Importance of knowing your heritage

One of my grandmothers was born in Pakistan (!) though of English descent, but all I know is one line of one side (paternal), and it is northern Irish descent before about 1810, followed by 50 years in Scotland before heading to Australia. Spiritual unknowns aside, I guess there could be some experiential (cultural) heritage passed on through epigenetic coding in the nervous system;
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epigenetics_in_learning_and_memory

I never had any interest beyond the stories told me when I was really young (WW2, how things were in the early 20th century etc, nothing religious though) and it was only in the last couple of years that I felt like diving into the deep past to associate some concept of personal roots. I'm not sure it's given me much anything beyond those crafted associations though, not to belittle those as the concept is a deep one which can be used to really define ourselves if we want. Strong associations to ones heritage reminds me of religion quite a bit!?

One of my ancestors was the very first male witch in the Salem Witch Hunt to be accused and crushed between stones. The one that shouted "More weight!"

My grandmother makes her life out of geneolgy, it is part of a great tradition in the LDS (Mormon) community. I even have a GIANT 3 ring binder with loads of historical findigs on my bloodline.

Its important to me.

Just as Jedi History is important to me.

Important dosn't = The shaping of one's life. It just means it holds value to that individual and why not? We all have things we enjoy. History of things that are close to me such as Family both in blood and in life are of great significance to me.

I know that my heritage is Welsh and Italian. More correctly Welsh Celt and Sicilian. This means that far back I descend from the Celtic warriors that fought the Roman legions as well as the Spartans/Athenians and then Roman Empire that ruled Sicily. This warrior culture is a source of inspiration for me to never let myself give up or give in. Its a source to look at when things are hard.

Its not something that rules my life but something that works as a source of reflection for hard times. Which I think is important but not vital.

I've researched some of my family tree on my father's side... my family were travelling carnival people, and the things that I feel a connection to have nothing to do where they came from.. but what they did, what they were like. My family travelled... who can say that they belonged here or there.. When my grandad tells stories about my great great great grandad paying his son in pennies for his half of their cinema, or when one of them rode of the wall of death, or managed the tallest man in the world... these are the things that matter for me. I'm not fussed on where my dna tells me I came from, connection to a place is merely accident of birth... connection with people is built, is remembered, is passed on.

I'm curious but I watched hunting down family files, headstones, pictures, and the like consume someone to the point they ignored their living family. So it's a bit bitter. I looked up our family crests because I have a thing for emblems and symbols but that's as much as I've done. I've heard I have German/Irish, and my married name is Polish but that's the extent of my knowledge.

For me it's important, just to fill curiosity about the roots of my family.
I started a genealogical tree and I have discovered that my father has arabic heritage and my mother on the other hand has celt heritage, so I have a really nice and interesting mixture in my blood :laugh: .