In addition to being a great platform for recreating family history, WikiTree is also a brilliant resource for collaborating with others on special community projects. Two such projects currently in the works are for Twins and another for Centenarians.
Our reigning Queen of WikiTree, Joanna Tolson, took the initiative to kick start these pages in an effort to bring together Twins Throughout the Ages and Centenarians: Our Link to Ages Gone By. Wouldn’t it be fascinating to see if there is a deep, historical link to all things twin? Or learning the secrets of living into the truly golden years by connecting with others who are or have known a Centenarian?
If you’d like to take part in these global activities, just create an account and start building your family history. After setting up a twin or centenarian on your tree, you can add these individuals to the respective pages by editing their bios and adding [[Category:Centenarians]] or [[Category:Twins]].
As I was researching the life and family history of the great American artist Norman Rockwell this past week, I came across the cover of the October 24, 1959 edition of the Saturday Evening Post. It featured a symbolic family tree (shown here) created by Mr. Rockwell. At first glance it looked very different from a great many of his works. But upon closer inspection, it was obvious that he was doing what he had often done in so many of his paintings: he was suggesting something powerful through illustrative interpretation. This tree – this glorious, quirky, indifferent tree – was Rockwell’s way of showing the true density of America’s roots and heritage; that people as a race and as a planet of living, breathing creatures are all seemingly connected. Maybe this explains my new-found fascination with genealogy and why I find myself so excited to dive into the life and times of people I never had the pleasure of meeting – Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR), John Jay and, of course, Norman Rockwell.
My experiences here on WikiTree and through exploring the works of Mr. Rockwell have taught me a few things about genealogy. At the end of the day, it’s not just about DNA or one’s chemical makeup. And it’s certainly not about complex trees woven into knotted branches by fancy software or HTML programming. In fact, it’s not even about the possibility of being related to the great Rockwell himself. Genealogy is about simplicity; it’s about relationships and the connections of common man (and woman); that Yankees and Confederates, pirates and preachers all share a common bond. Humanity. It may not always be in the compassionate sense, but from a historical perspective – the people on Rockwell’s tree and yes, even you and I, are somehow connected. That’s genealogy…
About a week ago, I took the plunge and started down the path of reconstructing my family history. As I began entering data into WikiTree (which is really easy to use and navigate), the simplicity of the endeavor became apparent. Creating a family tree was a cinch! I had branches blossoming in a matter of minutes and my family tree was coming to life! No one could stop me now… Boy, was I in for a rude awakening. The second I finished entering data on my immediate family, I found myself wondering who my mother’s mother was and not knowing my father’s mother’s maiden name. So naturally I picked up the phone and called my mother, Christine. She also came up empty handed and could not for the life of her remember small details such as where my father was born or how many siblings her mother had. All she could say was, “Remember the funny aunt? You know, the one that had the camp on the lake. What was her name?” And, “I think your dad was born in the town he was raised in, Trenton, no Freehold, no the other town next to Freehold. Oh, what was it?” Wasn’t that why I was calling her?
So the bottom line is that I am at a point where I cannot go any further without getting my hands on some vital records such as birth certificates. But I have no idea how to go about this. I live in Maine, but my father was born in New Jersey. Can I obtain birth certificates online or do I have to write to a certain government agency? Would Maine have a copy of my dad’s birth certificate? Do they offer a class on Genealogy 101? 
These are all questions that I need to find the answers to. So stay tuned… And if you know a thing or two about genealogy, please feel free to post your thoughts, comments and recommendations below. I need all the help that I can get.
