If you're a genealogist, you probably find yourself caught up in the past as you search for your ancestors and discover the stories of their lives. Genealogy certainly brings the past to life, but perhaps you don't realize how much your favorite hobby can affect your present and your future. Read on to learn more.

Genealogy for the Past

As a genealogist, you spend plenty of time focusing on the past. You hunt for historical records that can tell you the names and vital statistics of your ancestors. You piece together information from multiple sources to fill out your family tree. You probably even learn about the places your ancestors lived, the professions they practiced and the historical events they lived through. All of this makes history come to life as the stories grow and the details pile up.

All of this research gives a genealogist a unique connection to the past and a view of history that is deep and broad and rich. History is not a dull textbook or a boring lecture. It's about the people who lived it and about their choices, struggles, triumphs and joys. This is the heart of genealogy.

Genealogy for the Present

Genealogy, however, can also have a major impact on the present. First, with the rise of genetic genealogy, you can find relatives you never knew you had, and this can lead to remarkable discoveries and friendships. Genetic genealogy uses DNA to trace ancestry far back beyond the paper trail and to connect people who share strands of DNA and are genetic cousins. You might consider doing a DNA analysis as part of your research, but take the time to learn about this method first and to understand what it does and does not reveal and even find out who discovered DNA.

Your dedication to genealogy with its in-depth research can also impact other areas of your life. Think for a moment of the skills you've developed by doing genealogy. You've learned how to critically evaluate information, solve problems, read and interpret documents, organize data and present your findings to others. In fact, you might even have strengthened some family ties by sharing the history you've learned with your relatives. People you've never spent much time with might turn out to be kindred spirits as you study your shared heritage.

Genealogy for the Future

Genealogy is not just for the past and the present. It's also for the future. The research you're doing today will pass down through the generations and teach your descendants about their priceless heritage. You're collecting information and telling stories that can impact the lives of generations after you. This in itself is a wonderful reason to do genealogy.

What's more, you might consider training a few future genealogists right now. If you have kids (or cousins, nieces or nephews), get them involved in your research. Start with stories, for nearly every kid loves a good story. You could tell them all about a Native American ancestor or about a several-greats-grandfather who fought in the Civil War or the Revolutionary War. Let your eager listeners ask questions, and then invite them to help you discover the answers.

When you've gotten the kids hooked, show them how you research. You might have them sit with you as you search for the name of one of your ancestors. Let them see the historical documents that come up, and challenge them to read those documents. Show them historic photographs, too, so that they can put faces together with names and dates. If you make genealogy interesting for kids now, you might just end up with future genealogists on your hands or even future historians, researchers and writers.

Genealogy isn't just about the past. While history and its wonders play a major role in your research, you're also building skills and making connections in the present, and if you pass on your research, you can make a huge impact on the future, too.