a purpose, visit
Whatever the explanation for the frequent occurance of unexpected and unlikely genealogical
breakthroughs, I hope that such thrilling events will happen for you!
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