Christmas Traditions Can Be A Window To Your Ancestors and Geneology!
Posted: Thursday, December 15, 2011
by elle kynzer
As I read the articles on Christmas, and how we each celebrate, or don't, there are obvious links with our ancestors, and the origin of their homeland. Those traditions are part of the ways our families have integrated pieces of their tradition with one another through intermarriage, and a blending of marriages. Even in my own life, because we are usually made up of many nationalities or traditions, it wasn't until after I realized my response to the Christmas assignment by Jack, that I immediately realized this.
When I studied my heritage, it became clear that a majority of it was predominently Northern European Countries mixed with Scandinavian. Scotch-Irish and Wales and a few immigrants from Great Britain; one from possibly Denmark, as we have geneology issues as to origin at times, when spelling is a problem. Then many of the immigrants in my family came to America via unusual circumstances, as early as the 1600s. Most of the families from whom I descend have stayed in the same state for centuries here. The culture mix seen in both sides of my family appear to have been influenced by a variety of countries.
In celebrating on Christmas Eve, that is directly a Scandinavian tradition. Whereas, the low key affair shows Scotland's 400 years of a ban on Christmas tradition. Mistletoe and Holly are used a lot in Mantle decoration here, which is very Irish, along with the Mistletoe kissing business. Of course, Upstate SC is full of trees sporting large clumps of Mistletoe and is just over the state line, so it's easily available.
Church attendance is key for the Irish and Portuguese, and the Portuguese are big on 'Creche' or the "Nativity Scene" complete with wise men, shephards, sheep, and landscapes. Caroling and singing at home, and music are high priorities in Portuguese families, so that fits with my maternal side completely.
So if you want to know 'Why' your family does what it does at Christmas, and other holidays, just look at the Countries your family ancestors immigrated from. Those traditions will give you insight into your family traditions, or lack of them. This was an enlightening research for me. My food preferences could be a learned behavior, or else there is an Italian in my ancestory that I have not yet discovered. Almost everything you need to research ancestory is online, but local libraries are great resources.
I've never been deeply interested in geneology, but after looking at a magazine of women in a particular area of one country about fifteen years ago...and seeing several of the women addressed exactly the way the maternal side women had dressed over the years as I grew up, it was scary. I just thought they were old fashioned, but that wasn't it. Some things are handed down subconsciously, without any knowledge of it's origin. Who knows, you just might be descended from Royalty, even they have a list of illegitimate immigrants to America.
Old photographs of ancestors are a clue, by the way they are dressed, especially military uniforms. Surnames are good for the paternal side, or some countries use the mother's last name at the end. Some cultures use both last names, and old census records may show that. Look for unusual traditions, or talk to older family members, who may save you time in research to find all traditional ties.
Many traditions were dropped, as families blended the ones they cherished into a new family. So you may find some, but not all, celebrations to be complete. If you know your heritage, then it's easier to find what traditions were kept. However, it may take some of you time to read many countries traditions, in order to resolve where your Christmas influences came from. The Christmas tree is not a good tradition to rely on for research, as many nations adopted its use. The lack of it's use would say more about your families nationality. There are several websites that carry different countries Christmas traditions.
This Article has been viewed 186 times. (Not updated in real-time.)
Top-level comments on this article: (1 total)Lots of cool detail. The differences are interesting. The Scottish thing is fascinating. They were very very Catholic remember. Beautiful article.Please log in to respond to this comment.
We want your comments! If you can read this, you don't have javascript enabled, so you can't use this comment system. Please enable javascript.