It is quite amazing to think about how far we have come with technology. Since the creation of the Internet, there have been many changes in the way we shop, research, communicate, and even in how we do family history. More particularly, social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest, have made it easier to write and share content with each other on just about everything, from entertainment to politics, as well as life-changing moments like engagement and pregnancy announcements. In short, there is so much you can do! Let me share a recent example in my family. Names have been changed for privacy reasons.

A few years ago, my grandmother Carol received an email from a lady in Canada regarding some family history being done in Minnesota. The lady, Judy, wanted to know more about the work that Carol had done as she was related to the family. Carol began corresponding with Judy via emails and started including other extended family members in the process. In time, one of Carol’s in-law relatives, Laura, was included in the discussion. Due to some internal family conflict, Laura had initially cut off contact with most of her extended family. However, as she started to get involved in these discussions and collaborations, she had a change of heart and wanted to share her stories, as she was directly related to the people involved.

With help from Judy, Laura started a private Facebook page and invited several of her extended family members to join. Her page consists of sharing photographs and telling stories behind the photographs. These posts reach family members from several places, including Utah, Texas, Nebraska, and even England. Many of these family members have responded very generously and have commented on how amazing it was to see them. It continues to be a great source of unity and love. Recently I spoke with Carol and she commented on how Laura and many family members are being affected by the power that family history brings, even to healing old wounds and relationships.

In a world where so much negativity already exists, now is the time to not only engage in family history work but to also share that with our family members, especially through social media outlets. As you share what you have learned about your family, you will feel a connection to them and to your extended family.

Editor’s Note: A similar experience happened in my extended family, when my mother gave me a box of photographs that I scanned and uploaded to FamilySearch. Cousins found them online and asked for more, and soon there were relatives who were talking with one another again after years of silence.