> ...well, it's rather hard to explain the draw of genealogy.
I've noticed people becoming more interested in genealogy when they - let me phrase this delicately - reach a certain age. My speculation is that it is a component of grappling with one's own mortality. As the grays and wrinkles multiply, some obsess over healthy eating and exercise, some wealthier ones invest in immortality research, some get blood boys, and the rest feel an urgent need to research our genealogy; any detritus that shows our progenitors existed proves some trace of us having been here will remain, and perhaps our existence means something, as time cruelly keeps marching on.
People's interests change over time. It's not necessarily because folks are grappling with their own mortality. For instance, lots of older folks seem to get into bird watching.
I also want to point out that saying "let me phrase this delicately" to the person who is the subject of the sentence is not tactful. It's honestly kind of rude when you're on the receiving end. If you're going to judge me to my face, just say the words.
A lot of young people who don't know their ancestors are interested in genealogy. (Adoption, immigration, war refugee). People who have so much genealogy already built into their life via a large family don't need to be consciously into genealogy, because they're already immersed.
I've noticed people becoming more interested in genealogy when they - let me phrase this delicately - reach a certain age. My speculation is that it is a component of grappling with one's own mortality. As the grays and wrinkles multiply, some obsess over healthy eating and exercise, some wealthier ones invest in immortality research, some get blood boys, and the rest feel an urgent need to research our genealogy; any detritus that shows our progenitors existed proves some trace of us having been here will remain, and perhaps our existence means something, as time cruelly keeps marching on.