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We may find out that they came to American because they were being persecuted for their religion or political convictions like the puritans. Or they came because they were just plain hungry and tired of not having enough to eat like the Irish in the 1850's.<br><br>
We may find out that they came to American because they were being persecuted for their religion or political convictions like the puritans. Or they came because they were just plain hungry and tired of not having enough to eat like the Irish in the 1850's.<br><br>


=== Typical day in the life on an ancestor ===
=== Typical day in the life on an ancestor ===


In addition, we might be able to describe a typical day of a father by knowing his occupation and learning how he earned a living. We can describe the typical day of a housewife and mother by knowing the kind of house they lived in, how they cook meals, clean clothes, etc.  
In addition, we might be able to describe a typical day of a father by knowing his occupation and learning how he earned a living. We can describe the typical day of a housewife and mother by knowing the kind of house they lived in, how they cook meals, clean clothes, etc.  


=== Research is not hard ===
=== Research is not hard ===


*Get a general idea of the history of the country where the subject lived or came from to see what influence it had on them and why they may have left it.  
*Get a general idea of the history of the country where the subject lived or came from to see what influence it had on them and why they may have left it.  
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*What did people do for entertainment?
*What did people do for entertainment?


=== This is not an extensive list ===
=== This is not an extensive list ===


I suggest that you read a historical narrative or two and see what was included by the author. Make a list of items covered by the author as he or she covered in their text. Then you'll see what professional look for when creating historical narratives.
I suggest that you read a historical narrative or two and see what was included by the author. Make a list of items covered by the author as he or she covered in their text. Then you'll see what professional look for when creating historical narratives.  


=== 1800 Questions can help ===
=== 1800 Questions can help ===


In addition, you can use the 1800 questions in the [https://wiki.familysearch.org/en/Creating_A_Personal_History/ Creating a Personal History] for other items you might want to research in writing these histories.  
In addition, you can use the 1800 questions in the [https://wiki.familysearch.org/en/Creating_A_Personal_History/Creating A Personal History] for other items you might want to research in writing these histories.  


=== Research ===
=== Research ===


Now this may seem like a lot of work, but it really isn’t. Most of this information can be had from a book or two or from the Wiki on line in just a couple of hours. Just be sure and take notes on those items that may have had a direct influence on the family.  
Now this may seem like a lot of work, but it really isn’t. Most of this information can be had from a book or two or from the Wiki on line in just a couple of hours. Just be sure and take notes on those items that may have had a direct influence on the family.  


=== History of countries. ===
=== History of countries. ===


You should have no difficulty in finding books on every country and time period that ever existed on this earth. There are many books on the family life for the all major historical periods.
You should have no difficulty in finding books on every country and time period that ever existed on this earth. There are many books on the family life for the all major historical periods.  


=== Biographies of historical people ===
=== Biographies of historical people ===


In addition, check out the biographies of people who were from the same time and countryas your ancestor. They will have much information of the life and culture of the period. I think you’ll find that which was once dull history will come alive when your reading is giving you insights to your own ancestors.  
In addition, check out the biographies of people who were from the same time and countryas your ancestor. They will have much information of the life and culture of the period. I think you’ll find that which was once dull history will come alive when your reading is giving you insights to your own ancestors.  


=== Immigrant Ancestors ===
=== Immigrant Ancestors ===


For your immigrant ancestors, you can also repeat these same questions for the area they settled in. You can use these questions until you get to a generation that has written records that you can access. However, you still need to know the history of the area.<br><br>
For your immigrant ancestors, you can also repeat these same questions for the area they settled in. You can use these questions until you get to a generation that has written records that you can access. However, you still need to know the history of the area.<br><br>


And as I've said, most of this information can be had in a couple of books in a few hours of study. Your problem will be that it is hard to quit reading. You'll probably find that you just can’t get enough of those things which you know had a directly effect on your ancestors.
And as I've said, most of this information can be had in a couple of books in a few hours of study. Your problem will be that it is hard to quit reading. You'll probably find that you just can’t get enough of those things which you know had a directly effect on your ancestors.  


<br><br>Of my eight second great grand fathers, seven of them enlisted in the Civil War. The one that did not was an old man in 1861. However knowing this made me pay much more attention to the PBS series “The Civil War” produced by Ken Burns. I could just see my ancestors in the pictures that were shown on the TV screen. <br><br>
<br><br>Of my eight second great grand fathers, seven of them enlisted in the Civil War. The one that did not was an old man in 1861. However knowing this made me pay much more attention to the PBS series “The Civil War” produced by Ken Burns. I could just see my ancestors in the pictures that were shown on the TV screen. <br><br>
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