WHAT ARE YOUR ROOTS?

I decided to write this essay during a conversation with a mortgage bank’s representative, who has an Armenian last name. She told me that her family came from Iran and that her husband speaks Russian. This would not be surprising if her husband was born in the former Soviet Union. Turned out that his grandparents were born in Armenia, but then had to run from the Russians to Harbin, China. Ironically, there were no Armenian schools, but they had Russian schools there. Later on, her family moved to Iran, and eventually to the United States, but his Russian language remained.

I like to watch the PBS series, “Finding your roots”. The host, Henry Louis Gates, Jr. discusses his guests’ histories and findings from where their ancestors came to America. It is fascinating how his team’s researchers find all of the information. His guests’ reaction to the events connected to their relatives they had no idea existed was especially emotional. We live in the times when people intermarry. And many times the new generation does not know their family’s roots.

Most of the people who live in our country have roots in other parts of the world. And you do not need to be a known person to find out what your roots are. Of course, you can find out about your relatives through ancestry.com or 23andme.com, but I would additionally suggest asking close relatives about their life story. I personally have many questions, but unfortunately, there is no one alive who can give me the answers.

I like to photograph the roots of trees. They look intricate and beautiful, to what these three images can attest.

Enjoy and Share with a Friend!