After retirement, my wife and I took up genealogy. As we expanded our database to over 11,000 relatives, we understood on a visceral level that all humans are related, and that history begins with an understanding of people and families. Now as travelers we are always aware of the contributions of individuals to communities.
But we've discovered that the tools of our trade as genealogists are eroding. Censuses no longer compile detailed personal information on individuals that is valuable to their descendants; local newspapers no longer publish (and even index) long newsy columns of personal information about residents and their friends and families; families today seldom pay for purchasing a cemetery plot and erecting an expensive polished granite monument.
We live in a throwaway world, and it's depressing to think of us throwing away the details of the lives of so many worthwhile and interesting human beings.
Memories need stimulation; one appreciates that obvious truth
as one ages. I wish that we would return to the kind of permanent
human records that used to characterize our society, and imparted such a
human dimension to history.
So in a way it's pleasant to see the frequent memorials erected along our highways to remember the victims of highway accidents. No doubt the highway departments hope to encourage safe driving by reminding us of the perils of the roads, but the brilliant floral embellishments to these roadside markers testify to the love of those left behind.
The start of history is our remembrance of people, family and friends who are no longer living.
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