The Tables Are Turned: Matthew Poe Interviews Dick Eastman

If you have been reading this newsletter for a while, you may know that Roots Television and I have found many interesting genealogists. I have been fortunate enough to interview a number of people as the video cameras rolled. Together, Roots Television and I have traveled the world to capture the thoughts and images of many genealogists and other experts in related topics.

At the recent Southern California Genealogy Jamboree in Burbank, California, Roots Television turned the tables on me, and I became the interviewee. Matthew Poe interviewed me on Roots Television. I must say that I enjoyed being on “the other side” of an interview.

Matthew Poe is a new member of the Southern California Genealogical Society. It looks like he is going to be a voice for a whole new generation of genies. He is good at what he does on camera. I suspect you will see him in a number of new videos.

You can watch Matthew Poe's interview of me at: http://rootstelevision.com/players/player_conferences.php?bctid=1641902875

Comments

[Penny in Texas]

Great interview, Dick! I enjoyed seeing it. Do you think genealogical DNA tests will become less expensive as they become more and more popular?

[Loran Braught]

As a true amateur genealogist of rather moderate skills and experiences, I have been asked to present to my local genealogy society (www.inwvgs.org) some ideas on a topic of "What Will Happen to My Genealogy Collection?". So few of us have relatives who are interested researching their family history, which is a bit of a disappointment and quandry. Most genealogists emotionally value the efforts, time, money, and skills we have devoted to those files and piles, so we can not help but wish there were grateful heirs to our collections. While we feel the thrill of the hunt and the amazament at the history never imagined in any history class that did not mention our ancesters who we discover were actually there in those events, we can not help but wish others would treasure our data, images, personal items, and stories nearly as much as we have come to treasure.

So, when our day is done, what will happen to that inheritance that surrounds our thoughts and hours of research on line or on the road? So many old family photos, letters, personal ancestor items, and documents have been trashed as worthless, but we know these collections are priceless. How can we at least minimize the predictions that our genealogy collections will be burned or boxed up for the garbage man to cart off to forever gone?

I submit that sales people with valuable items do not wait for the day of the sale to solicity and build customers, so they may have at least part of the answer to our question. Start building the interest, value, and desire in our collection immediately and steadily.

This comment is far too limited in space to consider detailing how we can create eager heirs, so here I merely plant the seed that the sales person approach is a good beginning thought for preserving our genealogy way beyond our time of researching. Instead of leaving a junk pile, create a desireable trophy while we are creating our collection. I am finding that it really does not take much more time, talent, quipment or effort than we need to do the collection of information and images we need anyway. It is mostly a decision in formatting with enticing presentation elements. Like advertising, develop pieces of interest aimed at the prospective buyers in advance like they build interest in the coming sale day.

Watching the Rootstelevision interviews stimulated my interest in highlighting that when we see bits of interesting items we begin to peek into the possibilities of wanting more. Seeing how easy it is to absorb new thoughts that are packaged with some preparation and some relativity can have the impact of hooking us into anticipating the next of a series; chapter by chapter until we want the book for ourselves.

Why do we start, enjoy, and prize our genealogy? A variety of answers might fit the response. Why do we hope our genealogy will endure? Because we treasure it; pure and simple. How do we entice others to treasure it? Make them see the value that we know. They may even decide to carry on and enhance that treasure long after we retire from our research. But we have some satisfaction from knowing that we started building the treasure for them. What rare treasures would you wish your ancestors had left for you (besides assets that I could get for myself and not really all that rare)?

[Martha Beamon]

I too wonder who will take over. Where the interest lies.
and how can someone in family become interested. I play my cards while I am here. Trying to edge them into to stories and favorite people on the side of family. Trying to coaxed them into the areas of personally reading thease quotes and quix of past life and the present which will become the past eventually.

I seemed to have made it so interesting for my time period here on earth that at one time it was just listening but now the fire has gotten bigger and they are asking to personally read the materials.

This seem to have gotten their attention moreso. Don't know for sure but I have stated this is a great honor to learn from slavery on to the present.

Sometime I believe we have to strike oil by presenting
exciting KEY, words to get people involved, Being so personally involved that the fire is spreading and the one particular person is much excited. One of the gr. children very close to me. Worth continued encouragement. Who knows? I feel it has become addicting to me. They say there excited and are starting to talk about how to research.

[Betty Schulz]

Hi,
I too worry about who or where my genealogical work will end up after I'm gone. I've asked my family to please at least to donate my collection of books and trees to the genealogical library where our family originated. I've named the place and address in my will, and left money for it to be sent to them. I pray that my direct descendants will be interested in having my work, and expanding it, but just in case, at least it won't go in the trash, and someone can appreciate the work and use it.

[Dick Eastman]

---> Do you think genealogical DNA tests will become less expensive as they become more and more popular?

Yes.

Ten years ago, a DNA test costs thousands of dollars. Today it is $100 to $300, depending upon how extensive a test you order. I suspect that price will drop further as the technology improves.

- Dick Eastman