There are many advantages for keeping a journal. Write about your life now, while it's fresh, and it may give you a better insight on who you are. You have permission to publish this article in its entirety as long as the bylines are included. A courtesy copy of your publication would be appreciated. Please inform writer of your use. mailto:piercejam@sbcglobal.net

We all want to know where we come from and who are ancestors were. But many of us have yet to get past staring at a blank family tree.

You've begun delving into your family history. You've already filled in all the names of your great-grandparents on your family tree. But before you push further back, why not stop and really get to know these people? After all, that's the purpose of tracing your family roots: knowing more about your ancestors.

The first censuses listed each head of household by name and gave the number of free white persons and slaves in the household. Beginning in 1810, these counts were divided by age group and gender.

Recently, the Latter-day Saint church provided Larry King with a copy of his family history during his evening TV show. King commented that although he had received many gifts during his life, he would cherish the gift of his family lineage above all the rest.