Disappointing

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

I have never really understood being proud of one's allegedly unique and special heritage. All we did to participate in it was to be born, something we had no choice in. Being proud of one's genealogical research is a different story. It often requires a great deal of work over several decades.

As a charter member of "The Lucky Sperm Club" I'd have to respectufully disagree with you.

Pride in the achievements of those ancestors who have gone before (and that includes parents) is, more often than not, the foundation upon which future generations will lay the conerstone of their success. There is a reason why the children of doctors often enter the medical profession: They see what their parents do, are proud of them, and follow in their footsteps. The same holds true with other callings: the military tradition in some families, the political traditions in others, teacing school, running the corner grocery store, tilling the family farm, and a whole lot more; "following in the family footsteps" is down to pride in the successful contributions of ancestors.

My heritage is unique and special. There is no "allegedly" about it. It is as unique and special to me, as yours is unique and special to you. While it's true I didn't have a choice in to whom I was born (no one does), that does not mean that anyone's birth is accidental-- People choose to get married, and choose to have families.

As you say, it can take decades to do genealogical research. To which I would merely add, it takes generations to create the continuity of a family. And that continuity is special and unique whether it is your family, or the family of any other member of this forum.