Hello, I'm David Randall, the Global Genealogist, and I am thrilled to welcome you to my new blog dedicated to genealogy, family history, and the incredible journey of uncovering the past. I am about as close to being a lifelong genealogist as one can get, having begun my family research all the way back in the 1970s when I was still a young teen. Over forty years later, my passion for genealogy remains as strong as ever, and I am excited to share my experiences, insights, and discoveries with you.
When I began my genealogical journey, the process was vastly different from what it is today. Back then, research was conducted with paper and pen, and communication was limited to snail mail—the fastest way to gather resources unless you were fortunate enough to live near a Family History Library, as I was. In those days, research days were spent scrolling through reels of microfilm or scanning microfiche, often straining to make out faint handwriting or faded type. Each new discovery felt like uncovering buried treasure, and the thrill of the hunt was what kept me going.
The advent of the internet revolutionized genealogy. Suddenly, resources that were once scattered across the globe became accessible with a few keystrokes. Even then, research had its challenges. Dial-up internet meant carefully planning our online time so as not to tie up the phone line, and waiting minutes for a single page to load seemed perfectly normal. Platforms like Ancestry and FamilySearch changed the game entirely. What once required years of painstaking effort could now be accomplished in hours, connecting researchers to a world of information that was previously out of reach.
Today, we stand on the brink of yet another revolution: the AI era. The value that artificial intelligence has already brought to the genealogical community is immeasurable. Tools powered by AI can analyze vast amounts of data, recognize patterns, and even transcribe historical documents with remarkable accuracy. This technological leap has not only made genealogy more accessible but has also allowed researchers to uncover connections that might have been impossible to find otherwise.
As I reflect on my own journey, I am continually amazed by how far we have come. Genealogy is no longer just about tracing lineage; it’s about understanding the lives, struggles, and triumphs of those who came before us. It’s about preserving stories and passing them on to future generations. Through this blog, I hope to inspire others to embark on their own genealogical journeys, whether they are seasoned researchers or just starting out.
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