For many Pagans, the ancestors are an important part of our spirituality. They are a symbol of where we come from; whether biologically, culturally, or spiritually. They are also often looked to as spiritual beings who may look after us, whom we may build relationships with and ask for assistance from in our lives.
Ancestry is also important to those of other faiths in their mundane genealogy quests. For some, it’s simply an interesting hobby to find out information about who came before them. An aunt of mine has put quite a lot of work into our family tree. She’s found confirmation of family stories, as well as information nobody still living had known of.
Researching genealogy is one way that spiritual practice and mundane hobbies may overlap. (Although, for Pagans, the “mundane” is often very spiritual.)
It seems to me that Americans may have a somewhat complicated relationship with ancestry. Even the many who are privileged enough to have access to ancestral records are often distant from the ancestral heritages we boast of having. Irish-Americans sometimes don’t understand Irish culture or even realize Irish/ Gaeilge is a language, for instance. Many other Americans don’t even have the privilege of knowing where their ancestors came from. We have our American regional cultures, but that’s not always enough to resolve the disconnect we feel with our ancestors.
As one who has an interest in ancestry, I sometimes question why my ancestor’s origins should matter to me. Most were immigrants (read: colonists) from various countries hundreds of years ago, a very small few were native to these lands or kidnapped. I can’t claim any of their heritages as my own. Being white, I especially can’t rightfully claim the heritage of my distant Indigenous or African ancestors. So is there something I can learn from them? What have they passed down to me through the generations? How did their cultures influence Appalachian culture and, thus, the lives of my family?
Sometimes studying genealogy can help us to understand our regional cultures, family traditions, even traits (toxic and otherwise) passed down in the family. Sometimes it can just be fun. The stories we may find can be weird, tragic, or just interesting.
In our searches, it’s important to be sensitive to any cultures our ancestors may have hailed from. Being proud of where your family comes from is one thing, disrespecting the people who are still there by making claims to a culture you know little to nothing about is another. In relation, it’s also important not to raise the status of your ancestors above others. That should go without saying. If we’re going to seek the ancestors, we should also try our best build our understanding of them.
Ælfbear Muses 