A workshop entitled ‘Family Tree: Searching For Our Roots’ took place
Each of our stories begins with our own family’s past. The historical upheavals of the last century resulted in severed family ties, lost family archives and documents, and, frequently, the deliberate concealment of facts that might harm future generations. As a result, most of us know our family history only as far back as two or three generations: we remember the names of our grandfathers, grandmothers and, sometimes, great-grandfathers, but know almost nothing about those who lived before them. Along with their names, the memory of entire generations of our ancestors, their lives, traditions and experiences has disappeared. That is precisely why more and more people today are seeking to trace their family line to recover names, stories, and a connection to their own roots.
In response to this demand, on 27 June, the Holodomor Museum presented its new workshop, ‘Family Tree: Searching for Our Roots’, to visitors. Roman Moldavskyi, Senior Research Fellow in the Department of Oral History of the Holodomor and PhD in History, led it.
“Studying and tracing your roots allows you to uncover the stories of the people who made your family what it is today, to feel the connection between generations, and to gain a fresh perspective on your own history. After all, by learning about our family’s past, we gain a better understanding of ourselves, appreciate our ancestors’ experiences, and preserve memories that shouldn’t get lost. Every genealogical study helps to preserve not only national memory, but also weaves the history of an individual family into the broader historical context of events,” emphasised Roman Moldavskyi.
At the workshop, he explained where to start your research, which resources to use, what to look for in archives, how to organise and document the information collected, and how to apply the knowledge gained to further research. The researcher also offered practical advice that will be useful to both beginners and experienced researchers.
The event was a wonderful opportunity not only to gain new knowledge, but also to ask the expert questions and discuss current challenges in research. Stay tuned for our announcements and join us for future events!
