It occurred to me that in the same way we use census data collected 100 years ago to trace our ancestry and family history, our great grandchildren may have access to the data being collected by Google and Apple and the Government about us now.
The Tinder account you had while married.
The location tracking data that puts you at a specific event like a civil rights protest or January 6th or even a major concert or sporting event.
The contacts that were stored on your phone and all of the emails and texts you sent and received.
Your photographs of cats, bags of weed, and yourself.
AI generated versions of your voice.
You may not be an important historical figure but your descendants will have more information about you than any descendants of royalty have now.
Proud to report that two of my ancestry theories on different trees have now been proven by DNA.
In one case it was an obscure link where a grandson named his child after his grandfather's uncommon nickname.
In the other case, the family story was they originated from Guernsey when in fact they came to Canada from the United States. Found that through sale of a ship.
It is so thrilling when this happens! Go back far enough, and we're all connected some how.
For buying a home, paying debt, estate planning, life insurance, tuition, or starting a business. 100 folks each year through 2031. Annual window ends July 28.
10 Million Names is building a free public database of enslaved people of African descent in what's now the US (1500-1865). A network of genealogists, cultural orgs, & historians to connect with people inquiring about family history. Data entry began in August & will grow.